Similarities

Both poems share a common element of war or injustice. In Carter’s This Is The Dark
Time My Love, the poem is written in a timeframe when Carter hopes for the indolence of his
motherland Guyana. Meanwhile, in Brutus’ It Is The Constant Image of Your Face, the poem is
written in pro-apartheid South Africa during which Brutus campaigns for the end of apartheid.
Both personas are being oppressed by various agents in their various settings (countries).
Carter by the British Colonists and Brutus by the White Afrikaans.
Both personas are highly patriotic their own regard. Their ulterior object is the liberation
or betterment of their respective countries.
Additionally, - if one were to assume Carter was writing to a woman or lover* - both
poems share a common theme of love. This is seen when Carter addresses the
reader/audience as ‘my love’. In Brutus’ It Is The Constant Image of Your Face, the persona
constantly makes reference to his lover in an apologetic tone.

IT IS THE CONSTANT IMAGE OF YOUR FACE THIS IS THE DARK TIME MY LOVE

Theme of war and injustice. Theme of war and injustice.

Oppressed by White Afrikaners. Oppressed by British Colonists.

Persona is highly patriotic. Persona is highly patriotic.

Common theme of love. Common theme of love.*

Differences
One key difference to be noted is the type of conflict across the two poems. In Carter’s
This Is The Dark Time My Love, he addresses his lover and informs of her of all the dangers
and perils in his homeland of British Guiana. It must be noted that the type of conflict in this
poem is of an external nature. (Persona vs. British) Whereas, the persona in It Is The Constant
Image of Your Face occurs between the persona, his lover, and his country. As such, the
persona is faced with an inward crisis which tests his loyalties towards either his lover and
country. However, in the second piece, Carter is facing no such internal crisis.

IT IS THE CONSTANT IMAGE OF YOUR FACE THIS IS THE DARK TIME MY LOVE

Different type of conflict. (Persona vs. Lover vs. Different type of conflict. (Persona vs. Country)
Country)

Oppressed by British Colonists.

Persona is highly patriotic. Persona is highly patriotic.

Common theme of love. Common theme of love.*