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Questions and Answers
What is Ananse's primary motivation for presenting his daughter to the four chiefs?
Why is Ananse referred to as a 'poor but ambitious widower' in the text?
What is the role of Anansewa in the scheme involving the four chiefs?
Which chief is revealed to be the most preferred suitor out of the four involved?
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How does Ananse benefit financially from the scheme involving the four chiefs?
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What is the primary reason Ananse devises a plan to fake Anansewa's death?
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What role does Christie play in Ananse's plan?
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How does Chief-Who-Is-Chief demonstrate his devotion to Anansewa?
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What is the significance of Ananse calling Anansewa back to life after her 'funeral'?
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How does 'The Marriage of Anansewa' reflect Ghanaian storytelling traditions?
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Study Notes
The Marriage of Anansewa
- The play tells the story of Ananse, a poor but ambitious widower, and his daughter Anansewa.
- Ananse makes a round-the-country trip to present his daughter in photographs to four affluent chiefs, unknown to his daughter.
- The four chiefs are Chief of Sapaase, Chief of Akate (Togbe Klu IV), Chief of the Mines, and Chief-Who-ls-Chief.
- Ananse enters into a “photograph engagement” with each of the four chiefs, with each believing he is the only suitor for Anansewa.
Ananse's Plan
- Ananse's plan is to gain wealth from the chiefs' gifts while simultaneously finding the ideal husband for his daughter.
- He achieves this by receiving monetary gifts from each chief in anticipation of the actual marriage ceremony.
The Plan Unravels
- The plan starts to go awry when Ananse receives separate telegrams from each of the four chiefs announcing their plans to attend and conduct the head-drink ceremony.
- Ananse devises a plan to test which chief truly loves his daughter the most.
The Test
- Anansewa pretends to have passed away, and Ananse observes how each chief responds to the news.
- Christie, a stylish woman who is in love with Ananse, helps him with the plan.
- The Messengers of the suitors arrive with condolence messages and funeral gifts, with Chief-Who-Is-Chief demonstrating his devotion by taking full responsibility for Anansewa's funeral.
The Outcome
- Ananse succeeds in finding the ideal mate for his daughter and generating money from her marriage.
- The play portrays Ananse as a cunning and intelligent schemer.
Cultural Context
- The play is based on the Ghanaian folktale of Ananse, the spider, who is known for his wit and cunning.
- The play incorporates traditional Ghanaian storytelling and music, with elements of 'Anansesem' and 'Anansegoro'.
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Description
Explore the story of Ananse, a widower seeking suitors for his daughter Anansewa in 'The Marriage of Anansewa' by Efua T. Sutherland. Discover the themes of ambition, deception, and traditional values in this captivating tale.
