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Evaluating the role of women in conflict resolution in “Once upon an Elephant”
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Explaining Eliot’s use of Greek tragedy conventions in the development of the plot in “Murder in the Cathedral”
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Discussing the relevance of three characters to the development of the plot in “Mine Boy”
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Jane Eyre is not the quintessential Victorian woman, Discuss.
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Examine the use of animal images in Nightfall in Soweto Mtshali
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Examine John Milton’s Paradise Lost as a Renaissance poem.
Answers:
- Evaluating the Role of Women in Conflict Resolution in Once Upon an Elephant - Bose Afolayan
Introduction
Once Upon an Elephant by Bose Afolayan is a satirical drama that exposes social decay, corruption, and moral contradictions in society. Central to the play is the role played by women, who emerge not merely as passive observers but as active agents in resolving conflicts and restoring moral balance. Through dialogue, wisdom, and strategic intervention, women contribute significantly to conflict resolution in the play.
Body
One major way women contribute to conflict resolution is through moral intervention. Female characters act as the conscience of society, openly condemning corruption, greed, and abuse of power. Their voices challenge the excesses of authority figures, thereby exposing the root causes of conflict within the community.
Secondly, women serve as mediators and peace advocates. Rather than resorting to violence or confrontation, they employ dialogue, persuasion, and emotional appeal to de-escalate tensions. This approach contrasts sharply with the aggressive tendencies of male characters and highlights women as symbols of calm and rationality.
Women also play a protective role, especially in safeguarding communal values and the welfare of the vulnerable. By speaking up against injustice and manipulation, they prevent conflicts from escalating into chaos. Their concern for social harmony underscores their commitment to collective progress rather than personal gain.
Furthermore, women in the play expose hypocrisy and deception, thereby forcing resolution through truth. By revealing hidden motives and immoral actions, they compel wrongdoers to confront their actions, which ultimately leads to reconciliation or corrective measures.
Conclusion
In Once Upon an Elephant, women are portrayed as vital instruments of conflict resolution. Through moral guidance, mediation, protection of communal values, and exposure of wrongdoing, they help restore order and sanity in society. Bose Afolayan therefore presents women as indispensable pillars of peace and social stability.
- Eliot’s Use of Greek Tragedy Conventions in Murder in the Cathedral
Introduction
T. S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral is a poetic drama that dramatizes the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket. In developing the plot, Eliot draws heavily on conventions of Greek tragedy, adapting them to suit Christian themes of sacrifice and martyrdom.
Body
One prominent Greek tragedy convention used by Eliot is the chorus. The Chorus of Women of Canterbury functions like the chorus in classical Greek drama. They comment on events, express communal fear and suffering, and reflect the emotional state of society. Their chants and laments heighten tension and guide the audience’s moral interpretation of events.
Another convention is fate and inevitability. Like tragic heroes in Greek drama, Becket’s death appears unavoidable. Despite warnings and temptations, he moves steadily toward martyrdom, emphasizing the tragic sense of destiny that governs the plot.
Eliot also employs tragic conflict, not between individuals but within Becket himself. His internal struggle—whether his desire for martyrdom is pure or motivated by pride—mirrors the inner conflicts of Greek tragic heroes such as Oedipus or Agamemnon.
Additionally, the play observes a form of tragic structure, progressing from exposition to climax and catastrophe. The murder of Becket serves as the tragic climax, while the aftermath brings moral reflection rather than simple resolution.
Conclusion
By adapting Greek tragedy conventions such as the chorus, fate, tragic conflict, and structured progression, Eliot deepens the dramatic and philosophical impact of Murder in the Cathedral. These techniques enrich the plot and elevate the play beyond historical narration to tragic universality.
- The Relevance of Three Characters to the Development of the Plot in Mine Boy - Peter Abrahams
Introduction
Peter Abrahams’ Mine Boy explores racial oppression, economic exploitation, and resistance in apartheid South Africa. The development of the plot is driven largely by key characters whose actions and beliefs shape the narrative.
Body
Xuma, the protagonist, is central to the plot. His journey from a rural background to the harsh reality of Johannesburg mines exposes the cruelty of apartheid and capitalism. Through Xuma’s experiences, the novel reveals the suffering of black mine workers and the gradual awakening of political consciousness.
Leah is another important character. As a strong, independent woman, she provides shelter and emotional support to Xuma. Her courage and defiance inspire resistance against oppression and contribute to the novel’s theme of communal solidarity.
Eliza, Xuma’s love interest, represents assimilation and internalized racism. Her rejection of African identity creates emotional conflict for Xuma and highlights the psychological damage caused by racial discrimination. Her character advances the plot by deepening Xuma’s awareness of identity and pride.
Conclusion
Through Xuma, Leah, and Eliza, Abrahams effectively develops the plot of Mine Boy. Each character embodies a distinct response to oppression, collectively driving the novel’s exploration of resistance, identity, and social injustice.
- Jane Eyre Is Not the Quintessential Victorian Woman - Discuss
Introduction
Victorian women were traditionally expected to be submissive, passive, and economically dependent. In Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, however, the protagonist challenges these norms, making her untypical of the conventional Victorian woman.
Body
Jane Eyre defies Victorian expectations through her assertion of independence. She insists on self-respect and personal dignity, even when faced with oppression at Gateshead and Lowood. Her refusal to become Rochester’s mistress demonstrates moral courage and autonomy.
She also challenges gender norms through her intellectual equality with men. Jane openly expresses her opinions and emotions, asserting that women deserve the same emotional and intellectual fulfillment as men.
Furthermore, Jane values emotional and moral integrity over wealth or status. Her rejection of St. John Rivers’ loveless proposal emphasizes her insistence on personal happiness rather than social duty.
Conclusion
Jane Eyre is not the quintessential Victorian woman because she rejects passivity and dependence. Through independence, moral strength, and self-assertion, Bronte presents Jane as a progressive figure who challenges Victorian gender ideals.
- Use of Animal Images in Nightfall in Soweto - Oswald Mtshali
Introduction
In Nightfall in Soweto, Oswald Mtshali employs vivid animal imagery to portray fear, oppression, and violence under apartheid. These images deepen the poem’s emotional and symbolic impact.
Body
One striking animal image is the comparison of nightfall to a predatory beast. The night is depicted as something that “creeps” and “pounces,” symbolizing the constant threat faced by black residents.
Animal imagery also portrays the dehumanization of the oppressed. People are reduced to prey, hunted and trapped by an unjust system, emphasizing their vulnerability.
Additionally, animal images reflect brutality and lawlessness. The unseen forces of oppression resemble wild animals that attack without warning, reinforcing the atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Conclusion
[No conclusion provided in original]
- Paradise Lost as a Renaissance Poem - John Milton
Introduction
John Milton’s Paradise Lost is widely regarded as a Renaissance epic poem. It reflects Renaissance ideals such as humanism, classical influence, and intellectual inquiry.
Body
The poem embodies humanism through its focus on human choice and free will. Adam and Eve’s fall results from conscious decisions, emphasizing individual responsibility.
Milton draws heavily on classical epic traditions, invoking the muse and employing epic similes, thereby aligning the poem with Renaissance admiration for classical literature.
The poem also demonstrates intellectual and philosophical depth, engaging with themes of obedience, authority, and knowledge—central concerns of Renaissance thought.
Additionally, Milton’s emphasis on individual ambition, particularly in Satan’s character, reflects Renaissance interest in power, rebellion, and self-assertion.
Conclusion
Paradise Lost qualifies as a Renaissance poem due to its humanistic themes, classical influence, intellectual depth, and focus on individual agency. Milton successfully blends Christian theology with Renaissance ideals, producing a timeless epic.