Julie Tagg: April 03, 2027

The play explores the theme of disguise, which is portrayed by blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The protagonist, Girl, is forced to endure the cruelty of her slave owners and uses her imagination as a coping mechanism to keep her spirit alive. In one scene, she is confined to a ship, and the setting is described as “through the trees we can dimly make out beams and ropes… or are they branches and creepers.” This creates a distorted perception of her surroundings, which serves as a way for Girl to escape mentally and find solace in her imagination.

Furthermore, the symbolism of the “web” is used as a tool of power, much like how Anansi uses it to catch his prey. Woman advises Girl to “weave her little web like a dream in the dark and wait…”. This not only highlights the power of storytelling but also symbolizes a reversal of power dynamics between the slaves and their European masters. The slaves are empowered through their imaginative freedom, which is fueled by the captivating stories of Anansi.

Overall, the use of disguise in the play is a powerful tool that sheds light on the psychological impact of slavery. Through the characters’ imaginative journeys, we see the power of the human spirit to overcome even the harshest of circumstances.