Julie Tagg| March 19, 2024

CONTRASTING CHARACTERS

Character stereotypes

Campbell creates some of his characters without names. But these characters have an identity. They include Boy, Girl, Woman, Her, King, Sailor, Tiger, and others. Arguably, this is the playwright’s attempt at developing different stereotypes on board the slave ship and in ‘The Forest of Stories’.

The Captain and the Boy

The Boy and the Captain share an estranged relationship and their views are different. The father is selfish and prejudiced, and this shows in the way that he sees the slaves as cargoes to be sold to the highest bidder. On the other hand, the Boy sees the slaves as human, and he is sympathetic towards their plight. The Boy is also inquisitive, independent and sensitive and these qualities lead to his father being upset with him. The Boy questions the fear he sees in the slaves. He also wants to know why a man was thrown overboard. These questions lead to anger and violence from his father. The father’s main purpose is to teach the Boy about the slave industry and to instill in him the stereotypical education that slave is to be sold without empathy. The Boy’s reaction is ironic because he is European and yet he sympathizes with the slaves on the ship.

Girl and Woman

The girl experiences fear upon boarding the ship. She compares the familiar African landscape of “great rivers and giant trees” with the “dark, filthy, and cramped” hold of the vessel. Her anxiety is alleviated by the presence of an older slave woman who assumes a maternal role for her. When the girl expresses despair, the woman responds with comforting words and empowering tales of Anansi. In return, the girl imagines inspiring stories of Anansi. This provides her with the strength and independence necessary for survival. Additionally, the woman imparts lessons of non-violence and compassion to the girl, which is ironic given the context of slaves being thrown overboard. Despite harboring resentment towards the sailors, the woman advises the girl to “have pity” on them.

Anansi and other animals

Anansi, portrayed as a playful trickster, entertains us with his cleverness and schemes to manipulate the animals of the forest to his advantage. Even the formidable creatures find themselves subject to his influence. When Tiger remarks, “I’m unsure of your methods, but I suspect they’re not entirely honest,” it underscores Anansi’s cunning. He embodies the imagination of black slaves, utilizing wit to endure the trials of slavery in the New World. It’s ironic how Anansi, a seemingly insignificant spider, reverses the roles of power, outsmarting the forest “masters” like Tiger and Snake.

Anansi and Soliday

Soliday is a brave individual. He shoulders the responsibility of vanquishing the detestable Mancrow, a figure that strikes fear into all creatures. Displaying remarkable courage, Soliday confronts Mancrow head-on and uses his own bow to bring him down. Empowered by Gran and a hidden strength within himself, he ultimately triumphs over Mancrow. Despite being outwitted by Anansi, he exemplifies his bravery and fortitude.

ACTIVITY

• Discuss the relationships and personalities of the characters at the beginning and then at the end of the play.

– Boy and Girl

– Woman and Girl

– Boy and the Captain

– Anansi and Soliday