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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. |
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. THE NOBLE CHILDThis part opens with Arkadi- the singer narrating a story about Georgi Abashwili, the governor in Grusinia and a rich man who owns numerous horses and soldiers. He is married to Natella and they have a son, Michael. On the morning of the Easter Sunday, the governor s family goes to church. At the gateway, he is confronted by many beggars and petitioners. Mothers hold emaciated children as people with clutches and petitions beg for money. They complain of high taxes, starvation and bribery. The governor ignores them and soldiers whip them with thick leather whips to keep them away. Michael-the governor s son and heir- is brought along and the crowd sees him for the first time. He is carried in a decorated carriage and is attended to by two doctors. Even the mighty Prince Kazbeki bows before him at the church door. Natella informs the prince about the Governor s plan of bringing down the slums to pave way for his garden. The governor has lost interest in the affairs of Grusinian people in spite of the raging war that is taking place. The governor even dismisses a messenger from the cit y bringing some confidential papers for him saying he can only attend to him after the service. Later the adjutant anofficer who acts as military assistant informs the messenger that the governor does not wish to receive military news before dinner. Grusha Vashnadze- governor s kitchen maid- does not attend the service as she has to get a goose for the family s banquet. She is seen talking to Simon Shashava, a soldier, who reveals that he oftenhides behind a bush to watch her dip her legs in the river as she washes her line. Before the awaited dinner and a talk with the architects can take place, the palace is surrounded and the Governor arrested. George Abashwili is executed and the city is in bloodshed. Natella s life is in danger. Servants rush out of the house trying to frantically salvage what they can. |
George Abashwili is executed and the city is in bloodshed. Natella s life is in danger. Servants rush out of the house trying to frantically salvage what they can. A scuffle erupts between the two family doctors over who should attend to the governor s wife who has fainted. Simon comes looking for Grusha. He aims at wooing her. The two have to part ways when Simon is ordered by the adjutant to guard Natella on her way to safety. He gives Grusha a silver chain that his mother had given him. She promises him that she would wait for him and remain faithful till their reunion. The adjutant is seen trying to save Natella from danger but she is reluctant to go without her most valued essentials. The adjutant forces her on a horse back amidst complaints that she has left her wine-coloured dress. She leaves her child Michael behind who falls into the custody of Grusha the kitchen maid. As everyone flees, Grusha decides to hide the child under a blanket and keeps the baby company throughout the night. The following day she flees with the child from the Ironshirts who together with the Fat Prince are looking for the baby, It s a pity they took the brat along, though, I need him urgently. Pg 28 THE FLIGHT TO THE MOUNTAINSThe Singer accounts Grusha escape from the city to the Northern Mountains to save Michael from the Fat Prince and his soldiers. She is carrying Michael in a sack. She journeys along the Grusinian highway on the Northern Mountains after singing The song of the Four Generals. As lunchtime approaches, she has to look for a meal to feed the child. She buys milk from a peasant at two piasters, an equivalent to a week s pay. Having spent most of her money Grusha keeps on moving towards the north as the Iron shirts who want to kill Michael pursue her. The singer tells us that she then arrives at the River Sirra and with the burden of the child weighing on her; she decides to keep him at the doorstep of a farmyard after realising that the peasant woman has some milk. She anticipates the peasant will feed him and goes to hide behind a tree in order to watch what would happen. When the peasant woman finds Michael at her door, she takes him into the house. |
The singer tells us that she then arrives at the River Sirra and with the burden of the child weighing on her; she decides to keep him at the doorstep of a farmyard after realising that the peasant woman has some milk. She anticipates the peasant will feed him and goes to hide behind a tree in order to watch what would happen. When the peasant woman finds Michael at her door, she takes him into the house. She suggests to her husband that they keep the child but her husband tells her to give him to the local priest. AsGrusha hurries off in the opposite direction she bumps on Ironshirts who demand to know where she is coming from. She lies that she is going to meet Simon Shashava. The ironshirts demand the whereabouts of Michael. Grusha gets scared and rushes back to the cottage where she had left the child and pleads with the peasant woman to hide it. Initially the woman agrees to hide Michael but is immediately frightened by the presence of the soldiers. She reveals to the corporal that Grusha left the child on her doorstep. In desperation, Grusha seizes a log and hits the corporal on the head until he loses consciousness. She then grabs Michael and runs away. In her flight from the Ironshirts, she finally reaches the foot of Janga-Tau Glacier after journeying for twenty-two days. She adopts Michael. She removes his silken shirt, throws it away and wraps him in rags. Finally, she arrives at the bridge on the glacier still pursed by the Ironshirts. One of the bridge s rope is broken and half of the bridge is hanging down the abyss. Despite the danger, Grusha is determined to cross the bridge. Luckily they get to the other side of the bridge despite fears and warning by the merchants on the impending danger. She laughs triumphantly to her freedom as theIronshirts pursuing her cannot cross the bridge. Finally, she sings The Song of the Child pg 41 IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINSAfter journeying across the glacier for another seven days, Grusha finally arrives at Lavrenti s her brother house. She expects to be welcomed warmly but this is not the case. Her bother has to cook up a story to convince his religious wife that his sister is on her way to her husband s place at the mountains. |
Finally, she sings The Song of the Child pg 41 IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINSAfter journeying across the glacier for another seven days, Grusha finally arrives at Lavrenti s her brother house. She expects to be welcomed warmly but this is not the case. Her bother has to cook up a story to convince his religious wife that his sister is on her way to her husband s place at the mountains. To have Grusha leave the house, Lavrenti comes up with an idea of getting her a husband. He Lavrenti organizes to get her married to a dying man - Jussup at a fee of 400 piasters. The mother-in-law realizing there is a child demands for an additional 200 piasters for the wedding to proceed. The mother-in-law has hired a cheap monk to unite the two. After the wedding, neighbours who came to witness the marriage ceremony are served with cakes as they gossip. From the gossiping visitors, news indicate that the Grand Duke has assembled an army to fight the princes that rebelled against him the previous year. When Grusha hears that the soldiers are coming back now that the war is over, she is in shock and drops a cake pan. Her worry being that Simon will come back and find she is married to another man. Once Jussup hears the war is over, he miraculously recovers. Jussup gets out of bed and the visitors are shocked to see him. He orders them out of the house before kicking them out. Grusha finds herself in a tight position as she discovers she has a husband yet the man she loves is on the way. Furthermore, Jussup demands that she becomes more intimate with him and accuses her of not performing her wifely duties. With time Simon face grows dimmer and his voice becomes fainter. In a play within a play, we see as Grusha washes linen by the stream accompanied by Michael, she advises him to go play with the other children. As they play they enact the beheading of thegovernor- Michael s father. However, instead of playing the part of the governor like the other children want him to do; he insists that he be allowed to behead the fat boy, who represents the fat prince. This foreshadows the beheading of the fat prince later. |
When he gets to the courtroom he sees the hanging bodies of authority figures and mistakenly interprets the revolution as a people s revolt. His shouts of joy are interrupted by a soldier who tells him he s got it all wrong: it s not a people s revolution but a military coup. An uprising by the rebellious carpet weavers resulted in all the hangings and the soldiers were brought in to suppress them. Azdak is nearly hanged by soldiers. The Fat Prince brings his nephew Bizergan Kazbeki to be installed as the new judge the old judge had been killed by the carpet weavers . Azdak suggest that the candidate s knowledge in law be tested. In a play within a play, Azdak plays the role of the defendant. The soldiers, after test ing the nephew in a mock trial in which Azdak accuses the Fat Prince of profiting from the Persian war, makes Azdak judge instead. Over two years Azdak, with his trusty assistant Shauva, travels the country turning justice on its head, accusing a rape victim of being a rapist herself, sympathising with an old woman clearly guilty of theft, doling out law as he sees fit. Finally the Grand Duke comes back, the Fat Prince is beheaded and Natella Abashvilli returns from exile. Frightened that his behaviour over the last couple of years will land him in trouble now that order is restored, Azdak promises to help Natella get her son back. THE CHALK CIRCLEThe Singer introduces us to the Act by saying it is the story of the trial. The trial is about determining who is the true mother to Michael and in this regard, Grusha has come back to the city to face the law for having taken the Governor s son. As they wait for the judge to come, Simon appears and swears he will say he is the father to the child. Then Grusha spots the Ironshirt whom she clobbered and this makes her regret why she came to Nuka. The corporal leaves cursing as he fears exposing Grusha because he would be admitting that he ran after the child to kill it. The governors wife, Natella, arrives, in her characteristic style, she cannot hide her contempt for the low class and the underprivileged: At least there are no common people here, thank God. I can t stand their smell. |
The corporal leaves cursing as he fears exposing Grusha because he would be admitting that he ran after the child to kill it. The governors wife, Natella, arrives, in her characteristic style, she cannot hide her contempt for the low class and the underprivileged: At least there are no common people here, thank God. I can t stand their smell. It always gives me migraine. Pg 88 Azdak having been declared an enemy of the new regime for having worked with the Fat Prince is stripped of his judge s robes. The Ironshirts and the farmers tear his gown and beat him. He is about to be hanged when a messenger arrives announcing the Grand Duke would like Azdak to remain asjudge, as a thank you for saving his life that Easter Sunday. Azdak presides over a trial in which he must judge who gets Michael Grusha, who has cared for him and put herself through hell for him; or his natural mother, Natella, who abandoned him. A heated debate ensues on who is the rightful owner of the child. The prosecutors explain that Grusha has stolen Natella s child and refuses to hand it over. They advance their case by saying that Grusha does not have any blood relations with the child. On the other hand, Grusha lays claim on the child by saying that she brought him up and always found him something to eat. Hearing both arguments, Azdak is unable to decide. He adjourns the court to hear the case of an old couple who want a divorce. He tells them he ll think about it. Returning to Michael s case, Azdak invokes the ancient wisdom of the Chalk Circle: Michael is placed in the centre of a circle and whoever is strong enough to pull him out must be the right mother. Grusha won t pull, she cannot hurt him. Azdak orders the women to repeat the trial. Grusha again cannot pull. Azdak judges that she must be the right mother. Natella faints. Simon and Grusha thank Azdak, who signs the divorce papers not the divorce of the old couple but Grusha s divorce from the man she married in the mountains. Everyone dances. Azdak disappears. |
Simon and Grusha thank Azdak, who signs the divorce papers not the divorce of the old couple but Grusha s divorce from the man she married in the mountains. Everyone dances. Azdak disappears. The Singer explains that the child has been given to the mother who will be best for it and, reminding us of the prologue, that the land should go to whoever is right for it. THEMESCORRUPTION GREED AND MATERIALISMCorruption mainly refers to lack of integrity or honesty and is mainly manifested by accepting bribes. Corrupt individuals use their privileged positions they have been entrusted with to make illegitimate gains, thus undermining their moral integrity. They are usually driven by greed. Forms of corruptionvary and can include bribery, extortion, nepotism, and general embezzlement of mainly of public funds. George Abashwili is materialistic. As he makes procession to enter the church fort Easter service, many beggars and petitioners try in vain to reach out to him. We learn through his wife Natella that the governor plans to tear down the slums to create room for the garden of the East Wing of palace. All those wretched slums are to be torn down to make room for the garden. Pg 15 After the coup and the beheading of the governor, we see Natella in a hurry to collect her dresses and shoes. She abandons her son Michael as she runs for her safety. Later we learn that the main reason she is claiming her son Michael from Grusha is to get inheritance of the vast governor s estates. The Ironshirts are corrupt. They use their privileged positions to execute others and in the process make illegitimate gains. One Ironshirt says, ...This morning they strung up the city judge. As for us we beat them to pulp. We are paid one hundred piasters per man, you understand? The iron shirts follow Grusha and Michael since a good price is offered. Azdak, the judge, is overly corrupt and his greed unstoppable. He openly takes bribes in the court before listening to a case. He begins by saying, I accept, meaning that he is willing to be bribed. As Azdak executes his duties, his deeds do not measure up to the expected standards. He makes controversial judgements that put his integrity into questions. He sits on the statue book when delivering justice. A pointer to his contempt for what is just. |
He makes controversial judgements that put his integrity into questions. He sits on the statue book when delivering justice. A pointer to his contempt for what is just. He also takes wine in public as he executes his duties. ABUSE OF POWERThe governor, George Abashwili, is said to be as rich as Croesus. He has so many horses in his stable and yet there are so many beggars on hisdoor step. This shows that he amasses so much wealth for himself at the expense of his subjects. They pile along the gate carrying thin children and holding petitions. They cry for mercy and reduction of the high taxes. Pg 14 . The governor has hired two doctors to look after his son Michael-the apple of his eyes. Pg 15 . This is in contrast to the starving and suffering common men who push and shove to see the governor s heir. The governor plans to tear down the slums to start building the East Wing garden for his sonMichael. It does not matter to him that those slums are people s homes. The soldiers also abuse power. ........... Soldiers push the crowd back lashing at them with thick whips. Pg 14 When the crowd pushes to have a peep at their heir-baby Michael- the crowd is pushed back by the iron shirts using thick whips. The Fat prince abuses power when he conspires and overthrows the governor from power. He The Fat prince then orders the governor to be beheaded and his head hanged at the entrance of the palace for all to see. He then orders the iron shirts to follow Grusha and get Michael back; he intends to kill him too. The fat prince also abuses power by practising nepotism, where he intends to have his nephew, Bizergan Kazbeki, to be bestowed as the new judge. ............. So I ve bought along my dear nephew Bizergan Kazbeki, He ll be the new judge, hm? Pg 71 The judge, Azdak abuses power openly by accepting bribes. Before considering any case he utters a short statement- I accept- to mean he is ready to take a bribe. All the cases he judges are in favour of the suffering poor. He fines the wealthy like the farmers heavily, in this way he abuses power to help the poor. LOVE COMPASSIONThe playwright explores the theme of love and friendship through various characters in the play. |
All the cases he judges are in favour of the suffering poor. He fines the wealthy like the farmers heavily, in this way he abuses power to help the poor. LOVE COMPASSIONThe playwright explores the theme of love and friendship through various characters in the play. This is mainly portrayed through the parental love between the governor and his son Michael, Grusha, the kitchen maid and Michael, Grusha s romantic love with Simon Shashava and finally between Grusha and her brother Lavrenti Vashnadze. Michael does not experience the motherly love from his biological mother Natella Abashwili. Fortunately, his father, the governor of the Caucasian City bestows on Michael fatherly love. Michael is attended to by two doctors who never mover from his side to keep him in good health. The Fat prince also notices the child on their way to church and comments that, And little Michael is a governor from head to foot! Pg15 . Natella, Michael s biological mother, is jealous of the attention Michael is given by his father. She says it is impossible for them to live in the slum but her husband would build the East Wing for Michael since he is the apple of the governor s eye. .............. Will only build for little Michael...........Michael is all.......... pg 18-19 . Finally, she abandons him. Grusha loves Michael. She has to overcome a strong tide of opposition from the other servants before she rescues Michael. The groom tells her, Better put him down, I tell you. I d rather not thinkwhat d happen to anybody who was found with the baby. Pg 27 The older woman tells her, Grusha, you re a good soul, but you are not very bright, and you know it. I tell you, if he has plague he couldn t be more dangerous. Pg 27 . Grusha watches over Michael the whole night and by morning as the writer puts it, the seduction between Grusha and Michael i complete, .............till morning the seduction was complete.......she crept away, pg 29 . She also saves the child from being killed by several iron shirts. Just like a mother who loves her child, she makes several sacrifices. She is forced to buy him milk at an exorbitant price using her meagre weekly pay. |
She also saves the child from being killed by several iron shirts. Just like a mother who loves her child, she makes several sacrifices. She is forced to buy him milk at an exorbitant price using her meagre weekly pay. She risks her life to save Michael by hitting a corporal with a wooden log and crosses over to the Northern Mountains using a broken bridge. She has to marry a dying man - Jussup- for Michael s sake and thus risks her engagement with Simon Shashava. The climax of Grusha s love for Michael is shown at the trial scene. Grusha defends for her love towards Michael by saying that she brought him up and that she married because of Michael. When Azdak, the judge, asks for Michael so that he can choose his true mother, Michael s love for Grusha is seen when he smiles at her. After drawing the Chalk Circle, Azdak orders the two women to pull the child out of the circle. Meanwhile, Grusha refuses to pull portraying her motherly love and finally she says, I brought him up! Shall I also tear him to bits? I can t. pg 98 As Grusha flees to the north, she comes across a bridge on the glacier. She is determined to cross but the merchants caution her against risking her life and that of Michael, The merchant woman tells her, But you can t take the child on that bridge. It s sure to break. And look! Pg 41 The next man warns her to think of the baby, I think of the baby. Risk your life not a child s pg 41 . This shows theirlove and compassion for Michael. The love relationship between Grusha and Simon is romantic. It is already sealed through an engagement. They exchange intimate words and inquire about each other s background. Simonremoves a chain from his neck and tells Grusha, ...........my mother gave me this cross.....please wear it. Pg 22 . Grusha promises Simon that she would wait for him. She says, Simon Shashava.....it isjust as it was. Pg 23 . Grusha is introduced to the idea of getting married to Jussup due to the illegitimacy of the child. |
Grusha promises Simon that she would wait for him. She says, Simon Shashava.....it isjust as it was. Pg 23 . Grusha is introduced to the idea of getting married to Jussup due to the illegitimacy of the child. However, deep within her, she loves Simon and wishes that the union would not last long so that she may re-unite with her fianc whom she thinks would willingly take care of Michael. This turns out to be true. True love unfolds when Simon testifies at the court that he is Michael s father. I am the father, your honour. Pg 93 . The climax of the sincere love for each other is portrayed when Grusha informs Simon that, Now I can tell you: I took him because on that Easter Sunday I got engaged to you. So he s a child of love. Michael, let s dance. Pg 99 . This she does after the judgement where she wins the child. When Grusha runs to the North and arrives at her brother s house, her brother sympathises with her and gives her a roof and even makes arrangements for her to get married to the dying man, Jussup. After the marriage, Jussup takes in both her and the child without asking questions, It is her compassion for Michael that makes her to agree to be married yet she is engaged to Simon. NEGLIGENCE OF DUTY IRRESPONSIBILITYNegligence refers to failure to give somebody or something enough care or attention. It also refers to failure to perform one s duty which impacts negatively on others. Georgi Abashwili is the Governor and therefore responsible for the welfare of those under him. Although he is rich, he has so many beggars from the gateway, holding up thin children, crutches and petitions. Although they have come for help, he does not attend to any. It is Easter and therefore onewould expect he would be compassionate enough to listen to their grievances. They complain of taxes being high. One petitioner laments: The child is starving in my arms pg 14 . Although thereis a servant collecting their grievances and another distributing coin s from a purse, none of their petitions is attended to and eventually they are driven back with whips. |
They complain of taxes being high. One petitioner laments: The child is starving in my arms pg 14 . Although thereis a servant collecting their grievances and another distributing coin s from a purse, none of their petitions is attended to and eventually they are driven back with whips. Despite being in a high position and being responsible for the welfare of the people, we are surprised to learn that, he knows nothing about the approaching war and therefore no safety measures have been put in place. When asked about the war, he indicates lack of interest. The Governor has ignored the plight of his subjects. There are so many of them in the slums. To make matters worse he has decided to tear down the slums to make room for a garden for the EastWing he is about to construct. People are complaining of hunger, yet his child has two doctors, The two doctors are also irresponsible in that none wants to take responsibility over the discomfort o f the child. They blame each other over luke warm bath water used to bath the child. The governor is informed by his Adjutant that an injured young rider has come as a messenger from the capital, bringing him confidential papers. He neglects his responsibility to see him and after waiting in vain the messenger mutters a curse and leaves. We are not surprised when we learn that the plotting against the Governor by The Fat Prince happened in the capital therefore we can guess that the messenger comes to warn him. Eventually, the governor loses his life. It is strange that the Governor refuses to talk to the wounded Rider when he appears again but prefers to confer with the architects. The Adjutant says of him, The governor does not wish to receivemilitary news before dinner- especially if it s depressing pg 19 . Because of his irresponsibility in choosing his priorities, he is caught unawares and is beheaded. That is why the singer laments overthe blindness of the great who, ...........go their ways like gods....sure of hired fists. Trusting in their power. But long is not forever. Pg 20 It is the height of irresponsibility when Natella Abashwili takes her time choosing the dresses and shoes to carry. She finally leaves and forgets her child whom she had directed to be laid on the floor. She is busy rummaging through clothing when the Adjutant is busy pleading that they should run for their lives. |
But long is not forever. Pg 20 It is the height of irresponsibility when Natella Abashwili takes her time choosing the dresses and shoes to carry. She finally leaves and forgets her child whom she had directed to be laid on the floor. She is busy rummaging through clothing when the Adjutant is busy pleading that they should run for their lives. She does not care about the many people she is exposing to danger by her delay, Maro, aservant, realizes that, only beasts can leave children behind. She says, They left it behind, the beasts pg 26 Lavrenti, Grusha s brother, is irresponsible and neglects her when he fails to look after her. He marries her off to a total stranger and a dying man it becomes a double tragedy when Jussup does not die and Grusha does not know what to do with a total stranger who is unaware of her plight and yet she cannot marry her lover Simon. As an older brother of Grusha, Lavrenti fails in his responsibility to support her. The monk hired to officiate the wedding is irresponsible. He agrees to join a girl to a dying man. We are surprised that, the monk, a man who should be a role model is upholding morals in a society is called from a tavern. He is drunk. DECEIT, RELIGIOUSITY AND HYPOCRISYReligion refers to having or showing belief in and reverence for a deity on the other hand hypocrisy is deception by pretending to entertain on set of intentions while acting under the influence of another. In The Caucasian Chalk Circle cases of religious hypocrisy are common. Act one of the play begins with Governor Georgi Abashwili going for Easter mass. He is accompanied by his wife Natella, and Michael, their child. Although he would like to pass as a devoted Christian, his regime has oppressed the people it serves. As they enter the church, beggars and petitioners cry over all sorts of problems that bespeaks of a people who have been living in an oppressive regime. They lament, Mercy! Mercy, your Grace! The taxes are too high. I lost my leg in the Persian war....The child is starving in my arms....the water inspector takes bribes...... pg 14 As for the Fat Prince, hypocrisy reigns supreme. |
The taxes are too high. I lost my leg in the Persian war....The child is starving in my arms....the water inspector takes bribes...... pg 14 As for the Fat Prince, hypocrisy reigns supreme. He attends church, wishes the Governor a happy Easter Sunday and bows before Michael. He tickles the child after commenting, I love a gay sky.....little Michael is a Governor from head to foot! Pg 15 . He also tells the governor there is good news after so much bad. This is total deception that he is loyal to the Governor s family. Plans to behead the Governor and end Michael s life are already in place. While he directs the soldier to fasten the Governor s head in the middle, he displays his hypocrisy when he says, This morning at the church...Abashwili...I love a gay sky...prefer the lightning that comes out of a gay sky. Pg 28 The Monk who is supposed to be religiously inclined is portrayed as hypocritical. He presides over the wedding between Jussup and Grusha while drunk. He is found in the tavern perhaps taking alcohol by Grusha;s mother-in-law who threatens to expose him. He is also paid to do the same. Even when Jussup fails to take the vows and instead his mother does it on his behalf, he goes hiding and he has to be looked for by the mother-in-law. Being a religious person, his character should be beyond reproach. It smacks of religious hypocrisy for Jussup to go through the rigorous of a wedding, a much valued religious ceremony, yet he knows he is pretending to be a dying man. Grusha is hypocritical because she is not committed to the marriage as she does it for own expediency. The mourners are also hypocritical. They gobble down the cake without being seriously mournful. They seem to expectantly look forward to the death of Jussup. They are sincerely not sad, only greedily wolfing down the funeral cakes. Aniko pretends to have religious principles that she does not possess. In fact, her hypocritical nature is displayed in her meanness. Lavrenti says she is very sensitive, People need only mention ourfarm and she is worried. Pg 48 . Her servants seem to suffer under her as she shouts orders all over. The maid may not be well paid. She once goes to church with a hole in her stocking. |
Her servants seem to suffer under her as she shouts orders all over. The maid may not be well paid. She once goes to church with a hole in her stocking. Eversince, Aniko has worn two pairs of stockings in church. She is truly hypocritical, feigning to be concerned about Grusha yet she is not. She has false appearance as a devout woman. Lavrenti isafraid of her. He tells Grusha, You can t stay here long with the child. She id religious, you see. Pg 46 . Aniko id painted as really heartless. She is the exaggerated embodiment of certain aspects of religious opinions. Lavrenti is also hypocritical. He also makes Grusha who is honest to be dehumanized by leading her to engage in a fake wedding. He cannot stand up for his sister but sings to the w hims of Aniko, You need a place to go......because of the child.....have a husband, so people won t talk.....can find you a husband. Pg 48 The mother-in-law is hypocritical. She deceives the mourners that Grusha is a bride to Jussup. She pretends that Grusha came from the city to find Jussup alive. The first woman confidentially seemsto know Jussup is faking illess and near death to avoid conscription to the war. Another feels it would be a blessing if he does not suffer too long; so she wishes he dies especially now he is of no use as a farmer as the corn is ripe and there is no one to harvest. POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TURBULENCEBertolt Bretcht has profoundly raised the issue of political intolerance that has consequently resulted to social instability. The ruling class has no regard for the woes of the have- nots. Poor leadership has led to violence and suffering of both the nobles and the masses. First, we are presented with a desperate and deplorable Caucasian village due to war. It is described as war ravaged and is in ruins, That s where we stopped three Nazi tanks but the apple orchard was already destroyed......Our beautiful daily farm: a ruin. Pg 97 The number of villages have declined and people have relocated to other areas. We are told by a wounded soldier, Comrade, we haven t as many villages as we used to have. |
First, we are presented with a desperate and deplorable Caucasian village due to war. It is described as war ravaged and is in ruins, That s where we stopped three Nazi tanks but the apple orchard was already destroyed......Our beautiful daily farm: a ruin. Pg 97 The number of villages have declined and people have relocated to other areas. We are told by a wounded soldier, Comrade, we haven t as many villages as we used to have. We haven t as many hands. Pg 8 The village has been ruined with almost everything being rationed. All pleasures have to be rationed. Tobacco is rationed and wine. Pg 8 People s normal lifestyle is affected as evident when the Goat Herding commune is forced to relocate on orders from the government. They fight to reclaim the land for they are not satisfied with their new grazing land. An old man comments, You can t live there. It doesn t even smell of morning in the morning. Pg 8 Political intolerance has brought fear and insecurity. The girl Tractorist notes that plans to rehabilitate the disputed valley had been conceived during days and nights when they have to take cover in the mountains. She says, Often we hadn t even enough ammunition for our half-dozen rifles. We could hardly lay our hands on a pencil. Pg 10 The effects of political and social turbulences are not restricted to the Caucasian village only. From Arkadi s performance, we learnt that the war in Persia has spilled to the Grusinian people. Under the leadership of the Grand Duke and Governor Georgi Abashwili majority of the poor people have been rendered beggars. The Governor is confronted by many petitioners who are not comfortable in the state of affairs, The children are emaciated. Some people are in clutches while others have been crippled due to the war. They complain about the high taxes and bribery from senior people like the water inspector. The same people cannot win the governor s eye and soldiers cause further suffering when they lash at them with thick whips. The state of the poor is deplorable as evident when the Governor contemplates bringing down their slums in order to create room for his gardens. The political class especially the nobles have no regard to the masses. Michael-The Governor s heir and son- is served by two doctors, He is the apple of the Governor s eye. |
The state of the poor is deplorable as evident when the Governor contemplates bringing down their slums in order to create room for his gardens. The political class especially the nobles have no regard to the masses. Michael-The Governor s heir and son- is served by two doctors, He is the apple of the Governor s eye. The governor is not perturbed by the suffering of the people. He is contemptuous even to the people who have to provide him with security briefs from the capital. A rider with confidential papers has to wait until theGovernor attends the Easter Sunday service and the latter attends his visitors-architects- at dinner. It is this indifference that leads the princes to stage a coup and subsequently orders for his execution. The coup comes with numerous harrowing effects. The singer comments: when the house of a great one collapses many little ones are slain. Pg 20 . The servants panic and fear for their lives asillustrated when they ask, what about us? We ll be slaughtered like chickens. As always. ...... There is bloodshed in the city, they say? Pg21 Coup results to people being internally displaced as seen when the Grand Duke flees and seeks refuge at Azdak s place. The Governor s wife is also relocated to safer grounds while Grusha disappears to the Northern Mountains to protect Michael whom the soldiers desperately want to kill. Political instability has bred inhuman and sadistic characters. The soldiers who behead the governor also fasten his head on the wall with nails. Moral conscience is lost among people like the old man who cannot sympathize with Michael. Grusha has to plead to get milk for the baby. He tells her, milk? We have no milk. The soldiers from the city have our goats. Go to the soldiers if you want milk. Pg 31 Grusha is forced to pay two piasters for a drop. The peasant woman whom Grusha thinks will hide the baby from the Iron shirts betrays her by denouncing Michael. She tells the soldiers, Soldier, I didn t know a thing about it. Please don t burn the roof over our heads.....I had nothing to do with it. She left it on my doorstep. Pg 38 The fabric that holds the society together has therefore been dismantled by political instability. |
Please don t burn the roof over our heads.....I had nothing to do with it. She left it on my doorstep. Pg 38 The fabric that holds the society together has therefore been dismantled by political instability. ANTAGONISM CONFLICTS DISPUTESA conflict is a disagreement that arises when two or more parties dispute or fail to agree. The Caucasian Chalk Circle addresses a number of these disputes. In the prologue there is a conflict between two land owners over the valley-The Goat Herders Collective Farm and the Fruit Growing Commune. They are arguing over the ownership and usage of the valley. The Goat Herders claim they are the original owners of the valley but have been forced to flee by the government because of war. They have come back because the land they have relocated to is not favourable for their goats. Unfortunately the Fruit Growers have laid elaborate plans for the valley which they will irrigate. They purpose to establish fruit and vine orchards. The delegate from Tiflis helps settle the difference between the two communes. There is a conflict between the princes and the Grand Duke. The princess wants to take over power and leadership from the Duke and his Governors. The conflict leads to staging of a coup where the Grand Duke is exiled and the Governor of Nuka-George Abashwili- is beheaded. The judge of the Supreme Court is hanged and Azdak made the judge. There is conflict between Grusha-Governor s kitchen maid- and Natella Abashwili. They both claim motherhood rights to Michael. Natella claims that she is the biological mother while Grusha claims right over the child since she picked him and nurtured him for two years. The mother claims him out of greed for property. The conflict id resolved by judge Azdak who draws a circle round the child and asks the two to pull the child from the circle. Grusha hesitates twice and the judge rules in her favour. Another conflict develops between Grusha and Jussup. When Grusha gets to her brother s home in the Northern Mountains, Lavrenti- her brother schemes to have her married to a dying man ironically it turns out that Jussup has all along feigned illness to evade war and when news breaks out that the war is over he recovers and Grusha is horrified. She had engaged herself to Simon Shashava and cannot imagine cheating on him. |
Another conflict develops between Grusha and Jussup. When Grusha gets to her brother s home in the Northern Mountains, Lavrenti- her brother schemes to have her married to a dying man ironically it turns out that Jussup has all along feigned illness to evade war and when news breaks out that the war is over he recovers and Grusha is horrified. She had engaged herself to Simon Shashava and cannot imagine cheating on him. Jussup complains that she is not fulfilling her matrimonial duties. He argues, Can t the peasant do it herself? Get the brush.....you are my wife and you re not my wife......God has given you sex.. pg 56-57 . The dispute is settled when Azdak gives Grusha a divorce and then she is free to marry Simon. There is conflict between Grusha and Simon when the latter returns from war and finds her at the river washing lines. When he sees Michael, he thinks that she has been unfaithful to him. He gets emotional and walks away. He later on realizes that the baby belonged to Natella. He comes to help her acquire the child during the famous chalk circle. He even lies that he is the father to Michael. Other examples of conflict are between:I Azdak and ShauwaII Azdak and landownersIII The monk and Jussup s motherIV Grusha and the corporalSELF-SACRIFICE AND SELFLESSNESSThis is the act of giving up what one has or wants so that other people can have what they need. It is acting with less concern for yourself than for the welfare or success of others. One cares more about the needs and happiness of other people than their own. Grusha is the best example. When the governor s wife and her personal servant forget Michael, Grusha takes care of him. Other servants advise her to abandon the child for her own good. One old woman tells her, Grusha you re a good soul, but you are not very bright and you know it. Pg 27 Grusha tries to leave Michael but realizes she cannot. |
Other servants advise her to abandon the child for her own good. One old woman tells her, Grusha you re a good soul, but you are not very bright and you know it. Pg 27 Grusha tries to leave Michael but realizes she cannot. The singer tells us that after looking at the baby, Grusha hears as if it is telling her, woman it said, Help me pg 28 Despite the danger in town, Grusha watches over the baby the whole night and the next day takeshim with her. On the way she has to buy the baby milk. When the old man sells to her the milk so expensively, she decides not to buy, but on realizing the baby needs it so badly and the journey is long she goes back and buys the milk. The baby s weight weighs on her back but she moves on. She decides to save the baby from starving by leaving it outside the door of a Fat peasant woman. She tells Michael, The peasant woman is kind, and can t you just smell milk pg 34 She hides behind the tree and observes the woman carry the baby into the house. She risks her life when she hits the corporal to save the baby. Again looking round in despair, she sees a log of wood, seizes it, and hits the corporal over the head from behind pg 39 . It is during her escape that she decides to adopt the baby. Grusha risks both their lives on order to get away from the Iron shirt. This is when she reaches Janga-Tau Glacier. No amount of warning can stop her and she crosses the dangerous bridge afterturning the offer by the merchant woman to hide the baby for her. I won t, we belong together.....live together, die together. Pg41 Grusha has to bear the discomfort of her brother s home. She makes another sacrifice as she has to live with a hard to please sister-in-law. To survive she has to be crafty. She tells Michael they have to be As small as cockroaches... the sister-in-law will forget we are in the house. Pg47 Grusha, who is alredy engaged to Simon and has promised to await his return ends up getting married to a dying man Jussup-to make Michael have a legitimate father. |
To survive she has to be crafty. She tells Michael they have to be As small as cockroaches... the sister-in-law will forget we are in the house. Pg47 Grusha, who is alredy engaged to Simon and has promised to await his return ends up getting married to a dying man Jussup-to make Michael have a legitimate father. This is another sacrifice that she makes. She endangers her life by following the Ironshirts who have taken Michael. She is a wanted person for having attacked and injured a corporal. What matters to her is Michael. She goes through the court procedure for Michael. It is out of her self-sacrifice that eventually Grusha wins the case. Other characters that make sacrifices for the welfare of other people are; Lavrenti who tries as much as he could to ensure that Grusha is comfortable in his house. Simon commitment to Grusha calls for sacrifice. He has been away for two years and remained loyal to her. Simon s big sacrifice to accompany the Governor s wife as her guard to Tiflis. Shalva the adjutant makes sacrifices when her helps Natella escape during the coup. He remains loyal to the governor s family despite the risks as the public has turned against the authority. SOCIAL CLASS INEQUALITYThere is existence of social classes in the society described in the Caucasian Chalk Circle. There is unfair difference between groups of people in this society. Some are wealthier than others and enjoy a high status or opportunities as opposed to others. The diverse lifestyle enjoyed by the governor and his family is in contrast to the object poverty the lowly citizen has to endure. Georgi Abashwili is rich as Croesus pg 13 had a healthy baby ...so many horses in his stable pg 13 -14 In sharp contrast so many beggars in his door step so many petitioners his courtyard.....He enjoyed his life pg 14 The governor and his beautiful wife go to church guarded by extremely many soldiers who are at his service. Beggars and petitioners pour from the church gateway with complains. They display thin children to the governor, others hold up crutches and petitions. They are a pitiful sight. The social difference is due to the poor governance. The governor s family is expensively dressed. |
They are a pitiful sight. The social difference is due to the poor governance. The governor s family is expensively dressed. Natelladerides the poor, For instance on page 18 she says It s impossible to live in such a slum.... When she enters the court, she is relieved that there are no common people: I can t stand their smell. It always gives me a migraine. Pg 88 From the onset, she dislikes Azdak and on pg 89 she says, I disliked that man from the moment I saw him Natella s behaviour is characterized by false pride and an exaggerated sense of self importance. She does not have time for the poor beggars and her servants and only identifies herself. Her contempt for the poor is seen in the court when he sees Michael and laments that he is in rags. The class of people conscripted to fight the Persian war have been maimed, yet they have not been compensated. The down trodden have suffered injustice while they are innocent, My brother is innocent, your Grace misunderstanding -worse still they suffer from hunger. BETRAYALTo betray is to hurt people who trust you especially by not being loyal or faithful to them. When the governor is being arrested, the iron shirts of the place guard who are supposed to guard the governor refuse to obey. They stare coldly and indifferently at the Adjutant and refuse to obey him when he commands them. The doctors betray the Abashwili family immediately they realize the governor has been arrested. Pg 21 on that little brat s account The Fat Prince is with the Governor at the church and even wishes him a happy Easter, yet he is the one who leads the iron shirts in arresting the Governor. Grusha is betrayed by the peasant woman whom she had trusted not to reveal presence of the child. She is also betrayed by her brother. She has been asked by Simon where she would hide and she confidently says she would run to her brother in the Northern Mountains. When she arrives there, her brother cannot host her with the child because he says his wife is religious and cannot host her. Instead of being given a warm welcome, Grusha stays like a fugitive in her brother s house. |
She has been asked by Simon where she would hide and she confidently says she would run to her brother in the Northern Mountains. When she arrives there, her brother cannot host her with the child because he says his wife is religious and cannot host her. Instead of being given a warm welcome, Grusha stays like a fugitive in her brother s house. In order to get her out of his house he gets her a dying husband and when he resurrects she finds herself with a husband she does not love. Jussup betrays his fellow young men, the government and his mother when he pretends to be seriously sick so that he doesn t get drafted to war. Simon feels betrayed by Grusha as she has promised to wait until he returns after giving company to Natella and guarding her on the way to the loyal guards. When he comes, she is apparently married and has a child. He does not know the circumstances that lead her to get married or the nature of the marriage. He feels so betrayed that he cannot even get his cross back but directs Grusha to throw it into the stream. Natella betrays her own child and her husband when she escapes leaving Michael in the courtyard. She orders a servant to put down the child in order for the servant to run for her little saffron coloured boots to match with a green dress. The baby is left behind. JUSTICE. In Caucasian Chalk Circle the writer explores on the beauty of fair and reasonable treatment of people. Through the legal system used to punish people is not perfect the people who have committed crimes are somehow brought to justice. Justice is a fundamental thematic concern in the prologue. The meeting between the Goat Herders and the Fruit Growers is meant to determine which people deserve to own the valley. The Goat Herders who formerly owned the land had vacated at the approach of Hitler s armies. Their intended resettlement encounters opposition from Collective Fruit Farmers. With their delegates they sit in a circle signalling their determination to negotiate between themselves in order to reach a fair and reasonable decision without perverting the cause of justice. A delegate from Tiflis presides over the case. Both sides present their arguments as to the reason why they are deserving owners of the valle y. They arrive at a consensus through the voice of reason rather that by the rule of law. The petitioners and beggars bitterly cry for justice. The governor demurs to heed to their pitiable calls for fair treatment. |
They arrive at a consensus through the voice of reason rather that by the rule of law. The petitioners and beggars bitterly cry for justice. The governor demurs to heed to their pitiable calls for fair treatment. However, reason does not prevail; the soldiers are guilty of abstracting justice by lashing at the pitiful petitioners. They are heavily taxed and expect the water inspector who takes bribes to be brought to justice. Due to the injustice the people suffer, they are somehow rewarded when the Fat Princes and soldiers plan a coup d tat. The grand Duke and hid governors are overthrown. Although the legal system use to punish people like the Governor and the Fat prince is crude, the people engage in administering justice are convicted that they are justified to put the criminals to the gallows for their heinous crimes. The singer voices the importance of acceptable and appropriate handling of fellow human beings. Although Azdak is a criminal, he argues that he should not be arrested for stealing only a rabbit. He expresses the opinion that Shauwa is a worse criminal for catching people and will be judged by God. Later Azdak denounced himself for committing an unpardonable crime of ignorantly letting the Grand Duke escape. He persuades Shauwa to chain him and take him to be judged in Nuka. He begs to be shred to pieces because he is conscience-stricken. This way justice will prevail. Azdak dispenses justice although not in a fastidious or meticulous manner. It is justice in his own fashion. He harbours a soft heart for the vulnerable and down trodden. He encounters no restrictions of the statute book which he seats on instead of making reference to it. The period of his judging is described as a brief golden age, almost an age of justice. Pg 99 . However, he does not acquaint himself with the legal system of the statute book. He carries not, the professional demeanour of a judge. He presides over a number of cases some are handled simultaneously; Most of the accused are acquitted though proved guilty. The plaintiffs are condemned and fined. Azdak rules in favour of the doctor who is guilty of professional negligence. Azdak turns justice upside down to the relief of the vulnerable. His ruling is controversial. He declares to the Doctor; you have perpetrated an unpardonable error in the practice of your profession; you are acquitted. |
Azdak turns justice upside down to the relief of the vulnerable. His ruling is controversial. He declares to the Doctor; you have perpetrated an unpardonable error in the practice of your profession; you are acquitted. Pg 77 Ludovica is accusedof committing an intentional assault yet she is the victim of rape by the stable man who is not sentenced. He acquits the old woman guilty of theft and drinks with the thief, bandit Irakli whom he addresses as pious man. He offers to sit on the floor and offers the judge s chair to the old woman. Shauwa s official designation is prosecutor, however he doubles up as a sweeper. This displays lack of seriousness in court. Sometimes the judge s chair is carried to the tavern where Azdak carries judgement while drinking wine. The singer comments Azdak broke rules to save them pg 82 . He renders verdict to save the poor The poor and the lowly. He dispenses justice in his fashion. When the landowners take law into their hands to get revenge for not getting justice from Azdak, it is his previous human treatment of the Duke that saves him from the gallows. Justices prevails to favour Azdak who is reappointed judge by the order and authority of the Grand Duke who has returned. This dramatic turn of events offers more room for Azdak to preside over other cases such as the famous Chalk Circle. The writer uses Grusha as a vehicle of justice. She fearlessly condemns Azdak for being corrupt. Azdak asks her, You want justice, but do not want to pay for it. Pg 94 . Grusha comments sarcastically, A fine kind of justice pg 94 I d tell you what I think of your justice, you drunken onion! Pg 95 . Grusha is rewarded for her human nature. CHARACTER AND CHARACTERIZATIONA character is a person who takes part in the actions of a work of art. GRUSHA VASHNADZEShe is a kitchen maid in the governor s palace. She is a fianc to Simon Shashava and a sister to Lavrenti Vashnadze. She is the heroine in the play. She rescues Michael who is abandoned by her fleeing mother, Natella after the coup. To survive she makes several sacrifices and choices she stays with him for two years. |
She is the heroine in the play. She rescues Michael who is abandoned by her fleeing mother, Natella after the coup. To survive she makes several sacrifices and choices she stays with him for two years. She is described as;a Loving Caring ConcernedShe is concerned about Simon s fate when he is delegated to be Natella s Abashwili s guard after the coup. She says, Isn t it dangerous to go with her. You are a man Simon Shashava what has that woman got to do with you pg 22 She is concerned about the plight of the Governor she asks What have they done with the governor pg 26 When Michael is left behind by his mother Natella. She picks him up to spare him from being killed by the soldiers who are looking for him. She does this despite the fact that other servants at the palace dissuade her to do so pg 27 . She has lain down all her life for the welfare of Michael. B Courageous Bold Daring BraveHer courage has been motivated by her will to defend Michael. She is not afraid even at the law courts. When told by judge Azdak that she would be fined ten piasters for contempt of court she responds, Even if it was thirty, I d tell you what I think of your justice, you drunken onion pg 95 She hits the corporal until he collapses and gets a chance to flee with the child. In a daring move, she crossses the broken bridge despite the impending danger and risks. In the court room, she confronts the Governor s wife and says, You want to hand the child over to her, she wouldn t even know how to keep it dry. She is so refined. Pg 94 Grusha knows how to fight for her rights. C MotherlyShe is more motherly to Michael than his biological mother. When people run to save their lives and forget the baby she sits with the child all through the night until dawn. Then she takes him away. She suckled Michael just like a mother, and realizing that he is not suckling anymore, she goes to the peasant and tells him, The baby must be fed pg 32 At the trial scene, Grusha cannot bring herself to pull Michael from the chalk circle. When asked why she is not participating she says, I brought him up! |
Then she takes him away. She suckled Michael just like a mother, and realizing that he is not suckling anymore, she goes to the peasant and tells him, The baby must be fed pg 32 At the trial scene, Grusha cannot bring herself to pull Michael from the chalk circle. When asked why she is not participating she says, I brought him up! Shall I also tear him up to bits? I can t pg 98 This test makes judge Azdak choose the mother who is motherly. Grusha adopts Michael bringing out her deeper feelings as a mother would do. She says Since no one else will take you son....we ll see it through together. Pg 39 She does several selfless actions for the sake of Michael. First, she gives up her money for the child, paying two piasters for milk then goes back to save Michael after leaving him with the peasant woman. She even gets married breaking her promise to Simon. D Defensive AbusiveWhen the governor s wife remarks that Michael is in rags and He must have been in a pigsty pg 97 Grusha retorts, I m not a pig but there are some who are! In the court room when Azdak initially fines her ten piasters for contempt of court, she refers to him as a drunken onion pg 55 E Determined ResoluteShe is determined to keep Michael that when the corporal goes to take a look at Michael, she seizes a log and hits him in the head with it, knocking him down. Her determination is also exemplified when she succeeds in getting across the broken bridge thus risking her life and Michaels. At the court when she is asked by judge Azdak if she would want Michael to go back to her mother so that he can be rich and powerful she says, I won t give him up. I have raised him and he knows me. Pg 17 F PossessiveWhen asked by a cook why she must hold on to the baby at any price when the baby isn t hers she says, He s mine. |
Her determination is also exemplified when she succeeds in getting across the broken bridge thus risking her life and Michaels. At the court when she is asked by judge Azdak if she would want Michael to go back to her mother so that he can be rich and powerful she says, I won t give him up. I have raised him and he knows me. Pg 17 F PossessiveWhen asked by a cook why she must hold on to the baby at any price when the baby isn t hers she says, He s mine. I brought him up pg 87 G AppreciativeWhen Simon offers to help her by swearing that the child is his, she says to Simon, Thank You pg 87 H ObedientShe has to miss the Easter Sunday Service to attend to the master. I was dressed to go but they needed another gooses for the banquet. AZDAKInitially he is a village recorder clerk but after he is accidentally chosen to be the judge by the iron shirts. He represents the voice of reason and social justice as he takes from the rich and gives to the poor. He is in charge of determining who the mother will be in the chalk circle. During his initial appearance in stage he is in rags an indication that, he lives in abject poverty. Since he is the village recorder economic hardships triggered by an oppressive and unstable government must have contributed to his degradation. He is a dynamic character who despite his many faults one cannot fail to admire him. Azdak can be described as:-i Intelligent wise skilful knowledgeableHe has firsthand knowledge about political affairs in Persia. He narrates to the iron shirts about the political turbulence in the country, when consulted by the iron shirts about installation of a new judge; he portrays himself as intelligently reasonable and sensible. He proposes that the judge to be appointed should be vetted. Tested to the marrow pg 71 He skilfully sings the song of injustice in Persia in which he is used as a vehicle to highlight evils such as inhumanity, injustice, corruption, economic devastation and poverty. In the play within a play, he intelligently imitates the Grand Duke s accent. His defence is quite impressive. He displays knowledge about how the princes were corrupt and did not lose war because that corruptly made money out of it. War lost but not for the princes. Princes won their war. |
He displays knowledge about how the princes were corrupt and did not lose war because that corruptly made money out of it. War lost but not for the princes. Princes won their war. Got 3,863,000 piasters for horses not delivered, 8,240, 000 piasters for food supplies not produced pg 74 The skilful and intelligent way in which he puts up his defence makes him he installed as the judge. As a judge he disguises his intentions well. He asks for payment from the prosecutors and Grusha. As the prosecutors are able to pay him well, they smile with relief thinking that he would be on their side, He seems to be hard on Grusha especially when he says he wants to be told the truth and especially when he tells her, we ll make it short and not listen to any more lies to Grusha especially not yours pg 93 We are surprised when he later rules the case in her favour. He is able to exchange a dialogue using proverbs with Simon to further his argument. When Simon implies that, since he has been given work by the ruling class he thinks he is of the same class, he answers Better a treasure in manure than a stone in a mountain stream pg 94 . He means although the nobility are corrupt, they are providing him with a means of livelihood, rather than when he would be starving with the morally upright people. The idea of the chalk circle is a sign of intelligence on Azdak part as it finally proves that motherhood is not just the biological process but also the emotional attachment one has towards the child. Ii Hospitable Accommodative welcomingHe accommodates an old man in his hut, who turns out to be the Grand Duke. Although he is in rags his generosity is seen when he offers a stranger cheese and a place to sleep. Iii Considerate Judicious SensibleHe listens to both sides giving them chances to explain their side of the story. After the first lawyer has presented his case, Azdak asks Grusha: What is your answer to all this and anything else the lawyer might have to say pg 91 When she just answers that the child is hers, he asks, Is that all? I hope you can prove it. |
Iii Considerate Judicious SensibleHe listens to both sides giving them chances to explain their side of the story. After the first lawyer has presented his case, Azdak asks Grusha: What is your answer to all this and anything else the lawyer might have to say pg 91 When she just answers that the child is hers, he asks, Is that all? I hope you can prove it. Why should I assign the child to you in any case? Pg 91 He is sensible when he refuses to divorce a couple who have been married for the last forty years but wants to get divorce simply because they don t like each other. Justice is done when the circle is drawn and the mothers are asked to pull the child out of it. IV Cautious suspicious discerningHe is wary of the way the old beggar behaves and he discerns that the beggar may actually bedisguised do not lick your chops like a Grand Duke.......watching you gives me the most awful ideas.....flogger. Pg 64 When the old man offers to give some hundred thousand piasters, he cannot trust him when he says he does not have the money with him. He handles his guest and the people he interacts with a lot of caution. He does trust the old man, ...In short I don t trust you. Pg 66 v Remorseful contriteHe suffers from guilt conscience and reproachfully denounces himself when he realizes that he had harboured and let the Grand Duke escape. In the name of justice, I ask to be severely judged in public trial. I m contemptible, I am a traitor! A branded criminal. Pg 66 His conscience also pricks him for having treated people injudiciously. I ll have to pay for it. I let the...and ...outs get away with murder. I ll have to pay for it.... pg 84 vi HumorousHe makes a joke in court when it is explained that Grusha is engaged to Simon yet is married to a peasant in the mountain village. He asks whether she did so because Simon was not good in bed. Vii Abusive disrespectful insolentHe insults the old beggar when he discovers that he is not a beggar ...walking swindler! |
I ll have to pay for it.... pg 84 vi HumorousHe makes a joke in court when it is explained that Grusha is engaged to Simon yet is married to a peasant in the mountain village. He asks whether she did so because Simon was not good in bed. Vii Abusive disrespectful insolentHe insults the old beggar when he discovers that he is not a beggar ...walking swindler! Peasant flogger and a leech. He tells the old beggar I couldn t hand over a bedbug to that animal pg 65 referring to Shauwa. He insults the iron shirts who have been beating him. He addresses then as dogs living in the dog world. Pg 89 Viii Corrupt unscrupulous undisciplinedHe is overly corrupt. Before he presides over any case he solicits for a bribe when he says, I accept on pg 77 the singer tells us that he is crooked. The way he handles the court cases leaves a lot to be desired. He sits in the judge s chair peeling an apple. He seems overwhelmed by the number of cases he has to handle and so he decides to handle two cases simultaneously. He sometimes presides over serious cases out of the court where the judge s chair has to be carried. He enters from the caravansary...carried pg 77 He presides over another case in the tavern while drinking wine. Instead of referring to the statute book, he sits on itHe sits on the floor and does some personal grooming in the courtroom. Azdak sits on the floor shaving...... pg 83 There isn t a standard way of charging clients and it seems all are charged differently. Grusha is first fined ten, then twenty, then thirty and finally forty. Viii ImmoralOn page 93 while addressing Grusha he says, Is he no good in bed? Tell the truth this is in reference to Simon. In the court, he admonishes Grusha for not, making eye.....and wiggling her backside a little to keep him.....in good temper. Pg 95 GEORGI ABASHWILIHe is the governor of the Grusinian people, Natella s husband and Michael s father. |
Viii ImmoralOn page 93 while addressing Grusha he says, Is he no good in bed? Tell the truth this is in reference to Simon. In the court, he admonishes Grusha for not, making eye.....and wiggling her backside a little to keep him.....in good temper. Pg 95 GEORGI ABASHWILIHe is the governor of the Grusinian people, Natella s husband and Michael s father. He is beheaded on Easter Sunday after his brother the Fat Prince successfully stages a coup. He is described as;I Irresponsible inhuman insensitiveHe lacks commitment to the people he is serving. He uses his position to mistreat the poor and the less fortunate in the city of Nuka. The deplorable nature of the beggars and petitioners shows that they have been neglected and are living in abject poverty. He is not interested in the state of war. He ignores a messenger rider from the capital who comes with confidential papers. He will not attend to this matter until after the service. This annoys the rider who, .....turns sharply round and, muttering a curse goes off pg 66 II Hypocritical selfish self-centredHe appears to be more interested in the Easter Sunday service than the people he serves. Christian values dictates that the weak and poor should be considered yet he ignores the many beggars and petitioners who flock the gateway. He is more concerned about his personal interests. He intends to bring down the slums to pave way for his garden. He engages two doctors to take care of his son yet the beggar s children are thin, with scarcely anything to eat. He has accumulated so much wealth around him that the singer compares his richness to Croesus a king of Lydia who was known for his riches His contempt for the poor masses is telling, when he ignores them as he enters the church. III LovingHe refers to his son as the apple of his eye. Two doctors are responsible for him. He is ready to build a whole wing which makes his wife Natella jealous of their son. NATELLA ABASHWILIShe is the wife to Governor Abashwili and biological mother to Michael. When the coup takes place,she leaves behind her child and later, she tries to reclaim him back from Grusha, the lady who salvaged him. |
He is ready to build a whole wing which makes his wife Natella jealous of their son. NATELLA ABASHWILIShe is the wife to Governor Abashwili and biological mother to Michael. When the coup takes place,she leaves behind her child and later, she tries to reclaim him back from Grusha, the lady who salvaged him. She is portrayed as;I Materialistic greedyShe is so much concerned with earthly things and wealth that she even forgets her child when she is fleeing. She cannot imagine leaving behind her personal possessions such as dresses. This is done oblivious of the danger she is exposing herself and the servants to. I ve got to take this silver dressit cost a thousand piasters...the wine coloured one? Pg25 She desperately rummages into the trunks looking for her most valuable essentials. She cannot even dream of escaping on a horse back despite prevailing danger. Such nonsense! I wouldn t dream of going on horseback! Pg 25 II Contemptuous Vain proud self-centredHer behaviour is characterised by false pride and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. She does not have time for beggars and her servants. She only identifies herself with people of class. She insults a young woman who already assured her that no harm has come to her dress. Nothing in your head, but making eyes at Shalva....I ll kill you, you bitch. She beats up the young woman. Pg 24 She is offensive by nature. She lacks respect for human beings. She refers to Azdak as a creature. What sort of a creature is that Shalva pg 85 she comments that Michael must have been in pigsty because he is dressed in rags. When she enters the courtroom, she sighs with relief that there is no common man around. She says she cannot stand their smell as it always gives her migraine. She looks at Grusha and asks contemptuously, Is that the creature pg 88 III Careless irresponsibleShe orders the woman holding Michael, Natella s own son to put him down so that she can get her little saffron coloured boots from the bedroom. She is not interested in the child. No wonder the child is left behind as she flees. |
She looks at Grusha and asks contemptuously, Is that the creature pg 88 III Careless irresponsibleShe orders the woman holding Michael, Natella s own son to put him down so that she can get her little saffron coloured boots from the bedroom. She is not interested in the child. No wonder the child is left behind as she flees. IV Pretentious HypocriticalThe first lawyer cautions her against speaking disrespectfully about people until they have another judge, she retorts, But I didn t say anything.....I love the people with their simple straight forward minds. It s only that their smell brings on my migraine pg 92 At the courtroom, she pretends that she is very affected by the loss of her child. She describes her loss as, A most cruel fate, sir, forces me to describe to you the fortunes of a bereaved mother s soul, the anxiety, the sleepless nights the....... pg 92 V WickedWhen Azdak is lifted up and dragged under the noose. The governor s wife claps her hands hysterically and comments, I disliked that man from the moment I first saw him. Pg 89 SHAUWAHe is a policeman and a guard that accompanies Azdak to Nuka on request to a court trial. He doubles up as a prosecutor and a sweeper in court during Azdak s term as judge. He can be described as;I Compromising tolerant patientHe does not arrest Azdak for his criminal activity of stealing rabbits. Instead he tries to reason with him, ....When prince s rabbits are stolen......I m a policeman ....should I do with the offending party pg65 . Although Azdak remains stubborn and unwilling to change his behaviour Shauwa is tolerant and patient with this. He tells him, You caught another rabbit....you d promised me it wouldn t happen again. Azdak claims the rabbit should be exterminated. He is oblivious of the tricky circumstance he places Shauwa in. The latter is tolerant and persuasive instead, Azdak don t be hard on me. I ll lose my job if I don t arrest you. I know you re a good heart pg65 . |
The latter is tolerant and persuasive instead, Azdak don t be hard on me. I ll lose my job if I don t arrest you. I know you re a good heart pg65 . Shauwa is a policeman with power to arrest Azdak but instead Azdak incriminates him and orders him to go home and repent which Shauwa does. II Obedient Submissive AccommodatingHe cooperates with Azdak who request him to take him to Nuka. He is forced to walk half the night with Azdak to clear the whole thing all by threat. All Shauwa says is, That wasn t nice of you Azdak pg 66 He takes orders from Azdak even in the circumstances when he has the right to rebel. Azdak shouts at him, shut your mouth Shauwa, shauwa does not respond to this angry outburst. Pg 67 He obediently agrees to tell the iron shirts how Azdak had shouted at shoemaker street when ordered to by Azdak. They confronted him in butcher street...Shoemaker Street. That s all pg 67 He is ordered by Azdak to sing with him as he holds the rope around Azdak. He sings. III Agreeable ResponsibleHe appears to be a pleasant person, quite easy to get along with. During the reign of Azdak as judge, he takes responsibility of the difficult duties as being prosecutor and at the same time sweeping and serving Azdak like a servant. He reports to Azdak and does what he is ordered to do. Public prosecutor drop your knife pg 78 Shauwa obeys. Shauwa reports all the cases to Azdak without influencing him and showing any bias. He serves Azdak wine in the tavern. Shauwa brings him wine pg 79 sometimes he reports the cases while sweeping busy sweeping Blackmail pg 76 IV Caring ConcernedWhen the Grand Duke returns and Azdak is scared that he will face the consequences of his actions, Shauwa warns him when he presumes there is danger someone s coming pg 84 SIMON SHASHAVAHe is a soldier of the palace guard who remains at the door when the Governor and his family enter the Church. |
Shauwa reports all the cases to Azdak without influencing him and showing any bias. He serves Azdak wine in the tavern. Shauwa brings him wine pg 79 sometimes he reports the cases while sweeping busy sweeping Blackmail pg 76 IV Caring ConcernedWhen the Grand Duke returns and Azdak is scared that he will face the consequences of his actions, Shauwa warns him when he presumes there is danger someone s coming pg 84 SIMON SHASHAVAHe is a soldier of the palace guard who remains at the door when the Governor and his family enter the Church. He is ordered to accompany the governor s wife, Natella Aba shwili as her guard. He isGrusha s betrothedHe is portrayed as:I Loyal obedientHe accepts to accompany the Governor s wife as her guard to Tiflis. He takes up the responsibility despite the risks involved in being identified with the Governor s family. Grusha warns him, isn t it dangerous to go with her pg 21 When ordered by the Adjutant to move, he stands attention and goes off. II Inquisitive CuriousIn his encounter with Grusha, he asks ceaseless questions. May I ask if the young lady still has parents -My second question is this, - is the young lady as healthy as a fish in water. When he comes back from the war and finds Grusha by the river, he wants to know whether she is sill faithful to him and whether the child is hers. III FaithfulFor the two years he is away for war, he remains faithful to Grusha. This explains why he is eager to know the relationship between Michael and Grusha. To show his commitment to Grusha he offers to assist her in the case and even says that Michael is his. IV HumorousHis conversation with Grusha on Pg 17-18 is full of humour. A goose He feigns suspicion I d like to see that goose. I only went for a fish. V Loving concerned responsibleWhen he returns from war, he goes to look for Grusha at the Northern Mountains. He asks her How are things here? |
I only went for a fish. V Loving concerned responsibleWhen he returns from war, he goes to look for Grusha at the Northern Mountains. He asks her How are things here? Was the winter bearable? When the Governor is toppled and killed he comes to look for Grusha: Grusha! There you are at last! What are you going to do? Pg 21 When he is delegated to accompany Natella by the Adjutant and Grusha complains. He answers That woman has nothing to do with me. I have my orders and I go pg 22 He cares about the welfare of Grusha when he acquires about the parents, whether she is healthy and if she is impatient. He gives Grusha a silver chain to cement their relationship. He is always there for her. VI Impatient Hot temperedHe does not take time to listen to Grusha s explanation that she has been faithful to him. To him she is married and has a son. He tells her, Give me back the cross I gave you. Better still throw it in the stream. Pg 61 VII Wise PrudentHe makes use of several proverbs in answer to Azdak A fine day, lets go fishing said the angler to the warm pg 94 A well can t be filled with dew, they say pg 90 VIII AppreciativeWhen he realizes that Azdak has granted Grusha divorce, he is so grateful that he tells the judge that forty piasters are cheap when one considers what he has gained. Cheap at your price, your honour. And many thanks. LAVRENTI VASHNADZEHe is Grusha s brother and husband to Aniko. When Grusha flees to the mountains, he accommodates her and makes arrangement for her to get married to the dying man -Jussup. He is potrayed as;a Fearful cowardly timidThe manner in which he quietly and quickly inquires from Grusha whether there is a father to the child indicates that he is fearful. He is intimidated by his wife. Due to this Lavrenti anxiously says that they must think something up. |
He is potrayed as;a Fearful cowardly timidThe manner in which he quietly and quickly inquires from Grusha whether there is a father to the child indicates that he is fearful. He is intimidated by his wife. Due to this Lavrenti anxiously says that they must think something up. He fears that the priest had questioned Grusha about the child and only gets relieved to hear that Grusha did not tell him anything. He is fearful of the people who are already gossiping about the illegitimate child. Due to the fear of his wife and people he organizes for a fake marriage for Grusha so that people won t talk. So people won t talk pg 49 The singer comments, The cowardly brother.......giver of shelter pg47 b Hospital welcomingWhen Grusha flees to the mountains and finally lands at his home, he welcomes her cordially despite the initial fears he has on how his wife will react. C Deceitful dishonest untrustworthy untruthfulHe lies to Aniko that Grusha is on her way to her husband and Grusha says she got married to a man on the other side of the mountain. He plans to steal Aniko s milk money to use it for Grusha s wedding. To cover up his wife s weaknesses, he purports she is sensitive and religious. D Crafty cunning schemingIn order to get rid of Grusha, he plans for her marriage with a dying man. He does this secretly without informing his wife. He wants to ensure that they do not suffer shame so he makes people believe that Grusha actually had a husband on the other side of the mountain. People mustn t know anything pg 47 . He organizes the marriage without consulting Grusha initially, only to inform her later about the arrangement. He hides the baby from the monk and only brings out the baby when the ceremony is over for he knows very well that the vows cannot be reversed. ANIKOShe is Lavrenti s wife and a sister-in-law to Grusha. She is portrayed as;a Hypocritical pretentiousShe is portrayed as being religious but lacks religious qualities. Grusha arrives at their home worn out and tires, all she is concerned is about Grusha s single status. |
ANIKOShe is Lavrenti s wife and a sister-in-law to Grusha. She is portrayed as;a Hypocritical pretentiousShe is portrayed as being religious but lacks religious qualities. Grusha arrives at their home worn out and tires, all she is concerned is about Grusha s single status. If your husband s not in the city, where is he....has your husband got a farm...but when will he come back if the war s broken out again as people say? Pg 46 Lavrenti explains to Grusha that she cannot stay for long with them because Aniko is religious. ... But you can t stay here long with child. She s religious; you see pg46 b Arrogant proudWhen Grusha faints she says, Heavens she s ill what are we going to do....as long....as its not scarlet fever.......if it s consumption we ll get it pg 45-46 She keeps on shouting to the servants Sosso! Where on earth are you? Sosso! Pg 46 c Cold UnwelcomingWhen she is introduced to Grusha instead of welcoming her, she asks I thought you were in service in Nuka....wasn t it a good job? We are told it was. Lavrenti has to defend her to Grusha She has a good heart. But wait till after supper pg 46 Grusha even has to tell Michael, Michael we must be clever, if we make ourselves as small as cockroaches. The sister-in-law will forget we re in the house and then we can stay till the snow melts pg 47 MOTHER-IN-LAWShe is the mother to Jussup. She makes arrangement with Lavrenti to have his sister married to her son Jussup on his deathbed She is portrayed as;a Materialistic greedyShe is to be paid by Lavrenti 400 piasters for having Grusha marry Jussup. When she discovers that there is a child, Lavrenti has to offer 200 piasters more and she readily agrees to have the marriagetake place My Jussup doesn t have to marry a girl with a child...all right make it another 200 piasters. Pg 50 . |
She makes arrangement with Lavrenti to have his sister married to her son Jussup on his deathbed She is portrayed as;a Materialistic greedyShe is to be paid by Lavrenti 400 piasters for having Grusha marry Jussup. When she discovers that there is a child, Lavrenti has to offer 200 piasters more and she readily agrees to have the marriagetake place My Jussup doesn t have to marry a girl with a child...all right make it another 200 piasters. Pg 50 . She hires a cheap monk to perform the wedding in order to save. She saved on the priest the wretch. Hired a cheap monk pg 50 b OpportunisticTakes advantage of her son s illness to make money by marrying him off on his deathbed. The son of this peasant woman is going to die.... How much does the peasant want? Four hundred piasters pg 49 she also gets a chance to add more money when she discovers that the bride has a child Lavrenti has to add two hundred piasters more. C Hypocritical dishonestWhen she sees Grusha with the child, she weeps, saying that her people are honest and she does not want to live with the shame. She makes the monk accept that Jussup has accepted the marriage: Of course he is! Didn t you hear him say yes? Pg 51 d PretentiousWhen she arrives with the monk, she tells the guests I hope you won t mind waiting a few moments? My son s bride has just arrived from the city. An emergency wedding is about to becelebrated pg 51 . Grusha has not arrived from the city nor is she her sons beloved. When the monk and she enter the bedroom, she tells him, I might have known you couldn t keep your trap shut pg 51 . This means she is not amused by the arrival of the guests. When the monk inquires about the child, she tells him, Is there a child? I don t see a child...you understand? Pg 52 ARSEN KAZBEKIHe is referred to as the Fat Prince. He is a brother to the Governor. He plots and stages a coup, with the help of ironshirts that leads to the killing of his brother-The Governor. |
Pg 52 ARSEN KAZBEKIHe is referred to as the Fat Prince. He is a brother to the Governor. He plots and stages a coup, with the help of ironshirts that leads to the killing of his brother-The Governor. When the Grand Duke returns after two years he is deposed and beheaded. He is portrayed as;a Hypocritical insincereHe pretends to be so much pleased with the governor s family that he bows and remarks sarcastically that Michael is a governor from head to foot. He hypocritically terms George s intention of bringing down slums to pave room for the garden, good news. Good news after so much bad pg 5 He has instigated war against the Grand Duke and the Governor; He intends to overthrow the government. He then claims that the universally loved judge has been hanged. My friends, we need peace, peace in Grusinia! And justice! So I ve brought along my dear nephew Bizergan Kazbeki pg 71 He pretends that he wants the ironshirts to confer and democratically decide who should be judge yet at the same time informs his nephew, Don t worry my little fox. The job s yours pg 71 . More so he intends to ignore the Ironshirts once the Grand Duke is arrested. He tells his nephew and when we catch the Grand Duke, we won t have to please this rabble any longer. Pg 71 b Sadistic callous inhumanHe schemes for the murder of the Governor and once he is executed, he orders the drunken soldiers to fasten his head on the wall using nails. He desperately looks for Michael so that he can kill him. He comments, It s a pity they took the brat along though, I need him, urgently pg 28 c Crafty scheming cunningHe schemes to install his nephew as judge by influencing the Iron shirts but they stage a rehearsal with the nephew acting as judge. He tells the nephew. It isn t customary....who got there first. Pg 72 d CorruptHe fights for his nephew to be installed as judge. The iron shirts outwit him in his own game and the position goes to Azdak. E GreedyHis plan to overthrow the system run by the Grand Duke is motivated by greed for power. |
It isn t customary....who got there first. Pg 72 d CorruptHe fights for his nephew to be installed as judge. The iron shirts outwit him in his own game and the position goes to Azdak. E GreedyHis plan to overthrow the system run by the Grand Duke is motivated by greed for power. He evenkills the Governor, his brother, and act that shows the extent hunger for control and power can push one to. Since evil begets evil, he is executed the same way he killed his brother. LANGUAGE AND STYLEStyle in literature can be described as how the author uses literary elements such as words, sentence structure and figurative language to describe events, ideas and objects in their work. Stylistic devices refer to a variety of techniques used by writers. PLAY WITHIN A PLAYPlay within a play involves having another play within the main play. It is important as it helps in plot development, bringing out various themes and character traits. The play The Caucasian ChalkCircle is three stories presented in one; The story of the Goat Herders and Fruit farmers,The story of Grusha and Michael and The story of Azdak as the judge.these are thus presented as plays within the main play. The story of The Caucasian Chalk Circle , borrowed from a Chinese tale is presented as a play within a play. There is a meeting of the delegates who are trying to resolve the puzzle of who owns the piece of land between the fruit farmers and the goat keepers. When an agreement is reached, the peasant woman on the left invites Arkadi Tscheidse, the singer, to entertain them. There is also a play within a play when Michael and other children enact the beheading of the Governor. It is used to show the extent of evil in society as the children who are so innocent clearly portray it. Michael refusing to be the one to be beheaded shows he is the chip off the old block-the Governor s son. It is also a satire of criticism of the senseless and cruel behaviour in the society. The play within a play is used to bring out the self sacrificing nature of Grusha. As seen when she takes care of Michael as he own son, through it various stylistic techniques such as use of song, Irony and flash back are evident. Various themes such as hypocrisy, negligence of duty among others are also brought out. |
The play within a play is used to bring out the self sacrificing nature of Grusha. As seen when she takes care of Michael as he own son, through it various stylistic techniques such as use of song, Irony and flash back are evident. Various themes such as hypocrisy, negligence of duty among others are also brought out. The story of Azdak the judge is also a play within a play. It begins when Azdak helps the old beggar who late turns out to be the Grand Duke. It ends with Azdak judging Grusha s and Natella s case using The Caucassian Chalk Circle. This play within a play exemplifies the themes of justice, abuse of power and greed. Another play within a play is when the Fat Prince wishes to appoint his nephew Bizergan Kazbeki, as the judge. He requests the drunken Iron shirts to vet him. They perform a mock trial which involves Azdak who poses as the Grand Duke and the nephew poses as the judge. The Iron shirts takes up the roles of the people who have come to listen to the proceedings of the case. Azdak is blames of running the war badly but he instead blames the princes rather than himself. He is able to make several successful attacks on the prince s corruption. Here, we learn how the princes mismanaged the war and blamed it on the Grand Duke. The nephew fails to make a judgement sincehe is out-witted by Azdak and the ironshirts unanimously settle on Azdak as the judge. The first ironshirt tells him, Go to the judge s seat! Now sit in It! Pg 74 JUXTAPOSITION CONTRASTThis is a stylistic feature used by writers to put people or things side by side in order to show the contrast or their differences. This style has been used to enhance dramatic effect. The act of Governor George Abashwili entering the church is juxtaposed with the image of the soldiers pushing the common people out of the way. This contrast undermines the religious significance of going to church. This is exemplified when the soldier says, Get back! Clear the church door. Pg 14 Grusha buys milk for Michael and pays two piasters. This is her week s salary. This amount of money used is a sacrifice for Michael. This contrasts the 100,000 piasters offered to Azdak by the Duke for one night lodging ....persuasion! |
This is her week s salary. This amount of money used is a sacrifice for Michael. This contrasts the 100,000 piasters offered to Azdak by the Duke for one night lodging ....persuasion! Pay hundred thousand piasters one night, I tell you...where are they? Pg 64 . This contrast is meant to bring to fore the glaring gap between the rich and the poor. This satirises the society that puts more value on money to show the difference in the levels of wealth in social classes. Consequently, Azdak uses his position to take from the rich and give the poor. Thus, he fines the rich invalid, The Blackmailer, the innkeeper, and the farmers all of whom are wealthy. During the wedding of Jussup and Grusha, the monk says, Dear wedding and funeral guests! Pg 53 . This depicts two contrasting life eventualities, one representing continuity and the other- end. There is also an instance of juxtaposition where the goat and fruit farmers are placed side by side to establish the deserving owners of the valley. Natella and Grusha are juxtaposed to establish the difference in level of love: true motherly love for a child and love for material wealth out of the peril of the child. Other characters that have been contrasted are Lavrenti with his wife Aniko, Simon and Grusha, Grusha and other peasants working for the Governor, among others. HUMOURDespite the occurrence of serious issues explored within the play, there are humorous incidents. We are presented with doctors; Mika Loladze and Mishiko Oboladze. They are in charge of Michael and quarrel over trivial issues. May I remind you...that I was against the lukewarm bath ....more likely a sight draft during the night. Your Grace...no cause for concern, your Grace. Pg 15-16 It is humorous that these two doctors described as dignified would quarrel over Michael s coughing. In another comic episode, the two argue over whom will take charge of Natellla now that she has fainted after chaos and death erupt in the palace. Niko Mikadze, it is your duty as a doctor to attend Natella Abashwili....you neglect your duty........ pg 21 It is humorous to find the two going to an extent of fighting in the middle of a catastrophe. |
Your Grace...no cause for concern, your Grace. Pg 15-16 It is humorous that these two doctors described as dignified would quarrel over Michael s coughing. In another comic episode, the two argue over whom will take charge of Natellla now that she has fainted after chaos and death erupt in the palace. Niko Mikadze, it is your duty as a doctor to attend Natella Abashwili....you neglect your duty........ pg 21 It is humorous to find the two going to an extent of fighting in the middle of a catastrophe. This humour serves to lessen the tension that is created when George is assassinated. It also brings out the character of the two doctors as incompetent and irresponsible characters. When Simon encounters Grusha, there is humour when he says he watches over her as she washes linen by the willows, There s more. Your toes and more....your foot and a little more.... pg 18 There is humour when a drunken peasant sings, There was a young woman who said: I thought I d be happier, wed but my husband is old and remarkably cold so I sleep with a candle instead pg 54 When Shauwa knocks at the door, Azdak says that he is not in. Azdak explains himself to Shauwa possibly to escape the arrest. .... Shauwa don t talk about things you don t understand. The rabbit is dangerous and destructive beast. It feeds on plants especially on the species of plants known as weeds. It must therefore be exterminated, he adds, I...man is made in God s image. Not so a rabbit...I m a rabbit-eater, but you re a man eater...go home and repent. Pg 65 SATIRESatire refers to the way a writer ridicules an individual or the society in a humorous way, with an aim of bringing desirable change. The playwright exposes weakness of leaders who have been entrusted with power and fail to do what is expected of them. People are oppressed and live in misery. The beggars and petitioners are crying that they do not have enough to eat and they feel neglected. The policing administration is criticized for the inhuman treatment of the suffering lot. They lash them with whips to keep them away from the Governor and his family instead of sympathizing with their plight. |
The beggars and petitioners are crying that they do not have enough to eat and they feel neglected. The policing administration is criticized for the inhuman treatment of the suffering lot. They lash them with whips to keep them away from the Governor and his family instead of sympathizing with their plight. The governor and his wife pretend to be religious yet they display their contempt for the lowly class. The governor is a political leader but surprisingly, lacks interest in political matters. He ignores the rider who has confidential papers from the capital in preference to personal matters. Instead, he meets the architects to discuss building plans. The governor is ignorant of serious issues such as a meeting held by princes in the capital in which a coup was planned, ironically, one of the architects is fully aware of the plan to overthrow the Grand Duke and his Governors. Pg 15 . His political nature is being ridiculed because being in political position means he ought to accord political matters serious consideration. The police administration s brutality is criticized for the inhuman treatment of the suffering lot. They lash them with whips to keep them away from the Governor and his family instead of sympathizing with their plight. The Fat prince pretends to be so much pleased with the governor s family that he even bows and remarks sarcastically that Michael is a governor from head to foot and yet he had plan ned to kill the Governor that very day. When he tells the Governor he loves a gay sky, he is not sincere. Aniko, wife to Lavrenti and sister-in-law to Grusha claims to be religious, However, she is presented as mean, egocentric, selfish and inhospitable. She bullies around her husband and tries to throwGrusha out of the house as she fears what the neighbours will say for hosting an unmarried woman with a child. The monk s religious hypocrisy is also satirized. He is expected to be religiously inclined but he has many weaknesses. He oversees Grusha s marriage to Jussup while drank. He is actually paid to perform the ceremony but as a monk, he is expected to devote his life and time to religious matters, which he does not. The Governor s wife is satirized through her vain behaviour. She does not have time for the poor beggars and her servants and only identifies herself with people of class. After the coup her main concern is the clothes she is going to carry, only essential!.......the green one! |
The Governor s wife is satirized through her vain behaviour. She does not have time for the poor beggars and her servants and only identifies herself with people of class. After the coup her main concern is the clothes she is going to carry, only essential!.......the green one! And of course, the one with far trimming..... pg 24 On the same page she adds, ........get my little saffron-coloured boots..... I need them for green dress. In haste to save her dresses, she leaves her son Michael as she flees. When Michael coughs Natella s attention is drawn to him and she wants to know what is up. She even asks her husband whether he had heard the baby cough. She then givens a stern warning and advises the two doctors in charge of the child to be more careful. When he sees Michael after he is brought in by the ironshirts, she remarks that He s in rags pg 97 Natella has very low regard for the underprivileged. Pg 18 , she says, It s impossible to live in such a slum,,,, When she enters the court, she is relieved that there are no common people: I can t stand their smell. It always gives me migraine. Pg 88 From the onset, she dislikes Azdak and pg 89 she says, I disliked that man from the moment I first saw him. This foreshadows the fact that she may not get a fair judgement from him. IRONYIrony refers to an incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs or is. It is also the use of words that convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning. There are different types of irony for example verbal irony where the speaker says direct opposite of what is meant. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows facts in a text which a character in the text is ignorant of. Other types of irony are situational, comic and tragic irony. The playwright has used this style in several areas in The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The irony of situation is that George Abashwili, the Governor plans to remodel and enlarge his palace. ... In the afternoon his Excellency will confer with prominent architects. Pg 19 He even proposes to pull down the peasant shacks on the estate. |
Other types of irony are situational, comic and tragic irony. The playwright has used this style in several areas in The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The irony of situation is that George Abashwili, the Governor plans to remodel and enlarge his palace. ... In the afternoon his Excellency will confer with prominent architects. Pg 19 He even proposes to pull down the peasant shacks on the estate. Natella says, All those wretched slums are to be torn down to make room for a garden. Pg 15 . This is ironical in that this will be a garden for the privileged at the expense of the poor majority. Irony is further seen when this same estate is confiscated for the state at the court when Azdak declares it would be given to the people and made into a play ground for children. He says, ....your estates fall to the city...Azdak s gardens. Pg 98 Also the Governor s plans do not pull through because he is executed that afternoon. The Play Wright uses the noble child Michael, to bring out irony. Being the only son to the Governor, he has two doctors for his medical care. It is ironical when the coup takes place, the doctors Niko Mikadze and Nika Loladze abandon the child. Mika says, ...Do you really think ...little brat s account? Pg 21 . The situational irony is that the child has two doctors while the common people are suffering. The Governor s wife, who thinks that the Governor pays more attention to Michael than to her, is more concerned with her elegant dresses and forgets her baby. Ironically, Grusha a servant girl saves the child from being killed by the Fat Prince. She is more willing to be a guardian to the infant than her wealthy mistress. The biological mother of the child. The incident when Grusha plans to abandon Michael at the doorstep of a peasant woman s house has been developed through use of irony. Grusha s plans are well intentioned since she thinks the peasant will be kind enough to give Michael milk and she assumes that are far enough from the city. This is exemplified when she says, now you have wet yourself again...you can t ask that can you? Pg 34 . Irony is brought to the fore when her thoughts are displayed in the chorus, because I am single....someone who s newly poor. Pg 35 . |
Grusha s plans are well intentioned since she thinks the peasant will be kind enough to give Michael milk and she assumes that are far enough from the city. This is exemplified when she says, now you have wet yourself again...you can t ask that can you? Pg 34 . Irony is brought to the fore when her thoughts are displayed in the chorus, because I am single....someone who s newly poor. Pg 35 . When she meets the ironshirts she runs back to save Michael. Ironically, her plan with the peasant woman betrays Grusha, who hits the corporal over the head with a log of wood just to save Michael. When Grusha manages to cross the rotten bridge, she laughs her way to freedom and shows the Ironshirts the child. Ironically, this freedom does not last for long as she suffers in her brother s house because of Michael. She is too weak to walk and her sister-in-law who is portrayed to be religious ironically does not apply the religious principles but uses religion as an excuse to kickGrusha out of her home. Lavrenti only allows Grusha to live in his house over winter. Due to the same reasons he has given to his religious wife over Grusha s marital status, Lavrenti forces Grusha to marry a dying man from the other side of the mountains. This is especially because of the presence of the illegitimate child. The irony of the situation is that the brotherly love that Grusha had expected from Lavrenti is not forthcoming; he ends up complicating Grusha s live when he organizes for the fake wedding. Jussup, Grusha s dying husband, illness is developed in an ironic manner. The peasants comment on Jussup s health status. They initially thought Jussup was faking illness in order to avoid being drafted in to war. They regret having felt that way because Jussup really appears about to die. When the guests continue to talk and eat, one of them remarks that the army can no longer draft anyone as the war is over. Jussup suddenly sits up in bed; the most ironic possible scenario of his death is no more. He is alive and kicking. Azdak s judgement at the court is presented in an ironic manner. |
Jussup suddenly sits up in bed; the most ironic possible scenario of his death is no more. He is alive and kicking. Azdak s judgement at the court is presented in an ironic manner. Brecht has used this style to point out that Azdak is a disappointed man and would not cause disappointment to others. The judgment pronounced on the cases in ironical. The doctor who operates a patient on the wrong leg is acquitted for perpetrating an unpardonable error on his practice. The farmer who accuses the old man for receiving his stolen animal is fined five hundred piasters and ironically the suspect is made to sit the same table with the judge ....you granny and you....and Azdak! Pg 82 Natella, the Governor s wife, is using the child Michael as a means of acquiring inheritance. Her claim that she is the mother of Michael is not due to her motherly love. The Chalk Circle brings out an ironic twist when Grusha does not pull Michael. Ironically, Natella the real mother rushes to pull the child but Grusha says, I brought him up! Shall I also tear him into bits? I can t! Pg 98 This determined the deserving mother as the one who is motherly. USE OF IMAGERYImagery refers to the use of figurative language to represent ideas, objects or actions. It can also be defined as the use of descriptive language that appeals to our senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. This is mainly done through metaphors and similes. A MetaphorsA metaphor is a figure of speech in which an expression word or phrase which ordinarily refers to one thing is used to denote another in order to suggest a similarity. It suggests the likeness between the two. The girls Tractorist says, I started the fire myself, This means she started the onslaught herself against the Nazis. Pg 97 There is also reference to a bloody time pg 13 . This denotes time of war characterized by violence and death. In the chorus pg 32 , the ironshirts pursuing Grusha are likened to bloodhounds , dogs that are known for their powerful sense of smell. |
Pg 97 There is also reference to a bloody time pg 13 . This denotes time of war characterized by violence and death. In the chorus pg 32 , the ironshirts pursuing Grusha are likened to bloodhounds , dogs that are known for their powerful sense of smell. On page 65, Azdak likens the old man grand prince to a bedbug to suggest he is a pest Azdak thinks it is Ludovika who assaults the stable man with a dangerous weapon which means she is provocative. The Fat prince refers to his nephew my little fox pg 71 to hint at his traits and to show how confident he is that he will be made the judge. B SimilesThis is a figure of speech that directly compares two things that are related using connective words such as like , as or resembles The Governor Georgi Abashwili is described thus: He was rich as Croesus, pg 7 this compares him to the king of Lydia who was defeated by Persians and was known for his immense wealth, his name is synonymous with wealth. The singer castigates the insensitive leaders thus: O blindness of the great! They go their way like gods..... pg 20 After the coup, the servants say among themselves, we ll be slaughtered like chickens, as always pg 21 . This suggests they are not safe. Simon asks Grusha, Is the lady as healthy as a fish in water? Pg 22 . Grusha is compared to a thief; probably for the reader to pass judgement on whether she is justifies to take Michael, we are told: As if she was a thief she crept away! Pg 29 When Grusha is sheltered at her brother s house, she tells Michael that they should make themselves as small as cockroaches pg 47 to escape the wrath of her sister-in-law. |
Simon asks Grusha, Is the lady as healthy as a fish in water? Pg 22 . Grusha is compared to a thief; probably for the reader to pass judgement on whether she is justifies to take Michael, we are told: As if she was a thief she crept away! Pg 29 When Grusha is sheltered at her brother s house, she tells Michael that they should make themselves as small as cockroaches pg 47 to escape the wrath of her sister-in-law. Indeed, Lavrenti remarks, why are you sitting there muffled up like coachmen.... pg 48 To suggest that she cannot run away from Michael, Grusha tells him, I came by you as the peat trees comes by sparrows pg 49 Azdak says law is a sensitive organ, .....like the spleen, in delivering justice, we are told by the singer he, Broke law like bread he gave them. Pg 82 SONGSMany songs have been sung by Arkadi and other characters in the play. Some are at the beginning of the scene, others within the scene and at the end of the scene. The governor is introduced through a song. Before we meet him, we are told about what king of a person he is as follows:- He was rich as CroesusHe had a beautiful wifeHe had a healthy baby pg 13 We learn that he has many beggars and petitioners whom he ignores. This song juxtaposes the rich governor with the majority poor folks who wait for hand outs in form of coins which are distributed by a servant. Simon Shashava, the soldier, and Grusha, a kitchen maid are also introduced to us before we meet them. We learn of their relationship. The song on pg 18 is summative. It summarizes the action. The Governor s palace foreshadows restlessness. The palace is said to be a fortress but is surrounded by soldiers. We anticipate the death of the Governor. ..... Noon was the hour to die. These words are followed by the appearance of the Fat Prince. The stage is set for the execution of the Governor by the Fat Prince. The tension surrounding the Governor s execution is found in the song on pg 20 , in the song, stage directions are given e.g. |
For instance it says, ...who had no bread at all have full granaries... pg 84PROVERBS AND WISE SAYINGSMany proverbs have been used by the playwright. The capability to use proverbs in one s conversation is interpreted as a sign of wisdom. It also shows masterly of one s own language sinceproverbs and wise sayings require comprehension of metaphors, similes and symbols in one s community. When Grusha points out to Simon that it must be dangerous for him to accompany Natella Abashwilias her guard on her flight, he replies with a wise saying- in Tiflis, they say: Isn t the stabbing dangerous for the knife? Pg 21 means as the knife stabs what it is supposed to, it is also in danger of breaking or bending but it still stabs anyway. Likewise, a soldier protects others despite the danger he exposes himself. When they meet in the courtyard and Grusha is rushing to collect her personal effects, She accepts Simon s proposal long before he even proposes. Simon feels embarrassed and responds, haste, theysay is the wind that blows down the scaffold a temporary building built for workers round a building that is being constructed, If they are blown away then the builders will not be able to buildthe permanent structure as they will have no where to stay just like Grusha and Simon will not have a marriage if she is not patient enough to listen to the information that will cement that relationship. When Michael and other boys are playing the game of cutting off the Governor s head, the other children want Michael to play the Governor s role of just bending and his head is cut off but Michael adamantly refuses and says he wants to be the person to cut off. The other children disagree but Michael is adamant so when they shout to Grusha that Michael won t play his part, Grusha laughsand says, Even the little duck is a swimmer, they say. Pg 58 Meaning even though Michael is young, you cannot command him since he is the son of a Governor and so others do what he demands and not vice versa. When Azdak discovers that the fleeing duke is not a peasant but a land owner he orders him out but the Duke make him a proposition. |
By Azdak replying that, I m my own master, said the servant; and cut off his foot, means one does not have to do outrageous activities to prove that one is independent minded. Simon replies by showing that, people are able to see through their tormentors hypocrisy when the latter professes to love the farmer and therefore still give them their due. This is proved when he says, I love you as a father said the Czar to the peasants, and had the Czarevitch s head chopped off. Azdak knows that despite the appearance, he is still on the poor people s side yet Simon does not realize this, so that is why he concludes the discussion by saying, A fool s worst enemy is himself. Pg 94 From all the above, it is important to note that, the cook, Grusha, Azdak and Simon are the only people who portray positive traits in the society. They portray a sense of wisom as seen when they are highlighted as the only characters that employ proverbs and wise sayings. ALLUSIONAllusion refers to a passing reference or indirect mention of something or someone the reader is expected to know. The playwright alludes to the king of Lydia 560 BC-547BC who was defeated by Persians and was known for his immense wealth on pg 7. We are told that the Governor Georgi Abashwili was, rich as Croesus. The girls tractorist also quotes the poet Vladimir Mayakovsy, pg 10, a Georgian born in 1883. He wrote the poems, The Cloud and I which are among the most popular during his time. Singer alludes to Jesus when he remarks, And now you don t need an architect, a carpenter will do, pg 20 . The Governor needs Jesus to save him from his predicament. The play infers from both a Chinese play Circle of chalk written in 1300 AD and a biblical story The judgement 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. |
The play infers from both a Chinese play Circle of chalk written in 1300 AD and a biblical story The judgement 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 chil d. 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. SARCASMThis is the use of humorous language to ridicule or to convey scorn, especially saying one thing but implying the opposite. The Fat Prince is sarcastic when he says, and little Michael is a governor from head to foot! Tititi! Pg 15 . Simon is sarcastic when he tells Grusha: Why shouldn t I wash the linen by the willows! That s good, really good! Pg 17 . On pg 18, the singer says, And the goose was plucked and roasted But the goose was not eaten this time. This refers to the killing of the Governor and draws an analogy to the goose Grusha kills for the Governor s family. When the singer says, And now you don t need an architect, a carpenter will do, pg 20 , the playwright is sarcastic towards religion as this alludes to the fact that the Governor needs Jesus, who was a carpenter to intervene on this Easter Sunday. This will of course not happen. The dying man refers to Grusha as, A nice thing you ve saddled me with! A simpleton for a wife! Pg 57 When Grusha is fined ten pisters for using indecent language in court, she sarcastically lambasts Azdak and his corrupt ways by saying, A fine kind of Justice! |
The Christian church has been used as a tool to support the upper class and keep the lower classes in their places. The historical church subverts the original teaching of Christ who treated all humans with respect. The garden that Governor Abashwili want to establish for his son by knocking down slums for thepoor symbolises oppression and insensitivity of the rich towards the poor. Ironically, Azdak later rules that the Governor s estate should revert to the poorFORESHADOWINGForeshadowing is a situation where a writer gives a sign of something that will come later on a work of art, that which is important or appalling. When the Fat Prince greets his brother Governor Georgi Abashwili, this is quite unusual until the Governor remarks, .....But did you hear Brother Kazbeki wish me a happy Easter? Which is all very well, but I don t believe it did rain last night. Pg 16 . The relationship between the brothers is thus foreshadowed by the Governor s comment, in which he expresses surprise at being greeted by his brother. The brother later executes him. Natella, the governor s wife, seems to have an unstable mind and poses, I hardly know if my head s still on. Where is Michael? .......... Pg 24 . Later she forgets to carry his as she flees. Another important moment is when Natella, the governor s wife, tells, her adjutant how jealous of Michael she really is, She is desperate for attention from her husband. But Georgi, of course, will only build for his little Michael, Never for me! Michael is all! All for Michael! This jealousy of her child is important since she abandons him later in the act. Shortly before Azdak makes the ruling on who should take Michael between Natella and Grusha, the boy smiles at the latter. This foreshadows the ruling made by the judge as Grusha is finally given child. Azdak tells the old man Grand Duke to encircle the cheese on the plate like it might be snatched from him pg 65 This foreshadows the chalk circle that is drawn to choose a mother for the child,Michael. Pg 97 REVISION QUESTIONS AND EXPECTED POINTSQuestion 1Justice is an important institution in any well governed community. |
This foreshadows the ruling made by the judge as Grusha is finally given child. Azdak tells the old man Grand Duke to encircle the cheese on the plate like it might be snatched from him pg 65 This foreshadows the chalk circle that is drawn to choose a mother for the child,Michael. Pg 97 REVISION QUESTIONS AND EXPECTED POINTSQuestion 1Justice is an important institution in any well governed community. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Bertolt Brecht s The Caucasian Chalk Circle 20mks i In the prologue there is the dispute over the ownership of the valley, presided over by the delegate from the capital, Tiflis. -. Emphasis is laid on fairness in order to avoid the reoccurrence of future disputes. -. The fruit farmers and the goat herders amicably discuss a resolution to the dispute. -. It is decided that the land goes to the fruit and vine growers amicably as they would make better use of the land. -. The agreement is followed by a party to seal the deal ii Justice is also portrayed by the test of the chalk circle- In the old story, the real mother is revealed by the test. -. Her feelings for the child are too deep to allow her to gain it by force that injures the child- The child is taken from the natural mother, Natella Abashwili who is only after the inheritance and given to the false mother Grusha Vashnadze who has the greatest feelings of love for the boy Michael Abashwili iii Justice is also shown in the way Azdak s good turn in protecting and giving shelter to the Grand Duke. -. Eventually he is rewarded when the Grand Duke appoints Judge just in time to save him from the hangman s noose- Azdak then proceeds to dispense justice to the poor and down trodden in a manner never witnessed before in the land. Iv Adzak s two year reign as Judge is treated as an era of rough justice especially for the poor and vulnerable in society. -. The singer says he broke the rules to save them- At long last the poor and the lowly had someone who was not too holy to be bribed by empty hands. QUESTION 2Human weaknesses affect characters negatively. |
Iv Adzak s two year reign as Judge is treated as an era of rough justice especially for the poor and vulnerable in society. -. The singer says he broke the rules to save them- At long last the poor and the lowly had someone who was not too holy to be bribed by empty hands. QUESTION 2Human weaknesses affect characters negatively. Explain the truth of the above assertion with reference to Bertolt Brecht s The Caucasian Chalk Circle 20mks Points of interpretationThe following must come out clearly;- Weakness of a character- Details of that weakness- How it affects that character negativelyW1. Natela Abashwili s weakness on adoring things. -. She forgets her child at the time of war and takes clothes and boots instead, pg 25 - The maid escapes with the child to save his life but Natela later goes for the child because she wants to inherit the governor s estate. -. She loses both the child and the estate. WII The fat prince greed and hunger for power- Eliminates his brother to get his power,WIII The governor s lack of concern for his subjects. -. He oppresses his subjects forcing people to go to war, charging high taxation. -. He loses his life and power. WIV- Lavrenti and his wife undermines family values. -. Fails to give Grusha a warm welcome though she comes from town where war has broken out tired and sickWV The self righteous nature of Aniko shown through her hypocritical actionsWVI- Natela s hatred for the poor. She undermines Grusha during the court case feeling thatGrusha is too poor to keep the child. -. She finally loses the child to the poor Grusha due to her arrogance. Question 3Discuss the consequences of Fighting and war in any society with evidence from Bertolt Brecht s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. IntroductionFighting and war in any society has far reaching consequences. During war people s normal lifestyle way of living is disrupted and there is a lot of destruction of property and lives. Bertolt Bretch has shown how war affects people in his play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Body- During war, the innocent and the vulnerable suffer the most from the effects of war and fighting. |
During war people s normal lifestyle way of living is disrupted and there is a lot of destruction of property and lives. Bertolt Bretch has shown how war affects people in his play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Body- During war, the innocent and the vulnerable suffer the most from the effects of war and fighting. The servants say this about their employer, the Governor s family: They even have to have their weeping done for them p 26 . Michael is being hunted down to be killed yet he is not aware of the war, being only an infant. -. There is disruption of people s normal lifestyles as farms and homes are abandoned. Resettlement has to be negotiated afresh after the war. See p7 prologue . As a result of war, there are ruins of a war ravaged Caucasian village, the people orchard is already destroyed and the once beautiful dairy farm is a ruin. -. People s livelihoods are destroyed as the goat herders complain of the low quality of cheese they now produce from their new settlement. The old man whom Grusha requests to sell her some milk retorts: Go to the soldiers if you want milk. The soldiers of the Grand Duke burn the houses of innocent people and kill them making it difficult for them to live peacefully. -. War creates internal refugees. The farmers and the goat herders have been displaced from their homes having been uprooted by the Germans. Grusha and her fellow workers flee into the Northern Mountains as a result of fighting in the city. -. Fighting and war breeds civil wars and counter coups as warring groups fight for supremacy. The grand Duke is overthrown by the princes who murder his governor but they are in turn rounded up and killed when the Grand Duke takes back powers. -. There is rampant landlessness during the war and fighting as seen in the cases presented before Azkak. He has been a thief as Shauwa says. The soldiers and policemen also break the law they are meant to uphold. The two farming groups goat herders and the fruit growers are landless. -. War results in exploitation and oppression. For instance, in The song of injustice in Persia. It is stated that the kings are driven by greed in their quest to acquire new territories by impoverishing peasants. Their sense of imperialism drives them into unrealistic adventures that Azdak refers to as the roof of the world ironically, as the soldiers kill each other, the marshals assault each other. |
For instance, in The song of injustice in Persia. It is stated that the kings are driven by greed in their quest to acquire new territories by impoverishing peasants. Their sense of imperialism drives them into unrealistic adventures that Azdak refers to as the roof of the world ironically, as the soldiers kill each other, the marshals assault each other. -. There is fear and apprehensions which are direct effects of this war. Jussup feigns illness and lies in bed for a long time for fear of being drafted into the war. He only recovers when he hears that the war has ended. The song of the centre clearly portrays the fear among the soldiers at the front line. It says that if one wants to survive the war and come back home one has to remain at the center p47. The peasant woman at whose door Grusha leaves Michael shows extreme fear and apprehension at the sight of the soldiers. She disowns Grusha s agreement with her to claims that the child is hers and instead falls down on her knees begging for mercy. Grusha has to flee again with Michael. Accept any other relevant point. Expect 4 well developed illustrated points. Question 4. The society depicted in The Caucasian Chalk Circle is one that ignores important issues and gives priority to less serious ones leading often with disastrous consequences. Discuss the validity of the statement with illustrations from the play. Introduction: May be General or SpecificMany people ignore the important things that matter in their lives and instead pay attention to useless things that don t add value to their lives often leading to dire consequences. This is true of characters in the play like Natella Abashwili, the governor and others as discussed below. The governor- Immensely rich yet has many beggars, petitioners etc at his door. -. Refuses to hear the message from the wounded rider before the mass and ever after leading to his tragic death. Page 16 -19Natella Abashwili- Concerned about the dresses to pack leading to her abandoning her baby. -. In the court she is interested in getting Michael back only because of the estates left by her husband. -. She ends up losing the baby to GrushaAniko and Lavrenti- Can t stand Grusha with her baby . Aniko is so religious to accept Grusha- Lavrenti forces Grusha to marry a dying man whom she does not love. |
- In the court she is interested in getting Michael back only because of the estates left by her husband. -. She ends up losing the baby to GrushaAniko and Lavrenti- Can t stand Grusha with her baby . Aniko is so religious to accept Grusha- Lavrenti forces Grusha to marry a dying man whom she does not love. He pays the mother of the man a huge sum and later the marriage is dissolved by Azdak. Jussup s mother- Interested in marrying her son before he dies and no attempts to treat him- She has to feed the guests at the wedding, hiring a monk and later her son is divorced. Black Mailer. -. Interested in knowing whether a certain land owner raped his niece or not and not the plight of the niece. -. Heavily fined. Invalid- Gets a stroke when he hears the doctor he paid fees to train is treating free- Heavily fined. Prince Kazbeki- One of the princes who ran down the war- Wants his unqualified nephew appointed the judge- Embarrassed by Azdak in the mock trial and later killed on the return of the dukeQuestion 5Bertolt Bretch; The Caucasian Chalk Circle What there is shall go to those who are good for it . With illustrations from the play the caucasian chalk circle, write an essay in support of this statement. |
In the Caucasian Chalk circle, such a person is Grusha. Grusha goes through many challenges in order to save and adopt Michael. Some of these challenges are discusses belowAccept any other relevant introductionCONTENT i She sacrifices the little she has in order to sustain Michael. She buys milk exorbitantly ii She is forced to come up with ingenuinenes way of eluding the red shirts who are after him. She knocks one of them down with a piece of wood, enduring her life in the process. Iii She crosses of dangerous bridge, endangering her life and Michael s iv She has to contend with a society that frowns upon single motherhood. She is forced to accept marriage to an invalid called Jussup in order to normalize her status vi Her relationship with her fianc e, Simon , is endangered. Vi She is force to go through a court processes in order to gain custody of MichaelQuestion 7 True mother hood is not necessarily biological Write an essay illustrating this statement using Bertolt Brecht s , The Caucasian chalk Circle . NatellaAbashiwili, the biological mother of Michael abandons the child as she feels the city .She is more interested in her fine linen and shoes as well as horse carriages- It takes the motherly instinct of the kitchen maid Grusha to retrieve the baby and fend for it offering protection and nourishment- Grusha adopts the body and risks being captured by the soldiers and crosses the dangerous and rotten bridge to save the life of Michael from the iron shirts- The mockery of Grusha s sister-in-law concerning the illegitimate child, Michael does not affect her affection for the young boy- Vashnadze endures an arranged and difficult marriage on paper to a dying man, Jussup: for the sake of the child- A mere kitchen help Grusha fights for the custody of Michael in court and does not pull him to her side in the test of the chalk circle so as not to tear him up. She fears to destroy the boy she has nurtured and brought up expensively as a real mother. |
This is seen as she was the best student in Thompson Falls High School; she then went to Alliance high school and later earned a degree in medicine from the University of Nairobi in 1984 and later a master s degree in pediatrics in the year 1990. In addition to her writing career she worked at the Kenyatta National Hospital until 19994 before she ventured into private sector. As a woman of high position she held various prestigious positions. This is seen as she was the medical director of Cottolengo Hospice for orphans with AIDS. She also held the position of the Executive director of the Family Life Counseling Association of Kenya. She was also the director of the institute of HEALTH Care Management at Strathmore Business School. Apart from The River and the Source she has authored; I swear by Apollo, A Place of Destiny, Mandate of the People, she also co-authored Educating in Human Love with her husband Dr. George OgollaOf her first novel Ogolla says The inspiration for this book came from my mother who handed down to me the wisdom and lives of her own mother and grandmother. This strength and support that is found in the African family is the most important part of our culture and should be preserved and nurtured at all costs. INTRODUCTIONThe River and the Source follows four generations of Kenyan women in a rapidly changing society. It belongs to a growing body of literary works that follows the feminist literary criticism of literature. They address themselves to issues pertaining to the welfare of women in African societies that are seemingly so patriarchal male dominated . It captures the Kenyan soul of the future and the need to bring freedom, equality and gender consciousness across ethnic, religious and racial lines. The River and the Source is a presentation of women seeking liberation from the oppressive male dominated society. Just like a river which originates from a spring; a source of an underground water, the birth of Akoko daughter to chief Gogni of Yimbo signifies thebeginning of the river. The river is threatened to drying up by hardships after hardship but the river flows on. The novel won the Kenyatta prize for fiction in 1995 and also the Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book in Africa in 1995. THE TITLET he title The River and the Source suggests the flow of a river from some point to the sea. |
The river is threatened to drying up by hardships after hardship but the river flows on. The novel won the Kenyatta prize for fiction in 1995 and also the Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book in Africa in 1995. THE TITLET he title The River and the Source suggests the flow of a river from some point to the sea. The novel traces the symbolic journey of women from patriarchal invisibility where women are ignored and in the background to autonomous existence where women chart their own destiny . The river starts as a spring which is Obanda Akoko-the girl child. Akoko is the source of this river. The river refers to the efforts that Akoko establishes of trying to liberate women from a patriarchal society that looks down upon them. Akoko faces challenges as a woman in a male dominated society. She overcomes them and the river continues to flow through Nyabera. Akoko is the source of the liberating force that flows from this oppressive and demeaning social system. In literature, the river symbolically refers to continuity hence life is a continuum and the struggle for liberation is therefore a continuous process. Therefore, from Akoko the river gains momentum at every stage through capable and competent women like Nyabera, Awiti, and finally Wandia. The river and the source therefore refers to the journey of women empowerment that was begun or whose source is Akoko and the continued efforts of other women like Nyabera, Awiti and Wandia in ensuring that women remain empowered hence the river s continued flow. The novel is thus a message of empowerment and hope for women who must rise up and take up their rightful equal position in society. This is summarized by Chief Odero Gogni s statement, A home without daughters is like a spring without a source. SETTINGSetting refers to the historical moment in time or the geographical location in which the story takes place i.e. the location and time in which a narrative takes place. The story begins 30 years before the Kenya-Uganda railway reached Kisumu. The story ends in the 1990s at the advent of multiparty politics in Kenya. The plot covers a number of generations that oscillates betweenYimbo and Sakwa Akoko s birthplace and marital home respectively in today s Nyanza Province in Kenya. It later spread to Gem, Kisumu,Nakuru and Nairobi in succeeding generations of Akoko s family tree. |
The story ends in the 1990s at the advent of multiparty politics in Kenya. The plot covers a number of generations that oscillates betweenYimbo and Sakwa Akoko s birthplace and marital home respectively in today s Nyanza Province in Kenya. It later spread to Gem, Kisumu,Nakuru and Nairobi in succeeding generations of Akoko s family tree. PLOT SUMMARYPART 1: THE GIRL CHILDThis part of the novel introduces us to a vibrant Akoko who is vibrant, beautiful and hardworking. This part focus on the Luo cultural practices. The naming traditions, the duties expected to be performed by the different genders, and the preference of the boy child to the girl child. Her father s expectation that a boy will be born and the view that girls ill be married to go and cook in another mans house are evidence of this. The writer uses this partto highlight the importance of the girl child as we not that Akoko manages to gain her father s love and attention, something that was not usual among the luo. Tradition is further highlighted in the Nak ceremony, that is performed before Akoko s suitor are welcomed to present their suits. Her father s love for her is shown when Akoko s father turns down 12 suitors. He purposely did so because, in the men who flocked his compound, none reached the standards he had set. He wants the best for his daughter thus wants her to get married to a chief as a mikai. It is for this reason he readily accept Owuor Kembo s proposal. The Girl Child surprises us with the immense strength of a woman. Akoko Obanda is an epitome of wealth. She works hard to set a pedestal that was previously unimagined. ,. Akoko provided for herself and built her own family wealth. She encouraged and trained her children to be hardworking and disciplined. She promoted self reliance and mutual relationships with her subjects. CHAPTER 1 AKOKO'S BIRTHThe chapter begins with the birth of Akoko Adoyo Akelo Obanda. Her father, Chief Odero Goggin expected a son because of the value placed by society in boys over girls. The naming of Akoko is done according to tradition and she ends up having four names. Adoyo born during the weeding season. Obanda- according to dreams by the father and grandmother. Akelo after a step grandmother who had died. |
Adoyo born during the weeding season. Obanda- according to dreams by the father and grandmother. Akelo after a step grandmother who had died. Akoko is given to her as she is noisy. The traditional values of the community like polygamy and preference for the male children are also brought out in the fathers desire to have a son. There is insight in to the naming rituals of the community as Akoko is given several names. The belief in superstition is also reflected on in the way Akoko's illness is dealt with and results in Akoko s final name, Akello. Akoko proves to be uniquely determined as she is able to compete with her numerous brothers. This earns her the admiration of both her father and elder brother, Oloo. By the end of the chapter Akoko is grown and of marriageable age and known for her diligence and hard work. CHAPTER 2: BETROTHAL OF AKOKOThis chapter focuses on the betrothal and marriage of Akoko. We are introduced to the young chief Owuor Kembo, a man of Nyadhi or style, who arrives at Yimbo with his delegation from Sakwa. They are warmly received and all the ways of chik are observed. Chief odero is quite pleased as the daughter is going to be the first wife to chief owuor. According to chik one cannot be chief unless he is married hence necessitating the arrival of the delegation from Sakwa to ask for Akoko's hand in marriage. Negotiations for the bride price are carried out through their spokes people. Chief odero asks for a high bride price out of jealousy for the number of daughter to sons his daughter's suitors had compared to him. Chief owuor Kembo described as a man of style agrees to pay the bride price without bargaining, much to the protest of his brother and delegation. The negotiations are concluded by the presentation of Akoko to her future husband. CHAPTER 3; AKOKO S MOVE TO SAKWAA group of young warriors drive the cattle that had being agreed on as the bride price during the negotiations. They are warmly welcome and well fed according to chik. On the morning of the next day the warriors take off with Akoko after having engaged in mock battles with her brothers before they ran off with Akoko. Akoko herself is also meant to resist so that it may not be said that she went willingly. |
They are warmly welcome and well fed according to chik. On the morning of the next day the warriors take off with Akoko after having engaged in mock battles with her brothers before they ran off with Akoko. Akoko herself is also meant to resist so that it may not be said that she went willingly. They rest for a short while before Akoko is delivered to Sakwa. The people of Sakwa admire her and agree that she was worth the thirty head of cattle. Akoko settles in to marriage life and is well accepted by the community. She soon becomes pregnant with her first child. The community is highly superstitious and do not say anything about it. Though the pregnancy is uneventful but the delivery is harrowing. The child is named Obura. However Akoko is under pressure to bear more children as the society expects her to bear as many children as her bride price. Her mother in law even urges Owuor to marry another wife. Later Akoko gets pregnant with Nyabera and then has difficulty during the birth. CHAPTER 4 AKOKO'S CONFLICT WITH NYAR ASEMBOAs a result of Owuor''s refusal to marry another with and Akoko s low birth rate, conflict arises between Akoko and her mother in law. Her mother in law is also offended by the monogamous state of her son and his refusal to take a second wife. They compare him to his younger brother who already had two wives and many more children. One day as she is in the fields, she hears that her mother in law Nyar Asembo accused her of bewitching owuor Kembo so that he would not marry another wife. Akoko who is deeply offended by the accusations stays the night and on the morning of the next day calls for the people s attention to state her case. She defends herself by emphasizing that she has always been hard -working and a good wife. After this she leaves for Yimbo. Owuor returns and is angered by the events that took place when he was away. He throttles his brother and almost hits his mother. He then starts a reconciliatory mission. CHAPTER 5 RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICTThe delegation from Sakwa arrives in Yimbo and is coolly received. Being accused of witchcraft was no light matter and the people of Yimbo were not pleased. The elders are gathered and Akoko is asked to give her version of events. |
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