The word "ambush" suggests a situation of being trapped and unable to escape. Throughout the poem, this feeling of entrapment or siege is, strong. This entrapment is symbolically represented by the land which is itself a metaphor for oppression. The land is likened to "a giant whale" that thwarts fishermen's endeavours. To ensure that the angler makes no catch, the whale swallows not only the hook, line and sinker, but also the bait. This is a
poignant expression of the total hopelessness of the fisherman's situation. In the end, the "fishers turn home" in "empty ships" with their desires or dreams unfulfilled.
Their quest has been futile, made so by the destructive act of the "giant whale". The metaphor does not end there. From this marine image the poet moves to one of land. The land, as metaphor for a crushing society, is compared to "a sabre-toothed tiger". The man-eating animal frightens all without exception. All are eager to flee from the roaring tiger to the security of self-preservation. However, no one dare step out of doors, particularly when it is dark. The fear imposed by the tiger cripples the people's desire to pursue their separate ambitions. In the unfortunate circumstance, the remaining escape route is by air. Yet, even there, there is the threat of the "giant hawk". As it circles the land, the hawk, with its panoramic view, is said to court "unceasing disaster", hooting as it hovers.
These activities of the hawk are intimidating and anyone wishing to leave the land is cowed into giving up the quest. The combined effect of the predators' determination to prevent any improvement in the people's life is that no one can leave the unpromising land. The land ensures that no one leaves or escapes from the drudgery of insufficiency for other lands that hold promise for those desirous to leave. Thus, the title of the poem, together with the treatment of the theme of frustration, appropriately underscores the plight of a people whose own land denies them fulfilment. It seals off all the avenues of release and escape for them.
Points to note:
(a) An explanation and interpretation of the term ambush.
(b) The land as metaphor for an oppressive society.
(c) (i) The agents of the oppression — giant whale, the hawk and the tiger. (ii) The sealed-off avenues of escape — sea, land and air.
(d) The culminating effect of all these as they frustrate all dreams of escape/success.