THEMES IN THE PLAY
Social discrimination and destruction
One of the major themes in the play is Social discrimination and destruction. This explores the idea that your ability to socialize is determined by your level of English schooling. Even within the black community, there is discrimination by certain persons who adhere to Eurocentric ideals against those who embrace Afrocentric traditions and customs by proudly wearing homemade traditional clothing and following cultural standards for each occasion. These folks who cruelly separate and belittle their fellow blacks based on their connection to England are commonly depicted by Mrs. Borofo and her supporters. Mrs. Borofo’s overt expression of repulsion anytime someone speaks Fanti or wears traditional clothing reinforces this particular motif. This is evident in her visit to Mr. Onyimdze and the way she corrects her husband. Additionally, Mr. Tsiba consciously makes an effort to replace his traditional clothing with pyjamas when Mrs. Borofo arrives at his residence. This is done to avoid causing any offense or disgust to Mrs. Borofo. Furthermore, Mr. Tsiba’s conviction that his status as a wealthy businessman was insufficient without an English education is a strong indication that discrimination and marginalization based on this factor were widespread. Mr. Ok’s relentless pursuit of Miss. Tsiba, regardless of the consequences, exemplifies the prevailing social segregation and degradation in our society.
The Originality of the African Customs and Traditions
The dramatist, recognizing the importance of African traditions and customs, deliberately incorporated philosophical ideas on the essential role of culture and tradition in one’s existence into his work. This point is demonstrated by Mr. Onyimdze’s triumph in court over Miss. Tsiba’s case is against the standard of Western marriage practices (Christian way of marriage). This victory surprised the Eurocentric, who underestimated the importance and significance of culture and tradition in modern society.
Blind Assimilation of the European Culture
The play satirizes the uncritical adoption of European customs and values by the Ghanaian elite during the colonial era. Characters like Mrs. Borofosem and Miss Tsiba exemplify this blind assimilation, which is portrayed as detrimental to African identity and culture
Other minor themes include
Shortcomings of the ‘copy-cat’ phenomenon.
The negative aspects of imperialism.
The necessity for complete autonomy as a country.
CHARACTERS
MRS. BOROFOSEM
She is the spouse of Mr. Borofosem, who has traveled to England and embraced the way of life there. She exhibits a strong Eurocentric bias in all her actions. She exhibits commanding and excessively preoccupied behavior, especially towards her spouse and their household at large. She completely ignores everything related to Africa, particularly if alternate methods are being used in England. She is a prominent character who opposes Nyamekye, Mr. Onyimdze, and others who do not agree with her belief that Western mannerisms are the best.
Mrs. Borofosem represents imperialism and neo-colonialism in the book with her ostentatious and overbearing behavior, which led Mr. Tsiba to bring his daughter, Miss. Tsiba, to Mrs. Borofo. This ultimately resulted in the death of Na Sompa, Miss. Tsiba’s mother. She is perceived as proud as she derives enjoyment from documenting her experiences in England to the Ladies at the party, regardless of how many times she has expressed so. She is an imitator who attempts to mimic everything English, but in a false manner. She is considered a dynamic character when she shifts her perspective from a Eurocentric viewpoint to an Afrocentric viewpoint.
MR. ONYIMDZE (A LAWYER)
He is a youthful Barrister who pursued his studies in England but has managed to resist being overwhelmed by Western culture. He comprehends the significance of his customs and traditions in his life, and he is capable of recognizing the contrast between his identity as an educated individual and as an African. He perceives it as extremely negative: the influence Mrs. Borofosem has had on his people, causing them to prioritize Western sensibility over their own Fanti cosmic and ancient beliefs. The way he dresses reflects his stance on the impact of Western customs on his personal style. His dissatisfaction with the erosion of his norms and traditions by certain Western puppets or loyalists compelled him to advocate for Miss. Tsiba in court against Mr. Okadu and his supporters.
Their triumph in court serves as a revelation to both Mr. and Mrs. Borofosem that not all European or English customs should be regarded as universally correct. He assumes the role of the hero and main character in the play. He is perceived as a static character due to his unwavering determination displayed throughout the entirety of the play.
MR. TSIBA
He is married to Na Sompa and is the father of Miss. Tsiba. He is a prosperous individual who trades cocoa but lacks formal education in Western academic subjects. He has a lack of self-assurance in his abilities to make decisions and feels inferior due to his inability to behave in an English manner. Therefore, he entrusts his daughter to Mrs. Borofosem for her to undergo pruning in the English manner. Mr. Tsiba’s action had a disastrous impact on his household.
His wife passed away and his daughter became pregnant before entering into an unlawful and unauthorized union, which was saved by his mother-in-law and ultimately defended in court by Onyimdze.
He is inconsistent as he hastily changes his traditional attire to Western clothing to avoid displeasing Mrs. Borofosem, who has recently arrived. Furthermore, he lacks principles and discipline. This is apparent in the drama when Mr. Tsiba attempts to persuade Dr. Onwieyie in his consulting room by offering a significant sum of money to perform an abortion on his daughter, who is three months pregnant. He lacks the qualities typically associated with being a mature and capable individual, as seen by his inability to effectively manage events that ultimately resulted in the death of his wife.
MR. OKADU
He is a youthful individual who was employed at Chutney’s establishment, which is owned by a white individual. Subsequently, he approached Mr. Onyimdze to secure a position as a clerk, even though it was unpaid since he was eager to acquire knowledge and comprehension of the English language. He admitted to Mr. Onyimdze that his motive for learning English is to successfully court Miss. Tsiba and make her his wife. Additionally, he stated that Mr. Tsiba will only heed his words if he becomes aware that he (Mr. Okadu) has received formal instruction in the English language. He is someone who seizes opportunities and aims to use Mr. Tsiba’s lack of intelligence to acquire his daughter at a low cost. Regrettably, he falls prey to the widespread ‘copy-cat’ phenomenon in their society.
The death of Na Sompa and the disastrous dishonor that befell Miss. Tsiba was caused by his action or decision to engage Miss. Tsiba without following traditions diligently.
DR. ONWIEYIE
Dr. Onwieyie is an African American medical professional who is the proprietor of a medical facility. He is initially presented in the drama when Na Sompa, who is the wife of Mr. Tsiba and the mother of Miss. Tsiba collapses and dies in Mr. Onyimdze’s house before he arrives. He is a conscientious medical doctor who firmly adheres to professional ethics. Therefore, he declines Mr. Tsiba’s proposal to perform an abortion on his daughter, despite the tempting offer of money. He is being accused by Mr. Wompem of engaging in an extramarital relationship with his wife. Later, he is confronted by a young woman sent by Mr. Seehon to tempt him. He is a doctor who is confident in his abilities and refuses to be undermined in a society that unfairly devalues anything or anybody associated with the color black. He possesses a strong sense of principles and exhibits a high level of discipline.
MISS. TSIBA
She is the offspring of Mr. Tsiba and Na Sompa. She has traditional Fanti characteristics, therefore her father sends her to Mrs. Borofosem, who is seen as an example of a civilized person, to refine her outdated features and cultivate her into a refined Fanti individual with an English education. She is a naive young woman who is easily manipulated by Mr. Okadu and becomes engaged without following the appropriate customary protocol of informing her father beforehand. She has experienced the ‘copy-cat’ syndrome, since she lost her mother, became pregnant before getting married, had her marriage affected by her grandmother, and eventually remarried another man. She lacks independent thinking as she unquestioningly adheres to the conventions of the English fiction she reads and immediately accepts Mr. Okadu without hesitation.
NA SOMPA
She is the mother of Miss. Tsiba and the spouse of Mr. Tsiba. She is a minor character but her appearance in the drama is momentary. She is perceived as being excluded by her husband, who makes decisions without consulting her, leading to her death in Mr. Onyimdze’s residence, while Mr. Okadu, who included her daughter in the British manner, was present. Her impulsive nature and hasty decision-making ultimately resulted in her untimely demise. She staunchly adheres to conventional ideals, which ultimately leads to her demise. She alleges that Mr. Onyimdze was complicit in Mr. Okadu’s actions against her family before her murder.
NANA KATAWERWA
She is Na Sompa’s mother, Miss. Tsiba’s grandmother, and Mr. Tsiba’s mother-in-law.
She makes her initial appearance in the play at her granddaughter’s wedding reception held at Hamilton House. To the surprise of everyone in attendance, including Mr. Tsiba, Mrs. Borofosem, and the members of the Cosmopolitan Club, she abruptly interrupts the ceremony. She forcibly takes Miss. Tsiba to her house, away from her intended spouse (Mr. Okadu). She facilitated the marriage of Miss. Tsiba to another man and accompanied her to court, where Mr. Onyimdze assisted her in prevailing over Mr. Okadu in the dispute over the ownership of Miss. Tsiba. She symbolizes women who can go any lent to get the best for their children.
MR. BOROFOSEM
He is a merchant who sent his wife, Mrs. Borofosem, to England and found himself unable to cope with the unfamiliar aspects of her Western society. His wife compels him to imitate everything English, instructing him on attire, addressing her, and even how he kisses her. Mr. Onyimdze’s exposure to the imperfections of Western culture in court significantly influenced his understanding and view of African traditional beliefs and values. This is obvious in his choice of clothing, dietary preferences, and behavioral tendencies.