AFRICAN DRAMA
JOE DE GRAFT: Sons and Daughters
Discuss the use of irony in the play
Explanation
Irony abounds in the play. In the first place, James, who regards non professional jobs as being not lucrative, ends up taking a liberal approach to duties and services. He is shocked to hear that Awere, a mere painter, wins a huge sum of money and international recognition. It is ironical that Bonu, a lawyer who is supposed to uphold the moral standard of the society is himself caught breaching the moral law. For example, when he is entrusted with the career upbringing of a close friend’s daughter, he ends up attempting to seduce her while still maintaining a cordial relationship with her father and the entire family.
Also, it is ironical that lawyer Bonu, who goes to the house of his friend, James to seduce Maanan thinking that her father is away, ends up being found out by James who is actually in the house and listening to all that is happening between him and Maanan. Dancing as a profession which has been looked down upon by James now becomes a noble profession while the so-called noble profession becomes dishonourable because of Lawyer Bonu.
It is also ironical that Aunt Fosuwa is pushing Maanan into the hands of Lawyer Bonu thinking that James will approve the relationship between the two whereas, it is not in the mind of James Ofosu at all. Aunt Fosuwa thinks Awere is a bad influence on Aaron whereas, Awere is Aaron’s source of inspiration with regards to painting. Meanwhile, Awere advises Aaron to listen to his father concerning the choice of a career. Lastly, it is ironical that Aunty Fosuwa discourages Awere who is young and single, from having social contact with Maanan while at the same time encourages and supports the relationship between her and Lawyer Bonu who is old and married.