AFRICAN DRAMA
JOE DE GRAFT: Sons and Daughters
Compare and contrast the roles of Hannah and Fosuwa in the play.
Explanation
In attitude, roles and disposition, Hannah and Aunt Fosuwa are poles apart. Hannah is James’ wife while Aunt is his sister. Hannah is portrayed as a dutiful and loving wife and mother. She sees to it that her husband’s and dren’s needs are met. She is capable of discernment. Thus she recognizes that Awere is a good influence on her son and consequently approves Awere’s friendship with her children.
On the other hand, Aunt Fosuwa is depicted as a jealous and envious woman in her relationship with Hannah and her children. While she will not let Hannah enjoy her marriage, her plans regarding Hannah’s children and their friends also ill-motivated. For example, she hates Awere because she feels there is a relationship between Awere and aanan which will overturn her plans to make Maanan Lawyer Bonu’s second wife.
Hannah, unlike Aunt Fosuwa, believes in the sanctity of marriage and stays with her husband against all odds, While Aunt Fosuwa believes in polygamy, having unsuccessfully married three times. She not only actively encourages Maanan to be Lawyer Bonu’s second wife, but also urges Hannah to break her own marriage.
A perfect role Hannah plays in the play is to show tolerance and understanding in all situations. In spite of James’ intemperance and set ways, she is able to accommodate him as she does Aunt Fosuwa. Aunt Fosuwa, on the other and, has no self-discipline in her attitude to marriage and children. She is rather permissive. Her encouragement of Lawyer Bonu’s overtures to Maanan emboldens him and leads to the betrayal of James’ trust and friendship.