Wam Literature

Sometimes it is hard to explain abstract ideas without having a vessel to carry them. In literature and any other work of art, artists tend to use symbols. A symbol is an object. This object can be used to convey an abstract idea like love or create an emotion within the work of art. Therefore, symbolism is a literary device in which a writer uses objects or symbols in order to convey ideas and at the same time create the desired mood or evoke a desired emotion. In the play Inheritance, David Mulwa has used various symbols. These symbols are in the form of characters, objects, and animals. These symbols play an important role in helping us understand the meaning of the play and at the same time add aesthetics to the play. To begin with, the two foreign characters Robert Rollerstone and Daniel Goldstein represent neocolonialism. It is important to point out the age difference between Rollerstone and Goldstein. Goldstein is advanced in age, while Rollerstone is young. This signifies

The play Inheritance has involved various aspects of English literature styles in order to create a very compelling work of art. Normally, plays are divided into Acts; however, the playwright chose to use movement instead of acts. Movement shows motion, a change in position from one point to another, a transition. In this regard, David Mulwa tries to weave a transitional play; a play that doesn’t occur in acts but moves from one place to another or time to another. The play starts off (in the prologue) in colonial Kutula led by colonial Governor Thorne Macay with the advisory board made up of Bishop Menninger. During this period, there is a lot of opposition fronted by the people who are led by the wise and beloved King Kutula XV. King Kutula seems adamant to reach an understanding in which his people will continue being slaves to their colonial masters even though they are politically independent. He refuses any form of independence fronted by Thorne in which the colonial master s

Allegory is a style in which the writer or author mirrors what is happening in society with what happens in his work of art. Most often, allegory has been used to espouse the truth ignorant to the masses. In Inheritance, David Mulwa attempts to warn us about the dangers of voting in Uhuru Kenyatta. Nevertheless, a decade later, we voted in Uhuru Kenyatta and now we are reaping what we sowed.  The play Inheritance is the modern-day Allegory of the Cave. Written by Plato centuries ago, Allegory of the Cave explains why the opinion of the few with knowledge is unacknowledged especially at the time when there is a general consensus on what truth is. In this respect, the majority will acknowledge the general truth as opposed to the new truth espoused by the few. This is one of the reasons we make the wrong decisions.    The play Inheritance was first published in 2004- two years after Uhuru Kenyatta had lost two Mwai Kibaki in the 2002 elections. At the time, no one knew that Jomo Kenyatt

A PLAY BY DAVID MULWA Introduction Characters are the voice of the author in any works of art. In plays, they come alive and may take different forms depending on the director of the play. In the play Inheritance, David Mulwa creates vivid characters some of whom we may have encountered in real life. For instance, Lacuna Kasoo is a clear mirror of our current Kenyan politicians. He is as greedy as he is detached from the problems facing his people. As we explore characters we need to look at them as people who may have or do exist in real life. A character like Judah Zen Meloh represents a confusion of sorts. The Judah we know in the Bible betrayed Jesus while our Judah in the play does not want to betray his blood brother. Although, we need to tell the difference between Judah and Judas. Talking about Judah, he was the son of Jacob in the Old Testament of the Bible. He is the man who came up with the brilliant idea of selling Joseph Ishmaelites. Our Judah, on the other hand is neither

Inheritance is a play by Kenyan playwright David Mulwa. Set in the former kingdom of Kutula-now a republic, the play looks at post-independence trials wrought by greedy leaders and cunning foreign investors.  This play, derides countries like Kenya which are besieged by greedy leaders and unwitting citizens.   Since independence, Kenya and many African countries found themselves beleaguered by a lot of demands. As Kenyan first president said, Kenya was facing three major setbacks: ignorance, poverty and disease.  Being a pioneer leader in Kenya, Kenyatta was tasked to fight the three forces. In order to do this, he needed help. Help came easily in the form of foreign aid and expat community to train the young turks in the country on how to make the country socio-economically progressive.   Instead of the promised nirvana, African development turned into economic exploitation by the west and foreign aid was milked into foreign banks as corruption became the system of governance.   Even

Many times when we talk about religion, we look at Christianity and other major religion in the world. Although this religions play major roles in literature, there are still many other religions that writers and playwrights also discuss in their works. In this play, Christianity and Kutula traditional religion play a significant role. However, the role played by these two religions is negative. The play clearly brings out how religion can be applied subjectively to the people. During the colonial era, Bishop Menninger made sure to preach about obedience and humility in order to make the people of Kutula submissive. Besides, he used the sermons to get to know the people especially the young generation. It is within his teachings that he came to learn that Lacuna Kasoo would make a fine leader for Kutula(pg15). Menninger also observes that Princess Sangoi would be no bother since she was enamoured by the foreign religion. According to the Bishop, Sangoi would be lost in the corridors of

After independence, many countries that were granted independence found themselves drawn towards their former colonial masters. Such countries were drawn by incentives such as the Commonwealth, foreign aid and the promise of assistance in economic development. Those countries or leaders who refused such arrangements were either assassinated or removed from power. In this respect, the colonialists found themselves coming back as expatriates and financiers for development. In Kutula, the king who had vision for his people is assassinated. In his place, the colonial players put his greedy son as the new leader democratically elected. In this way, the former powers made leadership decisions for the people of Kutula even though the people's favourite was princess Sangoi. Although the power arrangement has changed from kingdom to a democracy. Lacuna Kasoo seem to retain the pre-colonial title of king. Lacuna Kasoo is controlled by two international financiers: Robert Rollerstone and Da

Inheritance refers to what is left by the deceased to the family in material wealth or sometimes power. However, the word could have diverse meanings when applied to works of literature. In this respect, David Mulwa looks at inheritance in various ways. The play revolves around a three decades old Kutula under its new leadership. Having achieved independence from colonial masters, Kutula is now governed by Lacuna Kasoo-the son of pre-independence King Kutula XV. Lacuna ascended to power after the death of his father. Although the King has adopted Princess Sangoi as his successor, he dies mysteriously thus handing the power to the greedy, self-centred Lacuna. As it were, Lacuna conspired with the colonial masters to assassinate his father King Kutula XV. Having assumed power with the help of colonial masters, Lacuna runs the government under the influence of Kutula's former imperialists. He receives hefty loans aimed at 'developing' the country. However, the loans are mean

Inheritance refers to what is left by the deceased to the family in material wealth or sometimes power. However, the word could have diverse meanings when applied to works of literature. In this respect, David Mulwa looks at inheritance in various ways. The play revolves around a three decades old Kutula under its new leadership. Having achieved independence from colonial masters, Kutula is now governed by Lacuna Kasoo-the son of pre-independence King Kutula XV. Lacuna ascended to power after the death of his father. Although the King has adopted Princess Sangoi as his successor, he dies mysteriously thus handing the power to the greedy, self-centred Lacuna. As it were, Lacuna conspired with the colonial masters to assassinate his father King Kutula XV. Having assumed power with the help of colonial masters, Lacuna runs the government under the influence of Kutula’s former imperialists. He receives hefty loans aimed at ‘developing’ the country. However, the loans are meant to make Kutu

Many strive to keep up with what is perceived to be outstanding image of the society. Most often, we are rewarded for this. However, sometimes we try to hard to the detriment of our family  and friends as can be seen in the play A Doll's House.  Helmer is one of the key characters in the play being the husband to our protagonist Norah. In order to keep up with society, Helmer steers clear from whatever can destroy his reputation.  Norah knows well Helmer's stand on how one is to conduct themselves in the society. However, she goes ahead and borrows a hefty sum of money from Krogstad. To add insult to injury, she forged her late father's signature to the bond she used to secure the loan.  Krogstad would never have revealed Norah's oversight but things within the play thickens when Helmer is promoted to a bank manager position. Having gained superior status, Helmer seeks to rid the bank of workers with bad reputation.  As it were, Krogstad is the most vile person in the s