Irony

Irony is used to reinforce meanings. In the play, Campbell uses irony and this has a direct impact on the lessons of morality that arise out of its contents. He also uses irony to demonstrate the transfer of power among characters for greater audience appeal.

The play explores the conflicting views on the treatment of slaves held by the Boy and the Captain, who despite having similar backgrounds, hold opposing views on the issue. The Boy’s diary entries reveal his betrayal of his father and the Captain, as he writes about the harsh conditions and ill-treatment that the slaves are subjected to on board. In contrast, the Sailor sees potential in the Boy to take over his father’s role after he is gone. However, the playwright hints that this may not happen, given the empathy that the Boy shows towards the Girl and other slaves, which challenges the status quo.

In the story of Anansi, the Girl initially refers to the character as “little and weak,” indicating her own feelings of vulnerability and powerlessness due to her situation as a slave. However, the Woman who educates the Girl, explains that despite his small size, Anansi was once a king, which gives the Girl hope that she too can find power in her circumstances. The Woman’s teachings are also notable for their non-discriminating nature, as she tells the Girl that “people are as good as animals and the animals are just as they always were.” This serves to highlight the injustice of slavery, where humans are treated as mere beasts, but also offers a message of hope and empowerment to those who are oppressed.

Dramatic irony and twists in the plot

Within the play, there are several instances of dramatic irony that the playwright uses to reinforce the theme of ‘reversal of roles’ among the characters, particularly Anansi and Girl. Initially, both Girl and Anansi are introduced as helpless and weak characters. However, as the story progresses, we witness a transformation in the characters, with Girl demonstrating resilience and Anansi becoming a legend of hope and free-spiritedness.

Throughout the play, the characters of the Captain, Boy, and Sailor remain unaware of the growing strength of Girl. They continue to see her as vulnerable and powerless, when in fact, she is evolving into a powerful force. Meanwhile, the forest characters take Anansi for granted, assuming that they have the upper hand over him. However, Tiger, Snake, Mancrow, Crab, and Her all fall victim to Anansi’s cunning ways as he attempts to confront the powerful.

The use of dramatic irony serves to emphasize the reversal of roles among the characters, highlighting the theme of change and transformation. It shows how characters can evolve and grow, challenging the assumptions that others have about them. By the end of the play, we see a Girl who has undergone a significant transformation, becoming a powerful and resilient force to be reckoned with, and a spider who has become a legend of hope and free-spiritedness.

ACTIVITY

• Examine each word in the name of the slave ship.

• Discuss the irony of the ship’s name given its cargo.

• Identify and discuss two situations of dramatic irony from the two settings in the play.