Skip to main content

LIBERATION OF A SOCIETY DEPENDS ON THE COLLECTIVE MAJORITY

WHEN THE MADNESS OF AN ENTIRE NATION DISTURBS A SOLITARY MIND, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THAT THE MAN IS MAD. DISCUSS THIS IN LINE WITH IMBUGA’S BETRAYAL IN THE CITY
These words were said by JERE towards the end of Act Two in reference to incoherent jibber jabber of MOSESE in his sleep. JERE had watched the intellect MOSESE process his great expectations for Kafira only to see him, in utter amazement, utter words that did not make sense in his sleep.
MOSESE in his dream portends another character away from the real character when active. He espouses a fearful man who is ready to lick BOSS’ shoes to get a lucrative government job like his friend NICODEMO. He relishes the luxury of betrayal and instant fame.
We cannot refute the claim that, however, committed an individual is in fighting for the common good, there is always that small voice that tells him/her to relent and accept instant fame in the name of bootlicking. MOSESE’s other side, brought in the dream showcases this other side.
In his dream, he accepts honour and applause from the crowd. Of course, there will be people present to cheer one in the act of betrayal. Some will be genuine but the others will be interested in seeing your demeanour.
In many occasions, the oppressed take on spectator stage as the brave ones duel with those in authority. Where are the people of Kafira when MOSESE is jailed? Where are they when DOGA and NINA are beheaded? There take sideline stands while a few walks the talk and rebuke BOSS’ authoritarian leadership.
They bestow there need for liberty to the minority. They watch in fear, condemn in their houses while brutality is dispensed as an immunization drug. They watch heads bowed as people like JERE are jailed.
It is sad to observe that instead of the majority waking up against authority, few people do and they are tried with their conscience as they come to terms with the reality of the situation-that a mad society does not carry its madness, it leaves its madness strewn around only to be picked up by few.  

JERE’s words echo the tribulations civil rights groups face in trying to take on a responsibility that need to be shared by all and sundry. It proclaims the voice of those who fight in the face of an ignorant society. He cautions the society to take on its role in fighting inhumanity meted by those in authority and not to mire the few who end up locked in prison and their minds shattered into splinters of madness like MOSESE. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

HOW FEMINISM IS ADDRESSED IN THE RIVER AND THE SOURCE

The story revolves around Akoko. The buck stops with women in the fight against oppressive testosterone. It is upon women to tap into their innermost strength to transform the world it what they imagined. Akoko, being on the losing end in a male-dominated family fought her way to earn her father’s love. She had to put her feet on the ground to make the world recognize her. Aloo, the family spokesman said that Akoko’s hard work had been incorporated into a saying that women sending their children on errands would mention her. She did not show any female shyness when she was introduced to her husband to be. With her head held high, Akoko stirred into Owuor Kembo a feeling that had not earned vocabulary among the Luo - love. Akoko did not subject the chief to monogamy. She was okay with him marrying as many women as her wealth could manage. It was the chief’s decision, despite growing outcry, to remain faithful to his wife. We are not told of any arm-twisting but sure as the sun ris

THEME OF MARRIAGE IN A DOLL'S HOUSE

Henrik Ibsen explores marriage as a tool for women subjugation and at the same time as a weapon of financial emancipation. He also looks at marriage as a level-headed arrangement between two like-minded individuals. Marriage is one of the most celebrated unions in the world. Similarly, it enjoys such high moral ground in religious and many cultural circles. In A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen explores this vital part of the society in the life and times of Nora, her husband Torvald Helmer and other characters. From the onset, marriage seems a happy association since Nora is jubilant and bubbly as a wife. Although money could be one of the factors that threaten this marriage, Nora is capable of handling it. Torvald is very particular about the family’s expenditure and warns Nora to be careful. Being naïve and playing innocence helps Norah to get away with her husband’s restraint. In their association, Helmer holds the high moral ground, chief financier and key decision-maker. He

EXPLORING FEMINISM IN BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH AND A DOLL'S HOUSE

Feminism emerged as a movement to fight for the social, political and economic rights of the women. It is more of a political movement that recognises the individuality and sexuality of women and how historically and religion wise have been segregated. Before the advent of feminism, women lived under the tutelage of their male counterparts. For instance, a woman did not have any right to choose whom to marry, it was the prerogative of the male family member to choose. In the TV Serial, Rome, Julius 'Octavian' Caesar, who later became Augustus Caesar, makes a decision that affects both his mother and sister in a way unimaginable. The mother, Artia of the Julii is in love with Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) and she plans to marry him. However, Caesar decides it will be impossible for the two lovebirds to make it official. For political reasons, he settles for his sister Octavia as a suitable wife for Mark Anthony! There are many examples of male subjugation in numerous cultur