The Marriage of Anansewa Play

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