Tumbo disagrees with the suggestion that the head of stat e visits upcountry to see the projects he supported. Kabito and Mulili disagree on the issue of forcing the drama department of the university to act in the play. Mulili accuses Kabito of calling him primarykid and when Kabito refuses to apologize, Tumbo recommends a one hour break for the members to let off steam. Nicodemo had suggested a three hours break! As the scene ends,Mulili swears at Kabito and issues a chilling threat to him. REVISION QUESTIONS FOR THE SCENESCENE ONE1. Kabito is the first to arrive and sleeps in one of the chairs , what does this symbolize? 2. Where does this scene take place3. Why is kabito asleep and why is he in foul mood4. Why was Mulili given the tender5. Why is Nicodemo against the use of prisoners to entertain the guests? 6. Why is mulili part of this committee7. According to Tumbo what is the role of the committee8. From the set up of the committee explain the theme of cronism9. From the discussion on their payment, what do we learn about the members of this committee10. Mulili says he used Boss to get the tender at the university, what does this tell about leadership in Kafira11. Why are the university students not willing to participate in the entertainment program12. What brings about the conflict between Mulili and Kabito13. Why does the committee go for a break and for how long is the break14. Identify the aspects of style evident in this scene15. Identify the themes in this scene16. Identify and illustrate the character traits of Tumbo, Nicodemo, Mulili and Kabito from this scene17. Identify the elements of betrayal from this scene. SCENE TWODuring the one hour break, Mulili rushes to boss to inform him about Kabito s ill deeds. He finds boss puling grey strands of hair from his head.


Identify and illustrate the character traits of Tumbo, Nicodemo, Mulili and Kabito from this scene17. Identify the elements of betrayal from this scene. SCENE TWODuring the one hour break, Mulili rushes to boss to inform him about Kabito s ill deeds. He finds boss puling grey strands of hair from his head. He maligns Kabito to boss by telling him that Kabito is a green snake in the grass, has coloured boss name in blood in front of the committee, came to the meeting drunk, was shouting to everybody that boss has denied him the milk tender, says that boss has ruined Kafira s economy by hiding millions in a foreign country and that boss had tried to get Regina by force. This irks boss who accuses Kabito ofsowing seeds of discord among the people. He orders Mulili to do what must be done; to silence Kabito. Mulili is only too glad to do it. In fact, he tells him it is a small matte r having silenced the old couple Nina and Doga REVISION QUESTIONS FOR THE SCENE11 P a g eSCENE TWO1. Where is this scene set? 2. Why does Boss boast about his grey hair3. Why has Mulili come to see Boss4. What five allegations does Mulili present against Kabito5. From Mulili s allegation what ills on leadership do we learn about Boss6. Who is Mercedes and what makes her rude to Boss7. What does Boss decide shoud be done against Kabito8. Mulili says that be small. You remember that old couple ? What did Mulili do to the old couple, on whose instructions and for what reason? 9. Identify the themes evident in this scene? 10. Identify the aspects of style evident in this scene11. What are the character traits of Mulili and Kabito from this scene? 12. Identify the elements of betrayal in this sceneSCENE THREENews about boss attempt to rape Regina has reached Jusper who now feels he can t go on with the play as he had earlier on promised Tumbo. The latter warns Jusper that this would be deemed as sabotage, hence would be too dangerous. He is warned that if he makes any mistake, he could end his university studies even after he has already lost one year.


Identify the elements of betrayal in this sceneSCENE THREENews about boss attempt to rape Regina has reached Jusper who now feels he can t go on with the play as he had earlier on promised Tumbo. The latter warns Jusper that this would be deemed as sabotage, hence would be too dangerous. He is warned that if he makes any mistake, he could end his university studies even after he has already lost one year. Jusperleaves but he doesn t promise boss that he is going to hide the truth. When Tumbo and Nicodemo meet to continue with the meeting after the break they are aware of Kabito s murder but they dare not say anything. Tumbo says they are aware of Kabito s murder but they dare not say anything. Tumbo says they are like caged animals who move but only inside the cage. They pretend not to know anything about the death when Mulili enters. He pretends to be shocked and saddened by Kabito s death which he says was as result of Kabito being under the influence of alcohol. Nicodemo wonders how one can get drunk in the space of one hour and Mulili foolishly says that people said that his breath smelled of spirits. When presses further by Nicodemo who wonders about the mention of breath yet Kabito was dead, Mulili retorts that he didn t say breath but his body smelled whiskies. He goes ahead to say that boss wept when he heard of the death and has already declared one road to be called Kabito road. Nicodemo suggests that they should call off the meeting and wonders whether the day would be counted. Despite thesolemnness of the occasion, the members of the committee seem to be more pre-occupiedwith concerns of seeking avenues of making money. This is a pointer to their greed and materialistic nature. REVISION QUESTIONS FOR THE SCENESCENE THREE1. Where is this scene set? 2. What had happened to Regina, why was it necessary for Regina to meet Boss and what transpired after that3. Why is Boss s wife locked up after the incident? 4. Why does Jusper want to pull out of the programme5. What does Jusper stand to lose if he withdraws from the directing of the play? 6. Why does Tumbo caution Jusper against standing for truth and justice7. What has happened to Kabito during the break8.


6. Why does Tumbo caution Jusper against standing for truth and justice7. What has happened to Kabito during the break8. What is the cause of Kabito s death according to Mulili9. What do you gather from Mulili s incoherent and apparent confused explanation of Kabito s death10. Explain Tumbo s assertion that like caged animals , we move,but only inside the cage 11. Why is the meeting called off? 12. How do the other committee members express their respet for the dead Kabito13. Nicodemo asks whether they will be paid for that day, what does that tellus about hischaracter14. Identify the themes evident in this scene15. Identify the aspects of style used in this scene16. Identify the character traits of Jusper, Tumbo, Mulili and Nicodemo from this scene17. Identify the elements of betrayal from this sceneSCENE FOURTHE REHEARSALThe stage is set for the final rehearsal of the play meant to entertain the visiting head of state. Tumbo wants everything to go on well as he fears to disappoint boss who is already in a foul mood. Boss, has, as a result of his bad temper, locked up his wife in the palace cell. Jusper informs Tumbo that all will go on well and that Mosese was cooperative during the previous night s rehearsal. Jusper says that he is in the play because he realized that the problems of kafira cannot be solved by isolation. According to him, if the play succeeds, he will have demonstrated that determination is greater in worth than numbers. Tumbo would prefer thatboss doesn t know that the play is written by Jusper who hopes that the release of a few prisoners, after the success of the play, will change Kafira. Jusper is able to see the hypocrisy of the ruling elite. The release of a few prisoners is meant to improve the image of Kafira to the eyes of the world. This according to him is only the truth. Boss joins them in the preparation of the rehearsal and Jusper tells him the play is about an army cadet who is promoted to the rank of captain within six months of enrolment. Duringthe pass-out parade he shoots his colleague accidentally because he doesn t know how to handle a gun.


This according to him is only the truth. Boss joins them in the preparation of the rehearsal and Jusper tells him the play is about an army cadet who is promoted to the rank of captain within six months of enrolment. Duringthe pass-out parade he shoots his colleague accidentally because he doesn t know how to handle a gun. It is later realised that he is not a relative of the army commander as it had been thought. As the rehearsal starts, Boss volunteers to read the part of the chief of staff since the prisoner who had been allocated the role could not be present as he had stomach troubles. He also orders askari to untie the hands of Jere and Mosese so that they can join the rehearsal, Mosese the junior soldier argues with Jere the captain over which gun is shorter than the other; a. 32 or a 28. They go to their chief of staff boss to help unravel the mystery. He tells them to each take a gun and show it to him. The guns are now in the hands of Jere and Mosese! Their plan has succeeded. On realizing that he has been tricked, boss shouts to the guards but Jere tells him he has no guards. Jusper thinks that boss is dead and is about to go and design a coffin but is stopped by Mosese who tell boss to see what he had done to Jusper. Because of fear, Mulili betrays boss. He says that boss ought to be killed because he has taken everything in his hands, has spoiled Kafira s economy, and has ruled for too long and killed Kabito. Boss cannot stand the betrayal so he tells Jere to shoot him. Jere tells boss that their interest is not to see human blood but to provide a mirror for Kafira to reflect the real faces of Kafira s front men. He says that they must also learn to sacrifice themselves for a better future. Mosese says that their achievement is largely because of the inefficiency of Tumbo. Jere gives boss the gun that he can shoot him Jere but boss declines. Jusper then takes the gun and shoots Mulili dead. He says that he did it for Kafira. Before the play ends, the ghosts of Doga and Nina enter the stage. Mulili s death seems to have appeased Doga and Nina. REVISION QUESTIONS FOR THE SCENESCENE FOUR1.


Before the play ends, the ghosts of Doga and Nina enter the stage. Mulili s death seems to have appeased Doga and Nina. REVISION QUESTIONS FOR THE SCENESCENE FOUR1. Where is this scene set2. Why is Boss s wife locked up? 3. What is the level of preparedness for the presentation of the play4. Tumbo doesn t know what the play is even about, what does this tell us about him5. Why was Jusper thown out of his position as student leader why does Tumbo suggest that they keep the fact that Jusper is the writer of the play a secret? 6. Jusper says that he doesn t want the prisoners to come from the prison into another prison, what does this tell us about the society of Kafira7. What warning does Boss give to Jusper for the university students8. Why is Boss scornful of the university students9. What did Boss do as a reaction to the students protest on employment of expatriates10. According to Jusper s explanation to Boss what is the play the prisoners are going to present about? 11. Jusper s play within a play exposes the character traits of several characters. Identify and explain them12. Why does Boss offer himself for the position of chief of staff and what happened to the one supposed to take that role13. Why are the prisoners given real guns and what does this tell us about the state officials14. Give a synopsis of the play the prisoners enact15. How do the prisoners manage to take over the government16. Why does Mulili try to escape17. How does Mulili betray Boss and what allegations does he present against Boss18. Why is Boss spared and Mulili killed19. After killing Mulili, Jusper says I did it for Kafira, I did it for all of you people what is the meaning of this statement20. What is the significance of the reappearance of Doga and Nina and their freezing as they point at Mulili s body at the end of the play. 21. Identify the stylistic devices used in this scene22. Identify the elements of betrayal in this sceneTHEMESBETRAYALBetrayal is the act of being disloyal or being deceitful towards someone. Its about going against the trust that someone has on another.


Identify the stylistic devices used in this scene22. Identify the elements of betrayal in this sceneTHEMESBETRAYALBetrayal is the act of being disloyal or being deceitful towards someone. Its about going against the trust that someone has on another. The head of state in Kafira Boss has betrayed the people s trust in him. He is supposed to protect the country s sovereignty by creating job opportunities for his subjects, but instead hehas facilitated the influx of expatriate personnel into the country. When the university students protest he deliberately sends in an order for three hundred more expatriate personnel. Under his rule , sycophancy, cronyism, corruption, nepotism, and persecution of perceived opponents have become the order of the day. He orders the killing of Kabito. He is also responsible for the death of Doga and Nina as well as the arrest of Mosese, Askari says .....we calculated that two mature strokes would ease the tension. It worked perfectly. This is where the research stations come in, pg 19 Appointments are not based on merit. According to Tumbo, membership of the entertainment committee is based on the appointees unflinching loyalty to Boss who buys loyalty by handsomely rewarding individuals. For instance, Mulili is rewarded with acres of land and grade cattle. Another incident of betrayal is when Kabito, a fellow member of the entertainment committee is betrayed to Boss by Mulili. Mulili comes up with fictitious reasons for getting rid of Kabito. The allegations are outrageous to say the least. He says that Kabito has complained that Boss has robbed him of the milk tender, he has ruined the economy, he hides millions in foreign countries, and that he tried to get Regina by force. In fact, Mulili should be the green snake on the grass that her refers to. By having Kabito killed, he betrays both men. Mulili betrays his colleague, Jere who gets arrested because he opposed the farmer s brutality towards Doga and Nina, A part from his name-calling and callous nature; he gets Jere into trouble when all he wanted to do was to assist the old couple. Boss betrays the trust Regina has for him. Regina honours her meeting with Boss since she believes hw the only one who can secure the release of her brother Mosese.


Mulili betrays his colleague, Jere who gets arrested because he opposed the farmer s brutality towards Doga and Nina, A part from his name-calling and callous nature; he gets Jere into trouble when all he wanted to do was to assist the old couple. Boss betrays the trust Regina has for him. Regina honours her meeting with Boss since she believes hw the only one who can secure the release of her brother Mosese. Unfortunately,Boss forcefully tries to get her and she is forced to escape by jumping out of a ten foot high window. Mosese thinks that it would be an act of betrayal for Regina to plead for his release. Pleading to Boss for mercy would mean that he is guilty yet he is not. According to Mosese acting is tantamount to betraying their cause. He further argues that they are out to cause chang e inKafira and even silence to him is a weapon. REVENGEMany characters are seen to be involved in various actions against each other in an attempt to avenge wrongs done against themJusper avenges the death of his brother Adika by killing Chagaga the sub chief s brother the man who had apparently killed Adika by shooting him four times. Jere tells Jusper s parents that people had seen him drag the body to the river pg 12Jere pleads with Mulili to allow the old couple continue with the ceremony. Mulilivehemently refuses and even imitates a priest s burial liturgy an action that infuriates Jere who chases him away and even threatens to shot him. Mulili threatens him that he shall pay for his actions and true to his words Jere s put behind bars. After killing Chagaga and being put behind bars, Jusper s parents are found dead an indication that someone had further avenged the killing of Chagaga. Jusper further says, I will revenge someday pg 33 to which we see him killing Mulli at the end of the play who must have been involved in the killings. During the meeting by the committee organizing for the entertainment for the visiting dignitary, there is a quarrel and bitter exchange over an apparent misunderstanding betweenKabito and Mulili. Muili reports Kabito to Boss with many false allegations and this leads to the killing of Kabito. At the end of the play Jusper is seen shooting Mulili dead.


During the meeting by the committee organizing for the entertainment for the visiting dignitary, there is a quarrel and bitter exchange over an apparent misunderstanding betweenKabito and Mulili. Muili reports Kabito to Boss with many false allegations and this leads to the killing of Kabito. At the end of the play Jusper is seen shooting Mulili dead. His is because Mulili is a symbol of the ills that have affected the state of Kafira. In fact Jusper says on p74 that I did it for Kafira THE ROLE OF THE ELITESThe elites in any society should be actively involved in emancipating their societies from downfall especially occasioned by poor leadership. The same happens in the state of Kafira through various characters. The university students led by Adika are seen demonstrating against the influx of expatriates in the country. This is because this has been the leading cause of unemployment. This however leads to the death of Adika but it s important to notice that they had expressed their misgivings against the government. Through Mosese we also find that the elites are almost giving up on the government and even turning their backs to the going ons in the state. This is seen in Mosese s words when askedwhy he is showing his back to Jere and the askari to which he answers I have no front. However, we see him speaking out his mind against the oppression I the state which leads to his imprisonment on trumped up charges. Mosese in his trance dream agrees to participate in the play together with Jere another elite. It is evident that it is through their role in the play that they manage to bring order to the state of Kafira by ousting and killing the evil element in government in Mulili. Jusper an elite is actively involved in ousting the oppressive regime it is he who writes the controversial play through which they overthrow the government. It is him still who shoots Mulili the evil element and hence hope for Kafira as he says at the end of the play that, I did it for Kafira. I did it for all of you people. Pg 74CORRUPTIONThe government officials are corrupt through and through. The head of state boss putsMulili, a cousin of jis, in a senior government position so that he can inform him on every intricate detail in the government.


You need a tall relative to get anything these days pg 27 only those with relatives working in the government can survive in this state. While the entertainment committee meets Nicodemo tries to find out about what they will make out of it. He asks..... what size of potato per hour? He is also interested in finding out how many days they would use. How many working days..... Kabito suggest that they should meet every day until the visiting head of state arrives and even after the visit. Government officials are corrupt. Each is thinking of how to amass wealth. Mulili is granted the milk tender because he is boss cousin. It is not given to those that qualified. Kabito is corrupt. He spends the whole night trying to bribe the tendering committee yet he lost the tender. He says .....I spent the whole of last night being nice to people. To get money in this state in this state one doesn t have to be educated, One must have brains to this of unscrupulous ways of getting money. Tumbo tells Jusper on pg 50 ..........you need a different kind of this. LACK OF TRUTH AND JUSTICEThere is an inherent fear of speaking the truth a-in the entire play thus leading to miscarriage of Justice. Those who have spoken the truth have not lived to see their tomorrow but have been brutally exterminated like vermin. A case in point is Adika, a student leader who is shot dead to silence the students who are protesting about the influx of expatriate personnel into the country. A Young man s life is sobrutally brought to an abrupt end because he chooses to purse the truth in order to attain justice for the greater good of Kafira state. The student s lecturer decides to speak the truth during the burial by telling the politicians off when they decide to place restrictions on the mourners. But because speaking one s mind is not a crime, they plant a drug, one kilogram of opium in his car and get him imprisoned, This is a serious case of intolerance and miscarriage of justice. Doga and Nina are murdered in their own hut because they dared challenge one of Boss; closest advisers, Mulili, who is also his relative. They intended to carry out a simple shaving ceremony by the graveside of their murdered son but Mulili declared it a government property.


Individuals are forced to take law into their hands since justice favours those connected to those in power. Jusper kills Chagaga in order to avenge the killing if his brother Adika. Chagaga happens to be the sub-chief s brother. Mulili says All small murders get arrested. Like Jusper faces the full brunt of the law while big murderers like Mulili get away scot free due to political patronage. The fact that Boss relies on the likes of Mulili, Tumbo, Kabito and Nicodemo to render good and sustainable opinion and advice to the government tells the extent of the rot in this system. Mulili is barely coherent and there are lots of inconsistencies in his utterances. He is a liar and a cheat, a fraud who any right thinking leader should distance himself from. Tumbo,Kabito and Nicodemo only think about their daily allowances and are determined to meet as long as it takes in order to reap as much. Tumbo s remark at the end of the play puts what ails the state in plain terms, I am truly sorry, but I am not entirely to blame, I was trained, but given the wrong job . Pg 74 This remark points an accusing finger at the appointing authority. The likes of Mulili should not be in government. Mulili uses his relationship with Boss to secure tenders and amass wealth. He manages to reverse the termination of his tender by soliciting assistance from boss. Nicodemo says thatMulili bullied his way into securing the university tender pg 51 Appointments to government positions are based on one s closeness to Boss. Tumbo tells members of the entertainment committee, I trust gentlemen that you know why you sit on this committee. You were nominated for one reason: Your unflinching support for our government pg 52-53 It is evident that Mulili, Tumbo, Kabito and Nicodemo are Boss sycophants. Mulili s unflinching support for Boss is rewarded with farm land and grade cattle. Tumbo is mandated to organize a play writing competition but instead declares Jusper the winner of proposed play writing competition one third would go to Jusper and Regina and the other two thirds will be used to put the records straight. FEAR SUSPICIONFear is the unpleasant feeling caused by the possibility of danger or evil.


Regina fears going to see Boss to plead for Mosese s release because she is afraid of him. She fears that something will go wrong if he see her. Regina fears for Juspers safety. She pleads with him to stop clashing with the authorities. She tells him, Jusper, no good will come out of this struggle. Like you I only have two close friends left in this world. You and my brother, but my brother is inside. If anything should go wrong, we ll be wiped out. Pg 34 Mulili is threatened by Jusper and Mosese at the end of the play to a point of denying having any close relationship with Boss. He is fearful that he might he killed but sure enough he is shot dead. Earlier he had intended to sneak out purportedly to go for a call of nature. The head of state is shocked by the turn of events and fears that all evils will be exposed by the prisoners. He begs to be killed. He would rather face death than the consequences of his deeds. When Nicodemo suggests that Kabito should report the issue of losing his tender, Kabito remarks that reporting Mulili to Boss is tantamount to digging one s own grave. When Kabito questions Mulili s presence on the committee, Tumbo says that Kabito should know better than that and in any case, the question was not in the agenda. Tumbo and Nicodemo know that Mulili is responsible for Kabito s death but they cannot dare say anything. Like caged animals, we move, but only inside the cage. Pg 62 HYPOCRISYHypocrisy refers to pretence that one has qualities, beliefs or feelings that they do not really have. Prisoners are taking part in the play to entertain the visiting head of state to show national unity. The government is trying to show the impression that prisoners are actively involved in nation building. This may have not been the case earlier since Nicodemo says they are now being treated as if they do not belong to this world. The main reason for Boss decision to have the prisoners take part in the play is to potray the country in positive light to ensure foreign investment. A successful visit will make it possible for the role of the negotiators to be heard. Mulili pretends to be shocked by the news that Kabito is dead.


The main reason for Boss decision to have the prisoners take part in the play is to potray the country in positive light to ensure foreign investment. A successful visit will make it possible for the role of the negotiators to be heard. Mulili pretends to be shocked by the news that Kabito is dead. He informs Tumbo and Nicodemo that Kabito has been involved in a fatal accident during the one hour break. He pretends to be saddened by the news. He claims that the accident was caused by the victim driving under the influence of alcohol. He further claims that Boss was in tears when he heard of Kabito s death and that he had declared that a road be named after Kabito. Pg 63 By criticizing the excesses of Boss, Tumbo is being hypocritical since he is a beneficiary of Boss and his government. Tumbo seems to be making an attempt to distance himself from Boss when he says, Things will change; Boss is not at all bad at heart. His main problem isthat he gets scared off too easily. Pg 44 As a result of his loyalty he is made the chairman of the committee mandated to organize for the entertainment of a visiting head of state. He also owns apartments courtesy of Boss. Tumbo pretends to be doing Regina a favour by introducing her to Boss yet he knows his Boss ridiculous weakness for women. When she gets into trouble and jumps out of a tenfeet high window, he belatedly says he will apologize to her. He pretends to be sorry forRegina while all along he had known what Boss was up to. Tumbo claims to be a socialist at heart and says he could have written the play for the entertainment of the visiting Head of State himself but decides to extend this opportunity to someone else. Tumbo, you have not done badly, why don t you lead the pack of them ..show them light, eat and let eat. Pg 44 Boss claims to understand truth and justice, while in fact, he least does. He alleges that the rioting students and the dissenting lecturers have no idea what truth and justice are all about. This hypocrisy is self-serving in the sense that he intends to suppress their freedom of expression to create an opportunity to gain from foreign governments. Mulili misreports Kabito to Boss for allegedly maligning Boss reputation yet his real intention is to have Kabito punished for opposing him during the meeting.


She feels that they are fighting stones. Pg 34 Doga and Nina have lost hope in life after their son; Adika is shot dead during the university riots. Their son Jusper seems to have lost his mind after his brother s death and is currently considered as good as dead. Nina concludes that the authorities have robbed them all they had and blinded them. After Kabito s murder, Tumbo and Nicodemo realize that their tenures as government officials hang in the balance. Tumbo says, We have no choice, like caged animals, we move but only inside the cage. Pg 62 He says the elimination of citizens has become so rampant that one is not sure of seeing the next day. Jere argues with Askari over the issue of freedom. He tells him that the outside of his cell may be well the inside of another, which implies there is no freedom in Kafira and even those who think they are free are not. Jusper bemoans the fact that Regina too has been affected by the street disease, that is giving up. It is even pointed out that the beggars in the streets laugh at the university students because they believe that they could achieve nothing for Kafira. OPPRESSION SOCIAL INJUSTICEThe leadership of Kafira is dictatorial. It is oppressive. The government in a bid to perpetuate its continued stay in power has resulted in silencing its critics. The educated elite i n particular pay the heaviest price for being at the fore front of criticizing the excess of Boss regime. Assasinations, arrests, imprisonments and torture of prisoners are the order of the day. Boss must always have his way and will eliminate anyone who appears to be a stumbling block to his schemes. He does not entertain any freedom of expression of whatever kind. For example, the academic staff members should not weep in public for whatever reason, and if they do, they end up in prison like Mosese. Freedom of expression is curtailed. Jere says the outside of this cell may be the inside of another pg 21 Prisoners are not allowed to ask questions. It only makes one s life more unbearable. When one asks questions he is subjected to beating as in the case of Jere. Prisoners are denied food only those who co-operate with authorities enjoy certain privileges. Jere is denied tea then Mosese is presented with a cup of tea.


When one asks questions he is subjected to beating as in the case of Jere. Prisoners are denied food only those who co-operate with authorities enjoy certain privileges. Jere is denied tea then Mosese is presented with a cup of tea. During Adika s funeral Mosese says of the orders room the government. The funeral would not take more than ten minutes, the coffin could not be carried by students and weeping in public was illegal for the academic staff. When Mosese protested against this high handedness, he is arrested and imprisoned on trumped up charges of possessing illegal drugs. Prisoners are denied food and only those who co-operate with prison authorities. In a bid to secure conviction for Mosese, his sister Regina is subjected to beating by soldiers as people watch, forcing her to give evidence against him. As a result the beating she loses hearing in one ear. Doga and Niana lose their lives after protesting the government s decision to prevent them from conducting the shaving ceremony for their late son Adika. Tumbo and Nicodemo know that Mulili killed Kabito but they cannot say anything about it. Like caged animals we move, but inside the cage pg 62 Boss regime has established research stations meant to rehabilitate perceived opponents of the state before they are re-integrated into the society. Askari tells Jere , You see we have research stations dotted all over the countryside. Pg 17 Boss tells Jusper that when he goes back to the University he should tell the leaders that it is his Boss duty to decide on the magnitude of Kaira s africanization programme and that they have no right to chant about it. When the students demonstrate against the influx ofexpatriate personnel, Boss warns that the result will always be the same, deaths and imprisonment. Jere protests the mistreatment of Nina and Doga by the government. He successfully tries to convince Mulili to allow them to conduct the shaving ceremony for their son Adika. An altercation ensues between him and Mulili when he insists that the ceremony will go on as planned resulting in his arrest and imprisonment. Jusper s unstable state of mind can be attributed to the physical as well as psychologicalsuffering he has undergone. He has been arrested twice, first during the burial of his brotherAdika and seconds the murder of Chagaga who killed his brother.


They quickly find that they have a lot to talk about because they are like minded as far as the administration of Kafira is concerned. He empathizes with the old couple and wishes to allow them to carry out their shaving ceremony. Secretive cautiousHe does not let out the secret that Mulili allowed Mustafa to escape across the border. When Mosese tells him about the circumstances that brought him to prison, the events of Adika s funeral, Jere does not let Mosese know that he knows Jusper. DaringHe is unperturbed by the threats directed to him by Askari. When Askari tells him, I have killed a man once in this very cell, he replies, congratulations! How did you manage? Pg 30 Intelligent Cunning clever tactfulHe and Mosese clearly carry out a palace coup to expose the villains like Mulili in the government. He says they have no intentions of getting rid of Boss because they want the act to be a mirror that will reflect the real faces of Kafira s front men. He compares the prison department with Meteorological Department which confuses the public by giving contradictory information. PhilosophicalAfter observing Mosese s reverie, Jere aptly summarizes the state of the society thus, When the madness o an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is not enough to say the man is mad. Mosese s behavior is a result of what the authority has put its citizen through-that is, oppression to the point of madness. Rolesi He plays a significant role in the development of the plot of the story. Ii He enhances the character of other characters in the play. For instance, through him, the Askari is portrayed as brutal and intimidating. Iii Several themes have been brought out using him, for instance the themes of selfsacrifice and oppression. Iv He is used by the writer to highlight several stylistic devices such as play within a play, suspense and biblical allusion. JUSPER WENDOHe is a philosophy student at the university. He is the son of Doga and Nina. His brother Adika was shot dead during a demonstration held by the university students. He can bedescribed as;Arrogant disrespectfulJusper talks arrogantly to people who do not make sense to him. He talks back at Tumbo regardless of his powerful office.


His brother Adika was shot dead during a demonstration held by the university students. He can bedescribed as;Arrogant disrespectfulJusper talks arrogantly to people who do not make sense to him. He talks back at Tumbo regardless of his powerful office. He openly shows his disrespect by talking negatively about the evils of the government. At some point, Tumbo thinks he is drunk. Vengeful vindictiveHe kills Chagaga, the sub-chief s brother who also killed Adika, his brother. He shoots Mulili for having caused all the pain and suffering in the society. He is over -excited that they have successfully carried out the coup. He vows to avenge the killing of his brother Adika. He tells Regina, I will get my revenge someday, even if it means doing it alone. Pg 33 SarcasticWhen asked by Tumbo what achievement he is going to highlight in the play meant for entertaining the visiting head of state, he says, the number of expatriate professionals had steadily increased over the year, signifying the full extent of our potential progress . Pg 48 On the issue of name changing, he says, but there is nothing wrong with that. Changing names is item number three in the new development plan, isn t it? In fact, Boss himself gaveus a fine example when he substituted his Christian name with something none of us can pronounce. Pg 40 After being told by Tumbo that he has won the nonexistent play writing competition, heremarks that out of ten plays submitted, his came first and that the other entries have of course been returned to their authors. Pg 49 Open Outspoken candidJusper speaks his mind when he finds his parents at the graveside; he openly confesses having killed someone. Nina thinks he is drunk and only to find out later that he actually killed Chagaga. When asked by Tumbo how much beer he drinks he retorts that it is as much as he Tumbo drank off the pocket money he got during his university days. He talks to the president candidly as he gives him a summary of his play. He is not afraid to reveal to him that he has written the play. Intelligent creativeJusper is a university student. He is also a playwright who depicts the society so clearly that publishers dread publishing his work.


He is not afraid to reveal to him that he has written the play. Intelligent creativeJusper is a university student. He is also a playwright who depicts the society so clearly that publishers dread publishing his work. He is able to trick the president to provide real guns so that he can find a chance to avenge the deaths of his parents and brother. He also succeeds intricking Tumbo and taking advantage of inefficiency. He writes an ingenious play that deceives Tumbo completely. StubbornJusper refuses to remove his red gown despite his girlfriend s nagging. She says it makes him appear dangerous. Students are always treated suspiciously whenever they put them on but he is ready to face the consequences. He is unapologetic to Tumbo for wearing it. Rolesi Major events in the play revolve around himii His experiences expose the Boss regime. Iii His brother Adika is brutally murdered during a student s demonstration. He is arrested when he revenges his brother s killing and is released in exchange for his parent s murder. Iv His unstable state of mind points to an individual who has undergone both physical and emotional trauma. V He highlights the themes of suffering, disillusionment, betrayal and self-sacrifice. Thewriter has used Jusper to highlight aspects of style such as play within a play, allusion and satire. MULILIMulili is an ex-soldier and now a farmer. He is cousin to Boss and is a member of the visitor s entertainment committee. Unfeeling inhuman CallousHe makes fun of Doga and Nina s sorrow due to the loss of their son and forbids them to carry out the shaving ceremony at the graveside. Even when Nina threatens to strip naked in protest , a traditional curse, Mulili asks, ....How many naked body I have seen and I am still Mulili with my two eyes, natural? Pg 9 He is insensitive to Doga s feelings that Doga finally tells him, .....may you die the way Adika did. Pg 10 He has Doga, Nina and Kabito killed in cold-blood. He declares that there is no reason why Boss should not be killed. DisrespectfulHe shows disrespect for the elder couple Doga and Nina when he dares Nina to go ahead and strip after she had threatened to do so.


Even when Nina threatens to strip naked in protest , a traditional curse, Mulili asks, ....How many naked body I have seen and I am still Mulili with my two eyes, natural? Pg 9 He is insensitive to Doga s feelings that Doga finally tells him, .....may you die the way Adika did. Pg 10 He has Doga, Nina and Kabito killed in cold-blood. He declares that there is no reason why Boss should not be killed. DisrespectfulHe shows disrespect for the elder couple Doga and Nina when he dares Nina to go ahead and strip after she had threatened to do so. He says he has seen many naked bodies and he is still Mulili with two eyes, natural. Pg 9 Vengeful VindictiveHe bears a grudge against Kabito because he feels belittled by Kabito whom he alleges has called him a primary school kid. As if that is not enough, he goes ahead to tell lies about Kabito to Boss leading to his elimination. He threatens Jere for failing to enforce the instructions they had to prevent Doga and Nina from carrying out their late son s shaving ceremony. This act lands Jere in prisonCorruptBeing Boss cousin he is promised many acres of land and grade cattle. He will therefore do anything to ensure he gets this. When the tender for the supply of milk to the university is awarded to somebody else Kabito , Mulili reports to Boss who revokes it and gives it to him. Mulili goes on to haveKabito killed after lying to Boss that Kabito had maligned his name. He allows a fugitive, Mustafa, to escape across the border. Comical funnyHis ungrammatical English makes him a funny character provoking laughter in the reader every time he speaks. For example, in reference to Doga s statement that an innocent man is in prison because of Adika, Mulili says, That no matter, he go against law and order, tell us new thing or make clear out of here. You are trespasser. Pg 10 When Nina says that they do not want to be shown letter because their hope has been killed, Mulili tells them, Your people full of primitive; instead going to find how the other is, they come and get stick with dead one. Pg 10 He mixes up simple sayings.


Comical funnyHis ungrammatical English makes him a funny character provoking laughter in the reader every time he speaks. For example, in reference to Doga s statement that an innocent man is in prison because of Adika, Mulili says, That no matter, he go against law and order, tell us new thing or make clear out of here. You are trespasser. Pg 10 When Nina says that they do not want to be shown letter because their hope has been killed, Mulili tells them, Your people full of primitive; instead going to find how the other is, they come and get stick with dead one. Pg 10 He mixes up simple sayings. For example, when he comes late for the meeting of the entertainment committee that is preparing for the head of state, he tells the other, Gentlemen, I am very sorrowful, but I always say, better never than late pg 54 Whentelling Boss about Kabito, he says, The one, he be a green grass in the snake. Pg 59 He quickly changes things he had said to suit himself. For instance, he reports that Kabito died in an accident because he was driving while under the influence of alcohol. Nicodemo asks, His breath did you say? He retreats, who said breath I said his body smelledwhiskies? Pg 63 Short tempered temperamentalMulili falls out with people on many occasions because of his short temper. For example, when Doga pleads with him to let him carry on with the shaving ceremony, he loses his temper. Nina gets angry with him and threatens to strip naked, but he is not moved. Doga curses him to die like Adika but he responds, .....you tell him me I am a man with action not words, come on tell...... pg 10 Mulili abuses Kabito a goat when the latter refuses to apologise to him pg 57 Sycophant fanaticalHe does all he can to please the authority Boss . For example, he does not agree with Jere to let Doga and Nina perform the shaving ceremony for their late son even w hen Jere feels they can allow the couple to do it under supervision. He is very proud of having undeservingly won the milk tender. This is because he is Boss cousin.


For example, he does not agree with Jere to let Doga and Nina perform the shaving ceremony for their late son even w hen Jere feels they can allow the couple to do it under supervision. He is very proud of having undeservingly won the milk tender. This is because he is Boss cousin. He is impressed by the way he got the tender. What happen to Mr. Mulili tender supply for milk?......You knows, who is speaking! I it s me, Boss himself and no bloody vicedeputy. Pg 54 He does everything to impress Boss and make him think he is loyal. He even suggests that people should go on holiday during the visit by the foreign head of state, so that everyone can line up along the road to receive him. This is against logic because, according to Kabito, thisis the final term and most school children will be sitting their exams and cannot afford to line up along the road. He was a soldier and now a farmer but still insist on being part of the authority. For example, he has the audacity to criticize university lecturers for allegedly going against policy. He also says that university students should co-operate with the government because, We pays fortheir fees, we pays for their luxury, we give them all necessary, who are they? Pg 56 When he goes for the rehearsal, he tells Boss, Yes, your excellent. I say myself: go and be with cousin as he sees the final one. Pg 69 Roles Mulili symbolizes the excesses of Boss;- He is portrayed as cruel, greedy, vengeful and dictatorial. Tumbo says of him, the most of the advisers is that of his, Mulili. Pg 44 Through him the character of Jere is brought out a principled when the latter amidst Mulili s objections insists that Adika s shaving ceremony will proceed as scheduled. He enhances the themes of misuse of power, corruption and self-preservation. The writer has effectively employed use of humour through Mulili. TUMBOTumbo is a government official and a confidant of Boss, the Head of state. He is Regina s landlord and chairman of the committee charged with the responsibility of organizing entertainment for the visiting of head of state. Despite his limited education, he has managed to acquire wealth and enjoys immense influence owing to his close association to the Boss.


TUMBOTumbo is a government official and a confidant of Boss, the Head of state. He is Regina s landlord and chairman of the committee charged with the responsibility of organizing entertainment for the visiting of head of state. Despite his limited education, he has managed to acquire wealth and enjoys immense influence owing to his close association to the Boss. Hypocritical insincereHe is a beneficiary of Boss government yet given an opportunity he criticizes his regime and those working for it. About Mulili he says, That is why he retired from the army. Until people like him are out, it is dangerous to seem to do things differently in Kafira. Pg 44-45 CorruptHe says that he would not have acquired the blocks of buildings he has if he had depended on empty talk like the university students who he feels talk too much. He says, you were born alone and when you die, you will die alone.... This implies that he has used fraudulent means to acquire property. He pretends to be a socialist when he offers Jusper the chance to write the play to entertain the visiting head of state. He says, You see, the whole program has cost the government some quarter of a million shillings. In fact, I had a mind of writing the play myself, but I thought better of it......eat and let eat. Pg 44 He says a sum of money has been allocated for a play-writing completion but he does not organise the competition. Instead he gives the opportunity to Jusper, of the six hundred pounds meant to finance the competition, he gives one third to Jusper and Regina and says the rest will be used to put records straight pg 49 SycophanticHe has secured his place in the entertainment committee by virtue of his unflinching support for the government. He tells the other committee members, I trust, gentlemen, that you know why you are in this committee. You were nominated for one reason, your unflinching support of our government pg 52-53 CowardlyHe does not live up to what he believes in.


Instead he gives the opportunity to Jusper, of the six hundred pounds meant to finance the competition, he gives one third to Jusper and Regina and says the rest will be used to put records straight pg 49 SycophanticHe has secured his place in the entertainment committee by virtue of his unflinching support for the government. He tells the other committee members, I trust, gentlemen, that you know why you are in this committee. You were nominated for one reason, your unflinching support of our government pg 52-53 CowardlyHe does not live up to what he believes in. He strongly believes that until people like Mulili are out of the government, It is dangerous to seem to do things differently in Kafira. Pg 44-45 He convinces Regina to go and see Boss even though he knows well Boss weakness for women. When Regina is hesitant, he tells her, We can t afford to make him angry at this stage. Pg 46 When Kabito is eliminated and Jusper insists on standing for truth and justice even if it will cost him another year at the university, Tumbo tells him. If you knew what has happened to one of us at the committee, I am sure you would postpone your eagerness to stand by truth and justice. Pg 62 Ignorant inefficient carelessHe does not know who Soyinka is. He thinks he is a prime minister of a certain country he purports to have forgotten. He even insists he is a politician. He does not realize that the achievement Jusper says will he highlighted in the play is meant to portray the government that Tumbo serves in bad light. Mosese says that it is out of his inefficiency that they are able to carry out the palace coupsGullibleHe played along to Mosese, Jere and Jusper s plot to bring down Boss. Mosese says that it was largely through his inefficiency that they achieved their objective. Pg 74 Jusper is able to convince him that he is Regina s cousin.


Mosese says that it is out of his inefficiency that they are able to carry out the palace coupsGullibleHe played along to Mosese, Jere and Jusper s plot to bring down Boss. Mosese says that it was largely through his inefficiency that they achieved their objective. Pg 74 Jusper is able to convince him that he is Regina s cousin. IlliterateWhen Jusper tells him that he drinks as much as he Tumbo drank off the pocket money he got during his university days, a visibly embarrassed Tumbo attempts to justify his limitededucation by claiming that though he qualified for university admission, he sold the scholarship since his family was poor pg 41 RolesTumbo contributes significantly to the development of the plot of the play;i Being Boss confidant he comes out as a major beneficiary of Boss regime. Ii Towards the end of the play, he confesses that he was trained but given the wrong job. This aspect portrays him as sycophantic. Iii It is through his inefficiency that the plot by Mosese, Jusper and Jere to topple Boss succeeds. Iv Through him, we get to know Jusper s character as daring and outspoken and Regina as trusting. V He also highlights the themes of fear, self-preservation and misuse of power. Vi Through him several aspects of style have been effectively used by the writer. They include foreshadow, satire, play within a play and suspense. BOSSHe is the president of Kafira and cousin to Mulili. He plays the role of the chief of staff in the rehearsal. His wife is called Mercedes. Authoritative over-strictBoss leads the country with an iron fist. He wants everything to go his way and cannot stand anyone who appears to block his orders and decisions and he cannot brook dissent. He has signed the death warrants of very many innocent people including Kabito, Adika, Doga and Nina. He warns Jusper against students protests during the rehearsal. He even brags of having given three hundred jobs to expatriates just to prove a point to the protesters. CorruptAccording to Mulili, Boss has acquired a lot of wealth and banked the money in foreign accounts.


He warns Jusper against students protests during the rehearsal. He even brags of having given three hundred jobs to expatriates just to prove a point to the protesters. CorruptAccording to Mulili, Boss has acquired a lot of wealth and banked the money in foreign accounts. When Mulili tells him that Kabito was spreading such allegations he shouts, who gave him that information, just how much does Kabito know about me? Pg 59 . This seems to confirm his corrupt nature. He orders that the tender awarded to Kabito be revoked and goven to Mulili. Boss is also notorious for nepotism. He assigns powerful positions to his uneducated and inexperienced kinsmen in order to secure his interests. He also gives jobs to expatriates in return for foreign donations and funding. He demands that prisoners stage a play for the guest president in order to portray national unity and the involvement of prisoners in national matters. He does this to make an impression that would attract funding. Through Mulili we get to learn that he has stashed huge amounts of money in foreign accounts which has brought down the economy of Kafira. Temperamental impatient cruel brutalRegina says that boss is reported to have a short temper. Tumbo says that Boss is known to make hasty decisions and stand by them. When instructing Mulili to get rid of Kabito, he impatiently orders Mulili out of the palace. Tumbo says that when Boss is angry he does not differentiate between a human being and a rat. He also refers to him as an animal. Proud conceitedHe says that students do not understand what truth and justice is. He says that their protest against foreign expatriates led to the death of a student leader and the imprisonment of a lecturer. To put them in their place, he brings in three hundred more expatriate personnel just to prove his point. He says that five of them are his own personal appointments. Immoral amorousHe has a ridiculous weakness for women according to Tumbo. He also attempts to rape Regina who is forced to escape by jumping a ten foot high window. Incompetent inefficientHe relies on hearsay and propaganda to run the affairs of the state. He admits that Kabito has been one of his loyal servants. He allows prisoners to handle fire arms during the rehearsal which they use to stage the palace coup.


Incompetent inefficientHe relies on hearsay and propaganda to run the affairs of the state. He admits that Kabito has been one of his loyal servants. He allows prisoners to handle fire arms during the rehearsal which they use to stage the palace coup. Vengeful VindictiveHe is averse to criticism. He orders the killing of Kabito since it is alleged that he Kabito raised serious allegations about his integrity. He tells Jusper that since the university students questioned his appointment of expatriate personnel, just to put them in their place, he orders three hundred more expatriate personnel. GullibleHe falls for Mosese, Jere, and Jusper s trick and orders the guards to surrender their guns to be used as props. SuspiciousHe has deliberately put Mulili on the entertainment committee to report directly to him if something should seem to be going wrong. He suspects Tumbo of being behind Kabito saction to discredit him. Tumbo must have a hand in this pg 59 ROLESi. Boss is the architect of the misrule in Kafira. Ii. He has allowed his advisers such as Mulili to unleash terror to innocent civilians. Iii. He is a central character since the events in the story centre around his misrule. Iv. He brings out the character of Mulili as vindictive when Mulili convinces him on the need to eliminate Kabito. He also helps brings out the character of Tumbo as sycophantic. V. Though him several themes are highlighted such as misuse of power, betrayal, and social injustice. Vi. He enhances several stylistic devices such as play within a play, suspense, satire and symbolism. ASKARIHe is a prison warder and is mandated to keep watch over Jere and Mosese. Cruel intimidatingEven though Jere was once a soldier like him, he threatens to teach him a lesson or two if Jere calls him his friend again. He also warns Jere that he has once killed a man in that very cellHypocriticalHe tells Jere that they are giving consideration to his future despite his contribution to the national headache. He pretends to be doing Jere a favour and says he should be filling in forms for his rehabilitation.


ASKARIHe is a prison warder and is mandated to keep watch over Jere and Mosese. Cruel intimidatingEven though Jere was once a soldier like him, he threatens to teach him a lesson or two if Jere calls him his friend again. He also warns Jere that he has once killed a man in that very cellHypocriticalHe tells Jere that they are giving consideration to his future despite his contribution to the national headache. He pretends to be doing Jere a favour and says he should be filling in forms for his rehabilitation. He says that experts have to be called in to give meaning to data collected in the various research centres that the government has put up and which show that rehabilitation ofprisoners is invaluable. He goes ahead to say that this is not the type of work any of these local pretenders would handle. Pg 17 MOSESEHe is a former university lecturer who is later imprisoned for criticizing the ruling elite. Friendly sociableHe easily makes friends with Jere in prison. He also shares his views with Jere . For example, when Jere tells him that he was a soldier before he came to face to face with reality, Mosese tells him that fire has always been there. Pg 22 He explains to Jere the reason he had changed his name an illegal drug was planted on him by a man bearing the same name as him Nicodemus leading to his imprisonment. Intelligent observantHe was a university lecturer. He is also able to see through the scheme that the authorities have. They intend to use prisoners to act a play to entertain a visiting Head of state to symbolize national unity and therefore build confidence in the visitor to encourage him toinvest more in Kafira. Together with Jere and Jusper, he intelligently carries out a palace coup. PrincipledInitially, he refuses to participate in a play to be performed for the visiting head of state. I will not bend so low. Pg 26 . I cannot do it. Among my friends, that would be equivalent to kneeling in front of Boss and pleading for mercy. Pg 27 His change of name was influenced by Boss decision to change his.


I will not bend so low. Pg 26 . I cannot do it. Among my friends, that would be equivalent to kneeling in front of Boss and pleading for mercy. Pg 27 His change of name was influenced by Boss decision to change his. He changed his name since the man who planted a drug on him to implicate him shared a name with him Nicodemus pg 25 SelflessEven though he is not related to Adika who is just one among his many students, he protests his killing and fights injustice but the reward for his effort was imprisonment. DaringTogether with Jusper and Jere he agrees to take part in a potentially dangerous plot to bring down Boss through a play meant for entertaining the visiting head of state. The plan may not work hence they may be labelled traitors. Sceptical Hopeless pessimisticAfter being sent to prison on trumped up charges, he loses faith in the freedom of Kafira. When told that the release of six hundred prisoners will depend on his participation in the play to entertain the visiting head of state, it only makes him feel like he is betraying what he believes in. He feels it would be like kneeling down in front of Boss and pleading for mercy for something he has not done. Pg 28 He does not believe in the Bible teachings that Jere seems to believe in. For example, he says, That is why I don t believe in such crap as the last shall be first, and blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven!..... Pg 28 When Jere tells him that things will change, he says, ......that is why I prefer to wait and see. I will stay here and remain loyal to my principles. Pg 28 Rolesi. Mosese helps highlight the plight of the educated elite in Kafira. Ii. Boss regime seems to deliberately persecute university lectures like Mosese and university student s whom he perceives as his most potent critics. Mosese is arrested and imprisoned for protesting the mistreatment of the family of his late student Adika during the funeral, weeping in public is made illegal for the academic staff. Iii. Through him, the character of Askari is brought out as brutal and inhuman. Iv. He helps develop among other themes the themes of selflessness and misuse of power. V.


Iv. He helps develop among other themes the themes of selflessness and misuse of power. V. He also highlights play within a play, satire and suspense among other stylistic devices. REGINAShe is sister of Mosese and Jusper Wendo s girlfriend. Her concern for her brother and boyfriend is responsible for her confrontational nature. She pleads with Jusper as well as Mosese to co-opertate with the authorities. Fearful cowardlyShe is so afraid of the laid down rules that she demands that Jusper removes the red gown as it makes him appear dangerous. She fears that he might be killed for being a red guard She pleads with Jusper not to talk of revenge for the death of his parents and brother. She says, Jusper, you promised. You promised to be a good boy. Do you now talk of revenge? Pg 33 Jusper tells her that she seems to have lost her fighting spirit like everyone else in the street. PrincipledShe refuses to succumb to Boss compromising demands and escapes by jumping from a ten foot high window. TrustingShe believes that Tumbo will speak to Boss on her behalf. She is convinced that boss will replace the political prisoners to mark the visit of foreign head of state. When Jusper asks her, do you think he means it? She responds, he does. He says he will be in charge of the whole thing himself. And don t forget he is Boss right hand man. Pg 37 ROLESi. Regina highlights major problems affecting Kafira, which is a disillusioned citizenry. Ii. She berates her boyfriend Jusper for being critical of Boss, According to her, nothing good will come out of Jusper s continued antagonism towards the government. She iswilling to allow the status quo to remain out of fear for the well-being of her loved ones. Iii. She pleads with Jusper to stop his agitation, pointing out that Jusper and her brotherMosese are the only people she has in this world, but Mosese was in and that left Jusper to either build or destroy her. Pg 32 iv. She brings the character of as traitorous. Out pd good will she agrees to meet him only for Boss to try to rape her. V.


She brings the character of as traitorous. Out pd good will she agrees to meet him only for Boss to try to rape her. V. She also brings put the portrayal of Jusper as principled and selfless. Through her, the author successfully brings out the themes of betrayal, sexual immorality and misuseof power. The author s effective use of stylistic devices such as satire and humour can also be attributed to her. DOGAHe is Nina s husband and father to Jusper and the later Adika. SuspiciousDoga believes that the individual responsible for the death of their son Adika lives among them. His suspicion is raised by evidence on Adika s grave. Pg 1 Forthright open candidHe tells his wife to calm down when she acts nervous about the violation of their late son s grave and says, What sort of a mother are you? He also disagrees with his wife about informing the sub-chief about the crack on the grave. He can t imagine informing the sub-chief because it is his brother who killed his son. He would rather cheat the ancestors than follow protocol of a wicked government. He also curse Mulili when he proves adamant about allowing them to carry on with the shaving ceremony. He tells him, May you die the way Adika did. Pg 10 OptimisticHe believes that Jusper is Okay where he is. Jusper is alright where he is. Pg 2 PerceptiveHe is able to identify Jere as Kaleka s son despite the later wearing a cap. Pg 9 DishonestHe is determined to cover up any evil on his son s grave by filling the crack on the grave with soil so that the shaving ceremony can go on. Stubborn determinedHe is determined to have his late son s shaving ceremony go on despite the pleas from his wife that people might boycott the ceremony if they knew about the crack in the grave. Grateful appreciativeHe is grateful to Jere for informing them about the whereabouts of Jusper. As a form of gratitude he offers him a pocket bible. Kaleka s son, I have nothing to give you, handinghim a pocket bible take this. Pg 12 Rational realisticHe tells his wife that they need not to cry since tears are for the young and their own wells are dry.


Grateful appreciativeHe is grateful to Jere for informing them about the whereabouts of Jusper. As a form of gratitude he offers him a pocket bible. Kaleka s son, I have nothing to give you, handinghim a pocket bible take this. Pg 12 Rational realisticHe tells his wife that they need not to cry since tears are for the young and their own wells are dry. Devoted religiousHis devotion id depicted by the song he sings with his wife and the prayer he says with her. Later on, he gives Jere a bible. NINAShe is Doga s wife and mother to Jusper and the late Adika. Motherly concernedShe mourns the death of her son and wonders why people would kill him. She is heart broken by the people who come to interfere with his grave and she cannot stand it. The death of her son sends her into mourning. She begs Mulili to allow them to allow them to carry on with the shaving ceremony. She is concerned about the whereabouts of Jusper when she finds that he is not guarding the grave. EmotionalShe weeps besides her son s graveDetermined daringWhen Mulili refuses to allow her to carry out the shaving ceremony, she threatens to strip naked and cause him blindness. HonestShe feels that the evil done to her son;s grave should not be hidden. According to her, one cannot outwit their ancestors. She suggests to her husband that they report the evil to the subchief. It would be wrong for us to sit on this evil. Pg 3 ReligiousShe tells her husband that they need to commit the day on God s hands. They sing and later she invokes a prayer. FearfulShe is concerned about her son Jusper s safety when they fail to find him at Adika s grave. But where is he now? Doga, my heart fails me. Pg 2 STYLE AND LANGUAGESATIRESatire is a form of writing where an individual or society is ridiculed or where the foolishness of an idea, practice or custom is shown. It s a form of criticism of vices through or by use of humour. The writer portrays the evils of the society in a rather humorous way. From the beginning of the play, he depicts the government as insensitive to the needs of its own people.


It s a form of criticism of vices through or by use of humour. The writer portrays the evils of the society in a rather humorous way. From the beginning of the play, he depicts the government as insensitive to the needs of its own people. Adika is shot dead by the sub-chief s brother for leading a demonstration against the employment of many expatriates. Chagaga is jailed and later released because he shot Adika in self-defence other than listen to the protest of the people and consider their demands; the government executes those who oppose its ideas. Government officials such as Askari and Mulili are satirised for their cruelty. They have little regard for human life. Askari mistreats prisoners under his watch such as Jere. He repeatedly threatens Jere and even informs him that he has killed a man in the very cell Jere is in. Mulili has no qualms taking away human life. Mulili and Boss have been satirized for being traitorous. Boss betrays the trust bestowed on him by his subjects. Instead of being a servant leader, he has become a tyrant. A peaceful demonstration by university students is violently dispersed leading to the death of a student;Adika. Instead of securing jobs for the citizens of his country he has resorted to importation of expatriates. His leadership is also characterized by intimidation, assassination and corruption. Mulili is a beneficiary of Boss misrule. Ironically, when tables are turned on Boss by Jere, Jusper and Mosese, he betrays Boss and blames him for the ills in Kafira as well as for killing Kabito. He urges Jere to Kill Boss. Tumbo a government official sinefficiency is satirized. He uses his position to benefit himself. He claims that the reason he never got proper education is that his parents were poor and so he sold his scholarship. He fails in his duty to set up a writing competition, feigns ignorance that it took place and gives the opportunity to Jusper who grabs it to turn against the president and his cronies. When he visits Regina, Tumbo sends Jusper for beer claiming that it is tough being a government official. When we do not quite see what is tough in his line of duty. Tumbo is happy when Jusper highlights in the play the influx of expatriate is a sign of potential progress. Mulili is satirised for being insensitive to the rights of children.


When we do not quite see what is tough in his line of duty. Tumbo is happy when Jusper highlights in the play the influx of expatriate is a sign of potential progress. Mulili is satirised for being insensitive to the rights of children. He suggests that during the head of state s visit, all children and adults should line up on the road to welcome the visitor despite the fact that it s the final term and most of the children will be sitting for exams. IRONYSITUATIONAL IRONYAfter the death of Adika, Jusper went wild singing songs of vengeance and as a result he is taken away by agents of the government to be cooled down. He was said to be dangerous to peace loving people. It is ironical that when he was brought back after three months, he has instead worsened and people said he was mad. Pg 4-5 In prison, one is not allowed to talk too much. It doesn t pay to talk a lot. It is ironical that askari takes great exception to Mosese s silence and tries to force him to talk. Due to the fact that the prison authorities know Mosese as being talkative they will not allow him to keep quiet and demand that he explains what he is keeping quiet about. It is ironical that though while in prison one is expected to show consistency of character and a market improvement, one cannot afford to stick to one s principles otherwise he will never leave jail. According to Jere, the character in the Pilate story his fellow inmate did not want to be Pilate and instead insisted on being Jesus. The said character did not know that being Jesusmeant receiving canes and when Jere caned him, he wailed and Jere was subsequently punished it was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth pg 23 It is ironical that it will take a state visitor to have political prisoners released in Kafira. Jere tells askari that innocence can be an offence. This statement is given credence by the fact that Jere and Mosese are in prison, not because of committing an offence but standing for the truth. Tumbo says that a sum of money has been allocated for a play-writing competition and adds that the democratic part of it is that anyone has to participate yet in actual sense, there is no competition. He goes ahead to pronounce Jusper as the winner of the non-existence competition.


This statement is given credence by the fact that Jere and Mosese are in prison, not because of committing an offence but standing for the truth. Tumbo says that a sum of money has been allocated for a play-writing competition and adds that the democratic part of it is that anyone has to participate yet in actual sense, there is no competition. He goes ahead to pronounce Jusper as the winner of the non-existence competition. News of Jusper s wim will be in the papers the following week. It s ironical that Tumbo will not accept the suggestion that the visiting head of state visits the upcountry to see the progress in agriculture despite the fact that the head of state offered technicians for the said progress. Kabito s attack on the government that Mulili and his likes choke Kafira is ironical since he is a major beneficiary of the system. His appointment to the entertainment committee is reward for his loyalty to Boss. It is also ironical that by pointing out the truth, he is accused of sowing seeds of discord among the other people. According to Boss, grey hair symbolizes wisdom. It is therefore ironic that he is determined to remove all strands of grey hair, claiming that a leader should have grey hair. Pg 58 DRAMATIC IRONYAs Jusper enters, Doga hides behind the bush. The audience as well as Nina is awake of Doga s whereabouts but Jusper is not. Jusper asks Tumbo if he had come to see his Jusper s cousin, The readers as well as Jusper know that Regina is the girlfriend to Jusper and not his cousin but Tumbo doesn t. Mulili is not aware that Tumbo and Nicodemo are already aware of Kabito s death. Tumbo tells Nicodemo, Here he comes. Remember we know nothing. Enter Mulili pg 62 Boss, Tumbo and Mulili are not aware of the plot by Mosese, Jere, and Jusper to topple Boss who is duped into ordering the guards to surrender their guns to be used during the final rehearsal of the play. The readers on the other hand are awake of the plot by the three. IMAGERYThe writer has employed the use of figurative language in the play. Metaphors and similes have been used as follows;I.Similes He was slaughtered like a goat. This show how Adika was killed mercilessly.


The readers on the other hand are awake of the plot by the three. IMAGERYThe writer has employed the use of figurative language in the play. Metaphors and similes have been used as follows;I.Similes He was slaughtered like a goat. This show how Adika was killed mercilessly. While referring to this co-actor in the Pilate story, Jere says of him. He wailed like a woman in a death home pg 23 This is a pointer of the cowardice of the individual. While referring to the terror inflicted on the citizens by Boss and his henchmen, Jusper tells Regina, they come quietly when you are least expecting and before you realize it, they have pounced on you like hungry leopards. Pg 32 Jusper goes on to say, I defended his remains like a man. Pg34 This shows his determination and bravery in ensuring that his brother s grave was not desecrated. II.MetaphorMulili tells Jere, Big coward Jere, you a woman pg 10 The implication here is that Jere is a coward for sympathising with Nina and Doga. Jusper tells Regina, Adika died for the truth......he was killed for asking whether or not we were on the right train pg 34 . Jusper here is adverting that Adika died for questioning how the country was being governed. Tumbo tells Jusper that there is a good potato in the work they are about to do in reference to money. Mulili refers to Jere as chicken hearted pg 44 ALLUSIONAllusion refers to reference to something or someone else without the context of a given text. The writer makes several allusions in reference to the Bible. When Jere canes his cell mate as they act out the part of Jesus Christ and Pilate, he finds himself in trouble when the cell mate cries out. He is stripped naked and caned. He tells them it was a case of an eye for an eye anda tooth for a tooth. This is a verse in the Bible. The above story is an allusion to the Biblical crucification of Jesus. Many citizens of Kafira have been crucified innocently just like Jesus and many others are the pilates that beat upChrist. Doga, Nina and Kabito are among those who die needless deaths.


The above story is an allusion to the Biblical crucification of Jesus. Many citizens of Kafira have been crucified innocently just like Jesus and many others are the pilates that beat upChrist. Doga, Nina and Kabito are among those who die needless deaths. The pilates are exemplified by the likes of Boss and Mulili. Mosese alludes to the biblical inheritance of the Kingdom of heaven in reference to their high expectations after independence. When they are told that their kingdom independence has come, it turns out to be an allusion. Mosese also alluded to the bible when he says ......the last shall be first and blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Pg 27 Mosese questions the validity of this bible verse by pointing out the disappointment of the masses. He is disillusioned that people had placed their hope in Boss regime, only to be disappointed by the turn of events. Boss tells Jusper that when he was acting, he used to be given bad roles. He would die for mistakes that were not his. Jusper tells him, I would say it s sacrifice A kind of death for a future. The sort of role Christ played pg 66 While referring to this mother, Mosese tells Jere, once every year she slaughtered a cock to mark the birth of Christ pg 28 Christmas is alluded here. SYMBOLISMAfter Adika s burial following his killing Nina says that his death has made them blind and left them in blindness. This words blind and blindness symbolize the state of hopelessness or disillusionment of Doga and Nina. Reference is made to the word potato . Nicodemo asks Kabito did you get the potato? Potato refers to the university tender. Kabito insists on knowing their terms of service and Nicodemo proceeds to ask the size of potato per hour they are entitled to pg 53 This is in reference to allowanced due to them. Potato symbolizes corruption that is rampant in Kafira. Boss orders an Askari to untie the hands of Mosese and Jere pg 70 The act of untying the two symbolizes their freedom and by extension salvation or the citizens of Kafira. Askari is a symbol of oppression. Political prisoners like Jere and Mosese are mistreated while in prison.


Boss orders an Askari to untie the hands of Mosese and Jere pg 70 The act of untying the two symbolizes their freedom and by extension salvation or the citizens of Kafira. Askari is a symbol of oppression. Political prisoners like Jere and Mosese are mistreated while in prison. The brutality of the regime is evident when askari says of Mosese ......whenthey brought him in last night , he was all questions. We calculated that two mature strokes would ease the tension pg 19 He informs Jere that he has once killed a man in that very cell. Pg 30 The gun is a symbol of power. The moment the askaris surrender their guns to Jere, Mosese and Jusper, power shifts from Boss to the three. Mulili, Boss and Tumbo are at the mercy of the three. The reappearance od Doga and Nina at the end of theplay after the killing of Mulili is a symbol of change in Kafira, their reappearance at the graveside which now is for Mulili shows that the social order of injustice and misrule exemplified by poor advisors like Mulili has been done away with and now they expect a new Kafira with better leadership and justice. HUMOURThe writer has employed humour in his play. He portrays Mulili humorously. His broken English and barely comprehensible talks ease the tense moments that keep building in the play. Some of the funny statements he makes include;The green grass in the snake instead of the green snake in the grass to refer to hypocrites. Sometimes I wonder why you possession that thing between your legsYou must apology to me this, now pg 57 You play with fire you goat! Mulili s attempt to communicate in English is laughable. Who you call child eeh? Jere you tell him. Tell him what I does with stubborn old mens pg 8 Big coward. Why you doesn t let her get on with it. How many I have seen and I am still Mulili with my two eyes, natural? Look, no goggles pg 9 Mulili s disjointed English is a pointer to his limited education. This is an indication of Boss leadership which regards individuals not on the basis of their qualifications but on the basis of blood relationship and perceived loyalty.


Several instances of proverbs are evident in the text. The writer has used proverbs to illustrate the wisdom of Doga and his realistic nature. He says, a mouse does not share a bowl with a cat. Pg 3 which implies that they cannot share mutual relationship with the sub-chief whose brother, Chagaga, is responsible for the death of AdikaWhen Nina suggests that they should report to the sub-chief what has just happened to the grave, Doga uses a proverb to explain her failure to see the futility of her actions. Thus he says, ....when dry thunder tears the sky before our eyes, do we forget the storm of yesterday? Pg3 Doga insists that the shaving ceremony must go on regardless of the obstacles that they face. He uses a proverb. A cloudy sky does not always cry rain pg 3 Kabito tells Nicodemo, the tree climber begins from the bottom, not top pg 53 . Through this proverb, Kabito wishes to be informed the terms of service of the committee before their meeting. The potrayal of Kabito is that of a materialistic, greedy and self-centred individual. FORESHADOWA foreshadow is a premonition that something is going to happen. Authors use words, signs or events to prepare readers for something that is just to occur. Doga foreshadows Mulili s death when he says Empty words will be your downfall. May you die the way Adika did pg 10 His words come to pass when Jusper shoots Mulili. After his parents are murdered in exchange for his release, Jusper says, I will get my revenge someday, even if it means going alone pg 33 His words are fulfilled when he shoots Mulili dead. While reacting to Tumbo s insistence that she must personally see Boss to secure her brother s release , Regina says, I have this funny feeling that something will go wrong pg 45 Her fears are justified when later on Boss forcefully tries to get her and she is only able to escape by jumping out of a ten foot high window.


This song and the subsequent prayer indicate that the couple can only turn to God for solace after all else has failed. Generally, it is their hope in life because under the Kafira government, they can only trust and obey. It portrays them as religious despite the challenges they are facing. They are seeking for answers through divine intervention. The song and the prayer summarize their total sense of loss and their deep religious devotionCROSS PURPOSEThis style is used in reference to individuals talking about different things in the course of their conversation without realizing it. The first incident of cross purpose is when Doga, Nina and Jusper appear not to communicate and their statements overlap. When Jusper is at cross purpose with Doga and Nina. Jusperappears not to communicate with his parents and their statements overlap. When Jusper is referring to a murder he committed at night, his mother thinks that he imagines killing his father. Doga tells Nina not to detain Jusper and instead allow him to go for he is a nuisance. Jusper responds, he can t go he is dead pg 6 Jusper is referring to Adika;s murderer Chagaga while his mother means that Doga is dead. Jusper and Nina also speak in cross purpose on pg 7 when Jusper asks ...shall I go and confess idid it? To which Nina answers, Yes my son, go and put on a clean shirt and then you can confess Nina thinks Jusper is talking about the ceremony whereas Jusper is talking about confessing that he had killed Chagaga. Mosese and Jere talk at cross purpose. Pg 30-31 While Mosese in his reverie, seems to be talking to imaginary persons. Jere s questions punctuate his reverie. In his attempt to understand Mosese s talk, he finally concludes,When the madness of an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is not enough to say the man is mad. Pg 33 BETRAYAL IN THE CITY ESSAY QUESTIONS1. The Elites play a major role in salvaging countries marred by poor governance. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City2. The government of Kafira is a dictatorial regime that doesn t mind the suffering of themasses.


The Elites play a major role in salvaging countries marred by poor governance. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City2. The government of Kafira is a dictatorial regime that doesn t mind the suffering of themasses. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City3. Revenge is a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped since it hinders development. Explain the veracity of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City4. Kafira is an epitome of corruption in the developing countries. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City5. Deceit reigns in situations of poor governance and with them comes conflict. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City6. A state can be brought down if its leadership thrives on cronism and poor advisors. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City7. Kafira s woes can be attributed to the inefficiency of its leadership. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City8. Betrayal in the city is a perfect satire of the ills in third world countries. . Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Francis Imbuga s Betrayal in the City9. Bad governance creates room for economic opportunism. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga10. Mulili is an embodiment of evil attributes. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga11. Many people in Kafira are traitorous. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga12. Strikes come with many adverse effects. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga13. Write an essay explaining the relevance of the title BETRAYAL IN THE CITY.


Strikes come with many adverse effects. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga13. Write an essay explaining the relevance of the title BETRAYAL IN THE CITY. From the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga14. THE OUTSIDE OF THIS CELL MIGHT AS WELL BE THE INSIDE OF ANOTHER from instances in the play write as essay justifying Jere s assertion drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga15. Oppression breeds misery and conflict. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga16. The situation in Kafira has bred despondency amongst its citizens. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga17. Many eventsand actions in Betrayal in the City are triggered by the need for revenge. Write an essay in support of this statement drawing illustrations from the play Betrayal in the City by Francis ImbugaTHE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE BY BERTOLT BRECHTTHE AUTHORBertolt Brecht was a German poet , playwright and theatrical reformer. He was born in 1898 and became one of the most prominent figures in the 20th -century theater. Bertolt Brecht was concerned with encouraging audiences to think rather than becoming too involved in the story line and to identify with the characters. Bertolt Brecht was born in Augsburg, the son of Beltold Brecht, the director of a paper company, and Sophie Brezing, the daughter of a civil servant. His father was a Catholic, and his mother a Protestant. Both parents hailed from Achern in the Black Forest. Brecht began to write poetry as a boy, and had his first poems published in 1914. Between 1919 and 1921 he wrote theatre criticisms for the left-wing Socialist paper Die Augsburger. After military service as a medical orderly, he returned to his studies, but abandoned them in 1921. During the Bavarian revolutionary turmoil of 1918, Brech wrote his first play, Baal. From this period also dates his poem, 'Legend of the Dead Soldier'.


After military service as a medical orderly, he returned to his studies, but abandoned them in 1921. During the Bavarian revolutionary turmoil of 1918, Brech wrote his first play, Baal. From this period also dates his poem, 'Legend of the Dead Soldier'. It was cited by the Nazis as one of their strong reasons to deprive him of German citizeship in 1935. Like several other poems, it was set to music by the author, and sung to the accompaniment of his guitar in a Berlin cabaret. Brecht's works have be en translated into 42 languages and sold over 70 volumes. The Caucasian Chalk Circle was written in 1944 inHollywood. Drawing on the Greek tradition, he wanted his theater to represent a forum for debate hall rather than a place of illusions. He aimed to take emotion out of the production, persuade the audience to distance from the make believe characters and urge actors to dissociate from their roles. Then the political truth would be more easy to comprehend. Oncehe said: "Nothing is more important than learning to think crudely. Crude thinking is the thinking of great men.". Brecht formulated his literary theories much in reaction to GeorgLuk cs 1885-1971 , a Hungarian philosopher and Marxist literary theoretician. He disapproved Luk cs attempt to distinguish between good realism and bad naturalism. He died in 1956. SETTINGThe Caucasus is a region that bridges Europe and Asia. The Caucasus is divided by the Caucasian mountain ranges into two regions:The northern slopes of the mountains reach into Chechnya and other border states of the former Soviet UnionOn the southern side of the mountains are the modern-day countries Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Grusinia, where The Caucasian Chalk Circle takes place, is a fictionalized version of the modern day countries; Georgia and Azerbaijan towards the end of the WWII in 1944. The play was translated to English by Eric Bentley. The play is a comedy, with a happy ending. The play is based on communism i.e. whoever can make the best use of resources in order to provide for others deserves to get the best of the resources. Brecht shows communism through three stories;i The ownership of a piece of land between goat herders and fruit farmers. In the end througharbitrators, the fruit farmers get the valley because they will use the land better.


Whoever can make the best use of resources in order to provide for others deserves to get the best of the resources. Brecht shows communism through three stories;i The ownership of a piece of land between goat herders and fruit farmers. In the end througharbitrators, the fruit farmers get the valley because they will use the land better. Ii The story about Grusha the kitchen maid, through the use of Solomonic law: Solomon and the baby from the bible . Grusha gets the baby because she deserves him. Iii The story about Judge Azdak. His fair judging in favour of the peasants made him very popular especially among the poor. THE TITLEThe Caucasian Chalk Circle is derived from a circle Judge Azdak orders Shauwa to draw, .............get a piece of chalk and draw a circle on the floor. Pg 97 . Its purpose is to determine Michael s real mother. Both Natella Abashwili and Grusha Vashnadze desire custodian of the child. Shauwa is directed to place the child in the circle and the mother to hold him by the hands and pull him out. Whoever pulls him out of the circle would retain him. It is ironical that Natella, Michael s biological mother, is denied custody of the child when she pulls him out. Grusha declines to tear the child and consequently ends with the child. The title symbolically signifies the possibility of surrendering what might be rightfully yours for better utilization. The play infers from both a Chinese play Circle of chalk written in 1300 AD and a biblical story The judgment of Solomon- 1 Kings 3: 16-28 In the Chinese story, a young girl, HAi-tang, bears a child as the second wife of a wealthy man. His first wife claims the child is her own. However, the second wife is judged the true mother when she refuses to pull the child apart in the test of the Chalk Circle. In the biblical story, two women live in the same house and both bear a child. One baby dies in the night and its mother swaps him for the living baby. Both claim the living child is their own. Solomon orders that the child be cut in two and each half be given to each mother. The real mother of the child gives up the child rather than see him harmed and is judged to be the true mother.


Both claim the living child is their own. Solomon orders that the child be cut in two and each half be given to each mother. The real mother of the child gives up the child rather than see him harmed and is judged to be the true mother. The agriculturist and herders are seated in circles as they negotiate and in the end the herders agree to surrender their claim on the valley of Rosa Luxemburg since they would put it to better use. SYNOPSISThe Caucasian Chalk Circle begins with a prologue which captures a dispute between two communities; the fruit growing and the goat farming one. The clash is over who should own and manage the valley. The Goat Farm Commune Group is the original owner who had relocated due to the advancing Hitler s army. The fruit growing Commune has demonstrated interest in the piece of land. A delegate from Tiflis-the capital of the Soviet State of Georgia-has been sent to settle the dispute. The Fruit Growing Collective Farm has made elaborate arrangements of irrigating the valley so as to make it more productive. The delegate awards the land to the fruit growers because they have plans to use the resources better despite the land originally belonging to the goat farming group. Act one begins when the city of Grusinia has been taken over by the iron shirts and the governor, Georgi Abashwili, is beheaded in a coup that has been planned by his brother, the Fat Prince and his head fastened on a wall. The governor s wife Natella flees and in the process abandons her child, Michael. Fortunately, the kitchen maid Grusha salvages the child from the soldiers and the Fat Prince and escapes with him to her brother's place in the Northern Mountains, pursued by soldiers. She enduresgreat suffering in the way, including hostile and uncooperative people. She finally gets to her brother s place but he the brother insists that she must be married to an almost dying man by the name Jussup. Jussup has faked illness to avoid taking part in the war. When it is announced that the war is over, Jussup miraculously recovers. Grusha is stuck with a husband she did not want. When Simon Grusha s lover returns from the war, he discovers that Grusha is married and suspects that Michael is her child.


When it is announced that the war is over, Jussup miraculously recovers. Grusha is stuck with a husband she did not want. When Simon Grusha s lover returns from the war, he discovers that Grusha is married and suspects that Michael is her child. Later, the child is taken away from her by some soldiers who claim that he belongs to Natella and he is taken back to the Caucasian village. Through a flashback, the writer explains how the Grand Duke is sheltered by Azdak, later to be judge, soon after he escapes the bloody coup. However, Azdak is not aware that he is hiding a dangerous fugitive and fearing he might be branded a traitor he presents himself to the soldiers to be tried and soon wins their favour and is installed as judge. Azdak judges four very weird cases, ruling in each case in favour of the poor. He soon gains reputation for supporting the poor. He serves for two years as a judge, befo re the return of the Grand Duke. He is arrested for being a traitor and as the soldiers are about to kill him, he is saved by the Grand Duke who recalls that he saved his life. He reappoints him to be the judge. The major case that Azdak handles is that of Grusha and the child. The governor s wife wants Michael back because without him, she cannot take over the former Governor s wealth. However,Grusha wants to keep the child because she has raised him for the past two years. Interestingly, even Simon offers to support her in the trial. When Azdak listens to the case, he orders a Chalk Circle tobe drawn, after he learns what Grusha has done to the child. The child is placed in the middle and orders the two women to pull saying that whoever can pull him out of the circle will get him. The governor s wife pulls whereas Grusha lets go. This is repeated and finally, AZDAK gives Michael to Grusha. The governor s wife is ordered to leave. Michael s wealth is taken and made intopublic gardens. The message the author is passing across is that resources should belong to those who make better use of them- the child to Grusha, just the same way the valley goes to those who will take care of it.


The governor s wife is ordered to leave. Michael s wealth is taken and made intopublic gardens. The message the author is passing across is that resources should belong to those who make better use of them- the child to Grusha, just the same way the valley goes to those who will take care of it. In the end, Azdak divorces Grusha from Jussup, paving way for her to get married to Simon. Azdak disappears never to be seen again. PROLOGUESummer of 1945The play begins with a prologue an introduction to a play that captures a conflict between members of two collective farms both who claim a stake in a disputed valley. The two rivals are: Goat Farm Rosa Luxemburg and Fruit Farm Galinsk. The two are neighbours. The goat herding commune claims to be the original owners of the disputed land until Hitler s armies forced them to relocate. The fruit growing commune has laid down an elaborate plan to irrigate the valley for agricultural purposes. They intend to use a dam across the mountain lake and water seven hundred acres of infertile land and plan to plant vineyards and orchards thereA delegate from the State Reconstruction Commission from Tiflis-the capital city-has been sent to arbitrate on the dispute. He intimates that Goat Farm Rosa Luxemburg occupied the valley before moving East on orders from the government. The Goat herding commune is now dissatisfied with their new grazing land which they claim is not palatable to their animals. They claim that the valley belongs to them from eternity and the law attests to that. However, members from the Fruit Farm Galinsk explain the reason why they deserve to own the valley. An amicable solution is finally reached when the land is awarded to the Fruit growing commune and the two groups settle down to eat and drink. Entertainment soon follows when a legendary singer Arkadi- is invited to perform an old Chinese song entitled, The Chalk Circle. This song is about two stories which have a bearing on their resolved dispute. The prologue serves several functions; first, it gives the play a unique structure, secondly, enables the playwright to pass on his her key message and the moral of the play to the reader or audience beforehe or she watches or reads it. Bertolt roots for communism, that whoever can make good use of something should keep it.