Character Analysis

Tshembe Matoseh

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Return to Africa: Tshembe's arrival back in Africa marks the beginning of his internal and external conflicts. He is immediately struck by the changes and the escalating violence in his homeland.

"I am a man of two worlds, and I have responsibilities in both." - This quote encapsulates Tshembe's struggle between his duty to his family in England and his heritage in Africa.

• Confrontation with Abioseh: Tshembe's ideological clash with his brother Abioseh, who has become a Catholic priest, highlights the tensions between different responses to colonial oppression.

"You have chosen your God, Abioseh. I have chosen mine." - Tshembe asserts his commitment to his people's struggle for freedom against his brother's call for peaceful assimilation.

• Decision to Fight: Tshembe ultimately decides to take up arms against the colonial oppressors, marking a significant shift in his character from a man seeking peace to one embracing revolutionary action.

"The time for talking is over. Now is the time for action." - This quote signifies Tshembe's transformation and commitment to the fight for liberation.

Key Themes

• Identity and Belonging: Tshembe's journey reflects the complex interplay between personal identity and cultural belonging, as he navigates the challenges of being part of two disparate worlds.
• Conflict and Resolution: His internal struggle and eventual decision to join the revolution highlight the broader themes of conflict and the search for resolution in a colonized society.

Key Quotes

"I am a man of two worlds, and I have responsibilities in both."

• This quote reflects Tshembe's divided loyalties and the pressures he faces from both his familial obligations and his cultural heritage.

"You have chosen your God, Abioseh. I have chosen mine."

• This illustrates Tshembe's determination to follow a path aligned with his beliefs and the revolutionary cause, in contrast to his brother's path of religious assimilation.

"The time for talking is over. Now is the time for action."

• This marks Tshembe's resolve to engage in active resistance against colonial rule, a turning point in his character development.

Charlie Morris

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Interactions with Tshembe: Charlie's conversations with Tshembe reveal his genuine desire to help but also his ignorance of the deep-seated issues facing the African people.

"I came here to understand, to help if I can." - This quote shows Charlie's intention but also his limited understanding of the situation.

• Realization of His Own Prejudices: Throughout the play, Charlie becomes increasingly aware of his own prejudices and the limitations of his perspective.

"I thought I understood, but I see now that I barely scratched the surface." - This quote signifies Charlie's growing awareness and the complexity of the issues at hand.

Key Themes

• Naivety and Awareness: Charlie's journey from a naive outsider to a more aware, if still limited, participant in the African struggle highlights the theme of Western naivety and the challenges of true understanding.
• Racism and Colonialism: His interactions underscore the pervasive impact of racism and colonialism and the difficulty of achieving genuine solidarity across cultural divides.

Key Quotes

"I came here to understand, to help if I can."

• This illustrates Charlie's initial good intentions but also his superficial grasp of the situation.

"I thought I understood, but I see now that I barely scratched the surface."

• This reflects his evolving understanding and the realization of the complexities beyond his initial perceptions.

Madame Neilsen

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Interaction with Tshembe: Her interactions with Tshembe show her genuine affection for the African people but also her lack of understanding of the political realities.

"We are all God's children, Tshembe." - This quote reflects her compassionate but somewhat naive worldview.

• Recognition of Change: As the play progresses, Madame Neilsen begins to understand the inevitability of change and the need for the colonizers to leave.

"Perhaps it is time for us to go, for the land to be free." - This signifies her growing awareness of the broader historical forces at play.

Key Themes

• Compassion and Blindness: Madame Neilsen's character highlights the tension between genuine compassion and the blindness to systemic injustices that often accompany colonial attitudes.
• Change and Adaptation: Her eventual recognition of the need for change underscores the theme of adaptation in the face of historical inevitability.

Key Quotes

"We are all God's children, Tshembe."

• This illustrates her compassionate but ultimately limited perspective on the racial and political conflicts.

"Perhaps it is time for us to go, for the land to be free."

• This marks her recognition of the need for change and the end of colonial rule.

Major George Rice

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Confrontations with Tshembe: Major Rice's confrontations with Tshembe reveal his deep-seated racism and his belief in the inherent superiority of the colonizers.

"This land belongs to us, not to you savages." - This quote encapsulates Major Rice's racist and colonialist mindset.

• Use of Violence: His readiness to use violence to maintain control is evident throughout the play, reinforcing his role as the oppressive force.

"Order must be maintained, no matter the cost." - This reflects his justification for violence and oppression.

Key Themes

• Oppression and Violence: Major Rice represents the themes of oppression and the use of violence to maintain colonial power.
• Racism and Arrogance: His character embodies the arrogance and racism that underpin colonial rule.

Key Quotes

"This land belongs to us, not to you savages."

• This quote highlights his racist and colonialist attitudes.

"Order must be maintained, no matter the cost."

• This reflects his ruthless approach to maintaining control through violence.

Abioseh Matoseh

Overview

Key Moments in the Play

• Conflict with Tshembe: Abioseh's ideological conflict with Tshembe reveals the deep divisions between those advocating for peaceful assimilation and those calling for revolutionary change.

"Peace is the only way, brother. Violence will only bring more suffering." - This quote encapsulates Abioseh's belief in peaceful resolution.

• Betrayal: His ultimate betrayal of his brother by revealing Peter's identity to Major Rice marks a significant turning point in the play.

"I had to do what was right, even if you can't see it." - This reflects Abioseh's justification for his actions, despite the familial betrayal.

Key Themes

• Assimilation vs. Revolution: Abioseh's character embodies the conflict between assimilation into colonial structures and the call for revolutionary change.
• Betrayal and Loyalty: His actions highlight the themes of betrayal and loyalty, particularly within the context of family and cultural identity.

Key Quotes

"Peace is the only way, brother. Violence will only bring more suffering."

• This quote reflects Abioseh's belief in peaceful assimilation and his conflict with Tshembe's revolutionary stance.

"I had to do what was right, even if you can't see it."

• This illustrates his internal justification for betraying his brother, highlighting the complex nature of his character and beliefs.