AFRICAN DRAMA; Joe De Graft Sons and Daughters
Discuss the character and role of Hannah in the play.
Explanation
The character and role of Hannah in the play Hannah Ofosu is the wife of James and the mother of George, Aaron and Maanan. Hannah typifies the traditional African woman, homely, courteous and concerned about her children’s welfare. Unlike her husband James, Hannah readily copes with the generation gap between parents and their children in the light of social change.
Hannah is loving and shows understanding towards the children and their personal problems especially with regards to their choice of career. She accommodates their friend, Awere, whom James does not want to see around the house, harbouring the belief that Awere is a bad influence on Aaron. Hannah is very observant. It takes her ‘eagle eyes’ to detect that Maanan is not happy working in Lawyer Bonu’s office and this presents her as a caring mother. Maanan confildes in her by pouring out her heart about Bonu’s harassment.
As a caring and loving wife, she welcomes her husband home warmly, taking his briefcase, offering him a glass of water and asking after his business. All this affirm her role as a caring respectful wife. For example, she makes sure the family’s meals are ready on time and she is tolerant enough to put up with her husband’s domineering elder sister, Fosuwa, but not to the detriment of her family’s interest. Her assertiveness is highlighted in the way she defends the innocent relationship between Maanan and Awere against aunt Fosuwa’s insinuations that they are lovers.
She is independent-minded and therefore complains about living in the same family house with the extended gift relations, especially the nosy aunt Fosuwa. She wants a cordial relationship between the children and their father and so it takes time to make James understand the youth and their problems. Her roles in the play.
Through Hannah, the, conflict in the play is resolved as she discovers the true identity of Lawyer Bonu. She provides a conducive home atmosphere for both her husband and the children to argue out their points to a meaningful conclusion. Indeed, she is the ‘shoulder’ on which all lean to air and resolve their divergent views.
She is used by the playwright to actualize the theme of the play, that is, that a balance can be struck between Bol two different generations in the light of rapid social change. `.ha Having played the role of a trouble shooter, she is an example of the ideal traditional mother and wife.