The Marriage of Anansewa Play
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Questions and Answers

Who is the protagonist of the play 'The Marriage of Anansewa'?

  • Anansewa (correct)
  • The scholar suitor
  • The farmer suitor
  • Ananse

    • What is the main reason for Anansewa's suitors to fail to complete the tasks?

  • They are not from the same social class as Anansewa
  • They do not have the necessary skills
  • They highlight their flaws and weaknesses (correct)
  • They are not clever enough

    • What is one of the themes of 'The Marriage of Anansewa'?

  • Highlighting social inequality
  • Challenging traditional gender roles and expectations (correct)
  • Celebrating male empowerment
  • Promoting colonialism

    • What is Anansewa's decision at the end of the play?

    <p>She chooses to remain unmarried</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of 'The Marriage of Anansewa' in Ghanaian literature?

    <p>It is a landmark play exploring themes relevant to post-colonial Ghanaian society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote the play 'The Marriage of Anansewa'?

    <p>Efua Sutherland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is unique about the narrative structure of 'The Marriage of Anansewa'?

    <p>It is non-linear, using flashbacks to create a cohesive narrative.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of using a framing device in 'The Marriage of Anansewa'?

    <p>It allows for the insertion of commentary and asides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a result of the play's use of multiple narrative threads?

    <p>A complex narrative structure with multiple storylines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the play's blending of reality and fantasy achieve?

    <p>A dreamlike atmosphere and added cultural context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the use of mythological and folkloric elements add to the narrative?

    <p>Depth and richness to the narrative, as well as cultural context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the chorus in 'The Marriage of Anansewa'?

    <p>To provide additional context and insight into the characters' motivations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Anansewa's character depiction in the play?

    <p>A cunning and clever spider trickster</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Kofi Ato represent in the play?

    <p>The traditional African aristocracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of Ananse in the play?

    <p>To advise Anansewa on how to navigate marriage and relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a theme explored through the characters in the play?

    <p>The struggle for women's empowerment and independence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the five suitors in the play?

    <p>They represent different aspects of African culture and society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Anansewa a symbol of in the play?

    <p>Female empowerment and independence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Overview

    "The Marriage of Anansewa" is a play written by Ghanaian playwright Efua Sutherland in 1972.

    Plot

    The play is a reinterpretation of the traditional Ghanaian Ananse stories, which feature the spider trickster Ananse.

    • The story revolves around Ananse's daughter, Anansewa, who is of marriageable age.
    • Anansewa's suitors are invited to compete for her hand in marriage, but they must first complete a series of tasks set by Ananse.
    • The suitors, representing different social classes and professions, fail to complete the tasks, highlighting their flaws and weaknesses.
    • Ultimately, Anansewa chooses to remain unmarried, rejecting the societal pressure to conform to traditional roles.

    Themes

    • Challenging traditional gender roles and expectations
    • Critiquing societal class and status systems
    • Exploring the tension between tradition and modernity
    • Celebrating female empowerment and independence

    Characters

    • Anansewa: Ananse's daughter, the protagonist of the play
    • Ananse: The spider trickster, Anansewa's father
    • Suitors: Representing different social classes and professions, including a farmer, a hunter, a chief, and a scholar

    Significance

    • "The Marriage of Anansewa" is considered a landmark play in Ghanaian literature, exploring themes relevant to post-colonial Ghanaian society.
    • The play has been widely performed and studied, contributing to the development of Ghanaian theatre and literature.

    Overview

    • "The Marriage of Anansewa" is a play written by Ghanaian playwright Efua Sutherland in 1972.

    Plot

    • The play reinterprets traditional Ghanaian Ananse stories, featuring the spider trickster Ananse.
    • Anansewa, Ananse's daughter, is of marriageable age and her suitors must complete tasks set by Ananse to win her hand.
    • Suitors, representing different social classes and professions, fail to complete tasks, highlighting their flaws and weaknesses.
    • Anansewa chooses to remain unmarried, rejecting societal pressure to conform to traditional roles.

    Themes

    • The play challenges traditional gender roles and expectations.
    • It critiques societal class and status systems.
    • The play explores the tension between tradition and modernity.
    • It celebrates female empowerment and independence.

    Characters

    • Anansewa is the protagonist, Ananse's daughter.
    • Ananse is the spider trickster and Anansewa's father.
    • Suitors include a farmer, a hunter, a chief, and a scholar, representing different social classes and professions.

    Significance

    • "The Marriage of Anansewa" is a landmark play in Ghanaian literature, exploring themes relevant to post-colonial Ghanaian society.
    • The play has been widely performed and studied, contributing to the development of Ghanaian theatre and literature.

    Narrative Structure in "The Marriage of Anansewa"

    • The play's narrative structure is non-linear, meaning the events are not presented in chronological order.

    Non-Linear Storytelling

    • The story is presented through a series of flashbacks, which are woven together to create a cohesive narrative.

    Framing Devices

    • The play employs a framing device, where the story is told by the trickster spider, Ananse.
    • This framing device allows for the insertion of commentary and asides, providing additional context and insight into the characters' motivations.

    Multiple Narrative Threads

    • The play contains multiple narrative threads, including the story of Anansewa's marriage, the backstory of Ananse, and the commentary of the chorus.
    • These threads are intertwined to create a complex narrative structure.

    Mythological and Folkloric Elements

    • The play draws heavily from Ghanaian mythology and folklore, incorporating elements such as Ananse's trickster nature and the use of proverbs.
    • These elements add depth and richness to the narrative, providing cultural context.

    Blurring of Reality and Fantasy

    • The play blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
    • This is achieved through the use of mythological creatures, magical events, and the fantastical nature of Ananse's storytelling.

    Character Analysis in "The Marriage of Anansewa"

    Anansewa:

    • Protagonist of the play, a cunning and clever spider trickster from Ghanaian folklore
    • Depicted as a shrewd businesswoman who uses her wit and charm to outsmart her suitors
    • Symbol of female empowerment and independence, challenging traditional gender roles in African society

    The Suitors:

    • Five suitors in the play, each representing a different aspect of African culture and society
    • Kofi Ato: represents traditional African aristocracy and the old social order
    • Kweku Banya: embodies the emerging African bourgeoisie and the influence of Western culture
    • Pofi: symbolizes the African diaspora and the struggle for identity
    • Teacher: represents the educated elite and the spread of Western education
    • Cousin: embodies the traditional African family structure and the role of family ties

    Ananse:

    • Anansewa's father and a trickster figure in Ghanaian folklore
    • Depicted as a wise and experienced guide who advises Anansewa on how to navigate the complexities of marriage and relationships
    • Represents the connection between traditional African culture and the modern world

    Themes and Messages:

    • Explores themes of identity, culture, and the role of women in African society
    • Tension between tradition and modernity, as well as the struggle for women's empowerment and independence

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    Description

    A play by Efua Sutherland, reinterpreting traditional Ghanaian Ananse stories. Suitors compete for Anansewa's hand in marriage, completing tasks set by Ananse.

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