Literature in English

Unit 9: Key aspects of drama

Activity 1

In your small groups:

a. Discuss what makes a play.

b. Discuss what makes a play interesting.

This Unit seeks to explore the different aspects of drama which include: plot, setting, characters, themes, messages, dramatic techniques (dialogue, monologue, soliloquy, body language, flashbacks, asides, entrance/exit, props, costumes) and plot development tableaux.

Activity 2

The following excerpt is from Voice of the People by Okiya Omtatah Okoiti. Read it individually in your spare time and retell the story in your own words to your group.

   Plot

Plot refers to the arrangement and unfolding of events from the beginning to the end of a play. In arranging events and incidences in a play, the playwright strives to show their impact on the various characters. As you study a play, you will notice that each event occurs for a reason. The action flows logically and we are able to explain why various characters react the way they do.

      In patterning the events, the playwright utilises various techniques to create a sense of suspense. Some events shatter our expectations and maintain our interest in the play. As readers, we keep asking the question: What will happen next?

      In your study of plays, it is therefore important for you to ask yourself the following questions as you read on: What makes the various characters react the way they do? What makes them to behave the way they do? If you respond effectively to these questions then you will have mastered the play’s plot.

 Types of plot

There are two types of plots: simple plot and complex plot.

      A simple plot is linear and focuses on one conflict and traces its development and resolution. This plot has few characters and almost all events directly impact on the major characters. A simple plot is most common in short stories.

      A complex plot has a several conflicts which are logically developed leading to a resolution of all of them. A complex plot has many characters and it seems like a series of short stories interwoven together.

Practice Exercise 1

a. In groups, write the plot of the play excerpt that you read at the beginning of this Unit.

b. Appoint a group secretary to read the plot you come up with to the class.

Setting

Activity 3

a. Tell your desk mate or class mate, where you were yesterday after school.

b. Now tell her or him where you are now and what time it is.

Activity 4

The excerpt below is from a play entitled Aminata by Francis Imbuga. Read it in pairs. Pay close attention to the words at the beginning of the scene. Thereafter, tell your desk mate where this event is taking place.

Setting refers to the place where the story is taking place. While it is true that the world the playwright creates is imaginary, it shares a close resemblance with our own real world. It is important to identify the setting of the story if you are to appreciate the themes. In order to understand the setting, ask yourself this question: Could this story be happening anywhere or could it have happened somewhere? If you understand the setting, it will be possible for you to understand the characters and get to know why they act the way they do.

Setting can be geographical, historical and social.

      Geographical setting deals with where the play is set – the place. It may be a real place or an imaginary one. For instance, the excerpt you just read is set in Dr. Mulemi’s house. We know this from the stage directions at the beginning of the scene.

      If the play is set in an imaginary place, the playwright will give some cues on where this imaginary place could be; for instance, an independent African state.

      Historical setting refers to the time in which the play is set. A playwright may give the actual date and time but more often, playwrights give a period in time; for example, pre-colonial, colonial or post-colonial Africa.

      Social setting refers to the type of society in which the play is set. It could be in a village or city, a market or a church. For instance, Aminata is set in a village that is undergoing a lot of influence from the neighbouring city and feeling the effects of liberalisation – where women see themselves as equal to men.

     Setting helps to give a play and its characters authenticity and helps in building a foundation for the development of themes and dramatic techniques.

Practice Exercise 2

In groups read and discuss the setting of the excerpt below.

FOURTH SEQUENCE

Activity 5

Study the excerpt you just read in the Practice Exercise. Read out loud the names written in the margin.

Characters

Do you remember what we said at the beginning of this Unit? We said, most times, the words of the dialogue in a play are written on the right side, and the names of the characters are written in the margin.

      A character refers to the fictional human being, animal or thing in a story (in this case, a play). Some are dominant from the beginning to the end of the play while others make few appearances in selected scenes or acts.

      In order to identify a character we look at:

         −    The physical description of the character in terms of size, colour and general appearance.

         −    What the character says about himself or herself and about other issues affecting society.

         −    The actions of the character in his or her interaction with other characters in the play.

         −    What other characters say about the character.

         −    The character’s thoughts, desires, dreams and wishes.

Characters are usually described by single adjectives such as loving, cruel, intelligent, naïve, hardworking, lazy and humorous. Consequently, one does not say character A cares about people, but rather, character A is caring. One should also avoid ambiguous words when describing a character. For example, rather than say character B is not disciplined, one should be more specific and say he she is rude or dishonest.

     Characters in a play are a reflection of human beings. Therefore, characters can have both positive and negative traits. A character, for example, can be very generous but also extremely temperamental.

Activity 6

Read the following excerpt, from Voice of the People by Okoiti Omtatah and mention the characters involved. Thereafter, copy the table below in your exercise book and fill it in. Follow the given example.

Activity 7

In your small groups, discuss the idea the playwright is putting across in Voice of the People. Your discussion should be based on the excerpts you have read.

Theme

Theme refers to the main idea portrayed in a play. What does a playwright hope to achieve when writing a play? Some playwrights write with the intention of showing the power of change, the dangers of love, the role of good governance and leadership, the negative effects of retrogressive cultures and practices, the immortality of death, fate and destiny, among others.

     Some plays have one major theme and several minor themes, while other plays could have two or more major themes and a number of minor themes.

     The most common themes in plays include change, tradition, religion, education, love, death, family relations, women empowerment, etc.

      Francis Imbuga, in his play Aminata, explores a number of themes, such as; tradition and culture, change and women empowerment.

Activity 8

Read the excerpt below and in your small groups discuss the main theme.

   When discussing a theme, you should give enough illustrations from the play.

You must remember to start with a topic sentence.

   Here is an example of how to discuss a theme from Aminata.

Theme of change

The theme in this excerpt is change. There is a significant change in the position and role of a woman in society. Traditionally, women were required to take care of their homes and families with no other meaningful engagements. However, from the above excerpt, we can see that Ngoya has bequeathed his land to Aminata. At the same time, Jumba is willing to relinquish his power as leader of Membe to Rosina. Rosina is actually shocked and she asks, “you mean, you want me, Rosina Jumba, to become Membe’s headman?” to which Jumba replies, “That is so.” This had never happened before as Jumba observes: “His action was a deliberate one because it has never happened in any of our neighbouring clans.”

     Therefore, the playwright seems to be advocating women’s empowerment through change of perception especially by men. This (what the playwright is telling us) is what we call the message.

     A good essay on a theme should have a proper introduction and conclusion. Every paragraph should handle a different illustration and should begin with a topic sentence which must be very clear on what the paragraph aims to discuss. Avoid being repetitive in illustrations and examples.

Practice Exercise 3

Individually, read the excerpt below and discuss the main theme with members of your group.