Kidnapped | summary

The poem Kidnapped, written by Ruperake Petaia in 1980, reflects the poet’s own experiences, as he serves as the lyrical speaker. The poem portrays Petaia as a young Samoan boy caught in the grip of British colonization. The setting appears to be around World War II, as historical figures such as Hitler and Churchill are referenced in the third stanza.

Petaia conveys feelings of indoctrination within a foreign educational system, mourning the erosion of Samoan traditions and culture due to British influence.

The theme of ancestry highlights the role of generational support in education, showing how grandparents' sacrifices for school fees may cause emotional conflict for children, even though these sacrifices come from love and a desire to secure a better future. This is illustrated in the line: “Mama and papa loved their son and paid ransom fees.”

Identity is explored through the loss of cultural heritage as a Samoan student, forced to adapt to an unfamiliar language and culture in a foreign educational setting.

Culture, encompassing elements such as music, fashion, arts, language, and values, is another central theme. The poem emphasizes how cultural displacement affects a Samoan student’s educational journey, as reflected in the line: “Each time mama and papa grew poorer and poorer.”

The concept of place is also significant, representing the connection between people and their land. The poem illustrates the experience of a Samoan student navigating a Western education system, symbolized by the imagery: “I was held in a classroom guarded by Churchill and Garibaldi pinned up on the wall and Hitler and Mao dictating from the other, Guerara pointed a revolution at my brains from his Guerilla warfare.”