QUESTION 1:
THE ENDING OF THE TRIBE OF GRAVES DOES NOT OFFER A NEAT ENDING, BUT
RATHER, COMMENTS ON THE MAJOR TRAGIC CONCERNS OF THE ROLE PLAY.
DISCUSS THE ABOVE ASSERTION IN THE LINE OF THE TRIBE OF GRAVES
Introduction
Basil Diki's The Tribe of Graves ends on a tragic and unresolved note rather than
providing a neat and satisfying conclusion. Instead of restoring order and
harmony, the playwright uses the ending to highlight the major tragic concerns
that run throughout the play. The conclusion emphasizes the destructive effects
of betrayal, the conflict between tradition and change, the abuse of power, and
the inevitability of fate and death. However, some aspects of the ending suggest
a degree of closure through the exposure of wrongdoing, the triumph of truth,
and the possibility of renewal. Therefore, while the ending contains a few
elements of resolution, it largely serves as a commentary on the tragic concerns
that dominate the play.
The ending highlights the destructive consequences of betrayal.
One of the major tragic concerns emphasized in the ending is betrayal and its
devastating effects. Throughout the play, characters betray family ties, cultural
values, and communal trust in pursuit of personal interests. As the story
concludes, these acts of disloyalty result in suffering, death, and social
disintegration. The tragic outcome demonstrates that betrayal destroys
relationships and weakens the moral fabric of society. Through this ending, Diki
comments on how selfish actions can bring irreversible consequences not only to
individuals but also to entire communities.
The ending reinforces the conflict between tradition and change.
Another tragic concern reflected in the conclusion is the tension between
traditional values and emerging ideas. The play presents characters who either
defend ancestral customs or challenge them. By the end, this conflict remains
unresolved, showing the difficulty of reconciling old beliefs with new realities.
Rather than offering a clear solution, Diki leaves the audience contemplating the
consequences of cultural clashes. This unresolved struggle contributes to the
tragic nature of the ending and highlights the challenges faced by societies
undergoing transformation.
The ending exposes the abuse of power and its consequences.
The conclusion also comments on the dangers of power when it is misused.
Certain characters exploit their positions of authority for personal gain, leading
to injustice and suffering. As events unfold, the abuse of power contributes
significantly to the tragedy that engulfs the community. The ending serves as a
warning against corruption and tyranny by demonstrating how leaders who
prioritize self-interest over communal welfare ultimately bring destruction upon
themselves and others.
The ending emphasizes the inevitability of fate, death and human
suffering.
Furthermore, the ending underscores the tragic reality that human beings cannot
always escape fate and suffering. Death, loss and grief dominate the final
scenes, reinforcing the symbolism suggested by the title The Tribe of Graves. The
conclusion suggests that suffering is an unavoidable part of human existence
and that individuals often become victims of forces beyond their control. This
grim outlook prevents the play from achieving a happy resolution and instead
deepens its tragic impact.
However, the ending provides some closure through the exposure of
truth.
Despite its tragic nature, the ending offers a measure of resolution because
hidden truths and secrets are eventually revealed. The exposure of wrongdoing
allows both characters and the audience to understand the causes of the
tragedy. This revelation resolves certain uncertainties that have driven the plot
and creates a sense of justice, even though the consequences remain painful.
Therefore, the ending is not entirely open-ended.
The ending also suggests the triumph of justice over wrongdoing.
In addition, some characters are forced to confront the consequences of their
actions. Their downfall implies that moral justice ultimately prevails. Although
the punishment of wrongdoers does not reverse the damage already done, it
provides a degree of satisfaction and closure. This aspect of the ending indicates
that unethical behaviour cannot continue indefinitely without repercussions.
The ending leaves room for hope and renewal.
Finally, the conclusion hints at the possibility of rebuilding after tragedy. While
many losses have occurred, the surviving members of the community have an
opportunity to learn from past mistakes and chart a better future. This
suggestion of renewal prevents the ending from being completely hopeless and
introduces a small element of optimism amidst the sorrow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the assertion is valid to a greater extent. The ending of The Tribe
of Graves does not provide a neat and comfortable resolution but instead
comments on the major tragic concerns of the play. Through its emphasis on
betrayal, the conflict between tradition and change, the abuse of power, and the
inevitability of suffering and death, the conclusion reinforces the tragic vision of
the drama. Although elements such as the revelation of truth, the triumph of
justice, and the possibility of renewal offer some closure, these are
overshadowed by the overwhelming sense of loss and unresolved conflict. Thus,
the ending primarily serves as a powerful reflection on the tragic realities
explored throughout the play.
QUESTION 2:
ANALYSE THE STRUCTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF KING
MBANO’S TROUBLING DREAMS IN ACT 1. HOW DO THE SUPERNATURAL OMENS
SET THE DIRECTION FOR THE PLAY’S RESOLUTION.
Introduction
In The Tribe of Graves, Basil Diki uses King Mbano's troubling dreams and
the supernatural omens in Act 1 as important dramatic devices that shape
the development and resolution of the play. Structurally, the dreams
function as foreshadowing mechanisms that introduce conflict, create
suspense, and establish the tragic atmosphere of the drama.
Psychologically, they reveal the king's inner fears, anxieties, and growing
sense of helplessness in the face of impending disaster. The supernatural
omens further direct the audience towards the tragic conclusion by
predicting the collapse of leadership, exposing the influence of ancestral
forces, highlighting the inevitability of fate, and warning against moral
transgressions. However, some may argue that human choices, political
conflicts, and personal ambition play a more significant role in
determining the play's outcome than supernatural signs. Nevertheless,
the dreams and omens largely set the direction for the play's resolution.
King Mbano's dreams foreshadow the tragic events that unfold
later in the play.
The dreams are structurally important because they serve as a
foreshadowing device. Early in the play, King Mbano experiences
disturbing visions that suggest danger, death, and instability within the
kingdom. These warnings prepare the audience for the tragic
developments that follow. As the plot progresses and calamities occur, the
audience recognises that the dreams were predicting these events. This
creates dramatic coherence because the ending appears to fulfil the
warnings introduced at the beginning. Therefore, the dreams help
establish the tragic trajectory of the play and guide the audience towards
its eventual resolution.
The dreams reveal King Mbano's psychological turmoil and
vulnerability.
Psychologically, the dreams expose the king's fears and insecurities.
Although he occupies a position of authority, the troubling visions make
him aware of forces beyond his control. His anxiety and uncertainty reveal
his human vulnerability and weaken the image of him as an all-powerful
ruler. As he becomes increasingly troubled by the omens, the audience
gains insight into his mental and emotional state. This psychological
tension contributes to the tragic atmosphere and helps explain some of
the decisions he makes later in the play. Thus, the dreams serve as a
window into the king's troubled mind.
The supernatural omens establish the power of ancestral and
spiritual forces.
The omens direct the play's resolution by emphasizing the influence of the
spiritual world over human affairs. In the Rozvi worldview presented in the
play, ancestors actively communicate with the living through dreams,
signs, and prophecies. The disturbing omens suggest that the ancestors
are warning the kingdom about impending disaster. As events unfold, it
becomes clear that these warnings are not merely imaginary but are
connected to the spiritual order governing society. Consequently, the
tragic ending appears to be part of a larger supernatural design,
reinforcing the significance of ancestral authority.
The omens highlight the inevitability of fate and tragedy.
Another important function of the dreams is that they create a sense of
unavoidable destiny. From the beginning, the audience is made aware that
disaster is approaching. Even when characters attempt to change
circumstances, the supernatural warnings continue to loom over the
action. This creates dramatic irony because the audience understands the
seriousness of the danger while some characters fail to act appropriately.
By the time the tragedy reaches its climax, the fulfilment of the omens
suggests that fate cannot easily be escaped. Therefore, the supernatural
signs play a major role in directing the play towards its tragic resolution.
However, human decisions contribute significantly to the play's
outcome.
Despite the importance of the dreams, the resolution of the play is not
determined solely by supernatural forces. Many tragic events occur
because characters make poor decisions. Ambition, jealousy, betrayal,
and poor judgement worsen existing tensions and accelerate the downfall
of individuals and the kingdom. If wiser decisions had been made, some of
the disasters might have been avoided. This suggests that human agency
is equally important in shaping the play's ending.
Political conflicts also influence the resolution more directly than
the omens.
The kingdom faces various political challenges, including struggles for
power and leadership disputes. These conflicts create instability and fuel
the tensions that eventually erupt into tragedy. While the omens predict
disaster, it is the political actions of characters that translate these
warnings into reality. Thus, the resolution can also be viewed as the
product of political mismanagement rather than supernatural intervention
alone.
Personal ambition and greed are central causes of the tragedy.
Furthermore, some characters pursue personal interests at the expense of
communal welfare. Their selfish ambitions create divisions and conflicts
that contribute directly to the tragic ending. The supernatural omens may
warn against such behaviour, but it is ultimately the characters' greed and
desire for power that bring destruction. Therefore, the ending can partly
be explained through human weaknesses rather than fate alone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, King Mbano's troubling dreams are both structurally and
psychologically significant in The Tribe of Graves. Structurally, they
foreshadow future events, create suspense, establish the tragic mood, and
prepare the audience for the play's resolution. Psychologically, they reveal
the king's fears and vulnerability. The supernatural omens direct the
course of the drama by highlighting ancestral influence and the
inevitability of fate. However, human decisions, political conflicts, and
personal ambition also play important roles in shaping the outcome.
Nevertheless, the dreams and omens remain the dominant forces that set
the direction for the play's tragic resolution and reinforce its central
themes of fate, spirituality, and human suffering.