AFRICAN DRAMA
JOE DE GRAFT: Sons and Daughters
Examine the major conflicts in the play.
Explanation
The conflicts in the play can be seen from different perspectives, ranging from the generational gap involving choice of profession to betrayal of trust and domestic misunderstanding.
One of the major conflicts in the play is the generational gap involving choice of profession. James Ofosu believes it is his parental responsibility to choose a career for his children and having chosen for the first two sons, he considers Aaron and Maanan’s refusal to accept his choice as an act of disobedience. This conflict results in the strainec relationship between him and the two children. It takes Awere’s success in painting and Lawyer Bonu’s betrayal of trus:. for James to accept the children’s choices. .
There is also domestic conflict which is more pronounced between Mrs. Hannah Ofosu and Aunt Fosuwa tha between James and his wife. On the one hand, while aunt Fosuwa disputes over who has responsibility over the family_ Hannah and James are at logger-heads over his friendship with Lawyer Bonu. Again, it takes Lawyer Bonu’s betrayal or trust to resolve this conflict.
Of the three major conflicts, that between Lawyer Bonu and James, though much delayed, is never resolved. as Lawyer Bonu’s betrayal of trust to establish this conflict.