Sunday, March 27, 2011

Run and tell that... Amusa

AMUSA: [shouting above the laughter] For the last time I warn you women to clear the road. WOMAN: To where? AMUSA: To that hut. I know he dey dere. WOMAN: Who? AMUSA: The chief who call himself Elesin Oba. WOMAN: You ignorant man. It is not he who calls himself Elesin Oba, it is his blood that says it. As it called out to his father before him and will to his son after him. And that is in spite of everything your white man can do. WOMAN: Is it not the same ocean that washes this land and the white man’s land? Tell your white man he can hide our son away as long as he likes. When the time comes for him, the same ocean will bring him back. AMUSA: The government say dat kin’ ting must stop. WOMAN: Who will stop it? You? Tonight our husband and father will prove himself greater than laws of strangers. AMUSA: I tell you nobody go prove anything tonight or anytime. Is ignorant and criminal to prove dat kni’ prove. IYALOJA: [entering from the hut. She is accompanied by a group of Young Girls who have been attending the Bride] What is it Amusa? Why do you come here to disturb the happiness of others. From a post-colonial perspective, I thought that this short section of the play was imperative to post-colonial analysis. Post-colonialism refers to people responding and reacting to colonialism. In this passage, we are a given some evidence of anger and disagreement. Amusa is an important figure because he is an African American working for white British colonists. He is not trusted by the villagers because of his colonial perspectives and actions. The post-colonial reaction comes into play through the women. In the first line, it is evident that Amusa tries to assume control over the villagers (particularly the women) and believes he has this British colonial authority. However, the woman begins arguing with Amusa about Elesin. Amusa is order edby the government to stop Elesin and the women seem to argue against that. Iyaloja then questions Amusa about his presence. This passage exemplifies the clash between the colonizers and the colonized and the reaction is quite negative. This represents post-colonial theory because the women do not let Amusa do as he wishes. I also thought it was interesting how all of the women were grouped together to make it appear more intimidating so that they could get their point across. The language that was used such as “blood” and “white man” was quite strong because it showed that the women were serious about their argument. I thought that their stance against colonial authority was quite courageous and it definitely caught my attention when I was reading through this passage.

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