Dramatic Analysis Flashcards
Context of the play
Themes cannot be separated from context
Backdrop of post apartheid society
Small unidentified town representing other small towns that have suffered the same plight
Circumstances largely driven by apartheid
No economic structure
Poverty and reliance on alcohol to dull pain of despair
Conditions never addressed by government
Background to world depicted in play
Town where “nothing happens”
Unrelenting heat - “Maluku Baas” keeping them from sleep
External heat ravaged town represents the internal hell of inhabitants
Minds numbed by personal tragedy, alcohol
Oblivion through drink, sleep, sex or suicide
High unemployment and lots of boredom
Woman are houvroue- dyton patriarchal society
Hope found in Ruth and Simons relationship
Title of the play
Religious references
Third testament
Promise that messiah will bring salvation
Hope that Tshepang is the new salvation
She has been sacrificed so all the children would saved
Materialistic religion
Testament - bear witness, provide evidence
Hope is found in a mans undeniable ability to provide comfort
Influences on the intentions of the playwright
Fugard
South African landscape
Universal and timeless themes
Child abuse
Real, harrowing social issues
Explores issues that people tend to ignore
Silence about social ills must be broken so that solutions can be found
Responsibility of the audience to find solutions
African storytelling
Interactive oral performance
One long monologue recreating characters to make story come alive
