AFRICAN DRAMA
Athol Fugard: Sizwe Bansi is Dead
Discuss two dramatic techniques in the play
Explanation
Athol Fugard employs several dramatic techniques in his play, Sizwe Bansi is Dead, to portray the dark side of theexte illo-F apartheid system in South Africa. Among the dramatic techniques employed, the following are worthy of note:
Fugard employs this technique through the use of one principal character, Styles to unfold the evils of the apartheid This system in South Africa. Styles being the sole actor of most of the actions in the play speaks directly to the audience, thus revealing his fears, hopes and reactions against the apartheid system. The use of this technique gives the play the a bloody advantage of continuity of action. It also enables the reader to empathise with style in his sufferings, as well as form a friend Le office u picture of the general life of black people Maa Flashback Through flashback, the audience is introduced to past events. With styles on stage, the audience is not just witnessing with his c one of hi for whites at Ford’s Motors.
Through flashback too, we see what happens in Style’s photographic studio which has actions or events in the present but is also made aware of issues like land ownership and the plight of blacks who work home. The become a place where blacks realize their dreams. Bansi tells his own story too through flashback. This technique a allows the audience to empathise with the black South African whose life and that of his race is being ordered by the after all, Fine whites.
This technique also conveys the long time frustrations and degradation of the black majority. Symbolism n to Aar hearts’ c Symbolism is yet another dramatic technique used in the play. Styles decision to resign from Ford’s Motors is in itself 5. Hav symbolic. It shows that Styles is now a man of his own ready to take his own decisions for his own freedom. The photographic studio symbolizes a place where the blacks have their dreams realized in a ruthless system that has as the ” dashed their hopes and dreams. This, in itself, represents an avenue for blacks to escape, though temporarily, from the c° m The i harsh realities of the system. The cockroaches are symbolic of the intruding whites who have resisted the struggle of oppress. blacks for a long time. been m; This is further symbolized by Styles’ use of ‘Doom’ an insecticide as an instrument for the elimination of the white soldiers oppressors.
The camera is equally a symbol. As an instrument it is used to capture and preserve the dreams of black people human rights. The pass book, and the white police symbolize the cruel system of apartheid that does not respect any form of that fail’
Humour:
Styles behaviour and actions often tend to be humorous and satirical as seen for example, in his interpretation of Baas Bradley’s speech to his fellow blacks. As the audience laughs, the realities of black life are made manifest.
Mime :
Other technique include miming which styles use in the same speech to his fellow blacks. Mime is used as a tool for while c ridiculing white people. There is also the use of the epistolary style which reveals aspects of Styles’ predicament as he goes looking for a job.