'School Bag'

The play 'School Bag' written and produced by Zara Airall was an excellent portrayal of how items found in school bags symbolise various issues faced by teenagers. During their free periods the characters discussed problems such as rape, gangs, sex and parent communication issues. The actors played their roles well, showing alot of emotion, for example when upset they would throw furniture or personal items.

One problem is that sometimes they would turn their backs to the audience. This is an issue because it prevented the audience from fully connecting with them. The sound system was poor at times but overall was efficient. The rain was another issue. Because of this the audience had to leave theeir seats and miss part of the play.

In spite of the negative aspects, there were many positive points. The actors were dressed in school uniforms which is accurate because the setting was in a classroom. The props helped to bring across the play's themes. For instance the condom represented pre-marital sex among teenagers and the weed and gun showed the influence of gangs on teenagers.

The play's plot was really good. It shows the problems teenagers face and the possible outcomes if no help is seeked. Even though there were some technical issues the actual play was a success, largely in part to the inspirational storyline and energy of the actors.

Gender roles is Shakesperean time

Role of women:

In Shakespearean time women were expected to carry out all household duties such as cleaning, cooking and child rearing, which could be seen as their most important function; to reproduce. They could not have a professional job, and instead were taught how to sew, cook, play instruments and manage a household. They could not choose their husbands, fathers or some other male guardian would approve of potential suitors. They were rarely made heirs and they were also expected to behave a certain way. Women were to be meek, religious, polite, graceful and obediant to males.

Role of men:

Men were expected to care for the women in their families, in terms of financial support and decision making. Typically family fortunes would be passed on to men. Women were expected to respect and obey men because they were the dominant sex.

Treatment of illegitimate children:

Illegitimate children were shunned by society. This is because they were the result of a sinful union between an unmarried couple. They often were mistreated and received the least of their father's fortune.

Characters which defy their traditional roles:

In the play, Much Ado About Nothing, characters are presented who break social norms. Beatrice is an outspoken, rude and loud lady, instead of the meek, gentle lady she should be. Inatead of wanting to marry and ultimately serve her husband she vows never to marry saying no man is good enough for her, which displays arrogance and pride typically reserved for the men of that time.

Hero is made her fathers' heir even though she is female. This shows that not all fortunes were passed on to males.

Margaret is involved in the plot to dishonor Hero, showing that not alll women were capable of being virtuous and honest.

It is tradition for a man to marry and reproduce so that his lineage mat be passed on but Benedick does not wish this for himself.

Instead of cursing and mistreating Don John the charaters were all polite and respected him.

Quotes from Much Ado About Nothing

1. "The savage bull may, but if ever the senible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns, and set them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write, here is good horse to hire: let them signify under my sign, here you may see Benedick the married man."
Benedick said this. The dramatic significance is that Benedick is showing how opposed he is to marriage and that no woman will ever be able to make him fall so deeply in love that he would ever consider marriage. However, it is seen later in the play that he indeed does fall in love with Beatrice. So the significance is that when a character says he will NEVER do something he will eventually do it.
The meaning of the quote is that even a savage bull may settle down but if Benedick does Don Pedro and Claudio should put the bull's horns on his head and display him to everyone. This is saying that Benedick would not get married because he does not trust women and fears embarassment, this is seen by the reference to horns which is a sign of cuckholdery or infidelity.


2. "What should I do with him, dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewomen? he that hath a beard, is more than a youth: and he that hath no beard, is less than a man:and he that is more than a youth, is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him, therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the Berrord, and lead his apes into hell."
Beatrice said this. The significance is that Beatrice would rather go to hell than get married and that no man is good enough for her, which will be seen to be a lie for she eventually falls in love with Benedick.
The quote means that even Beatrice admits that she is hard to please and therefore will remain single. This is seen when she says bearded men and beardless men aren't for her so therefore no man is for her.

Desperation in Brother Man

In the novel ,Brother Man, desperation is a theme exibited by several characters, such as Cordelia and Papacita.

Papacita longed for Minette to be his. So in order to attract her attention he devised a plan which included Cordelia planting counterfeit money in Bra'man's house to frame him, then Papacita would go down to the jail and bail him out. This can be seen as a desperate attempt to woo Minette by making her think that Papacita was a kind generous man.

Cordelia displayed many instances of desperation. Cordelia's character is introduced to the readers as a frustrated and confused woman. After her man was sent to prison for possession of ganga she became paranoid that everyone close to her would eventually abandon her. To prevent this she employed various desperate tactics. To prevent her sister, Jesmina, from moving out she locked her into her own room. Also, to prevent her son from dying she paid Bra'Ambo, an obeah man, to heal him. This shows that she became so desperate that she lost her faith in God.

In the end Cordelia is so desperate for peace of mind that she suffocates her son then hangs herself. Desperation can therefore be seen to be a powerful motivating factor to do things you normally wouldn't in order to achieve a goal.

Much Ado About Nothing

The title of the Shakespearean play, 'Much Ado About Nothing' suggests that the entire play will be based on the characters exaggerating simple issues, therefore making a big deal about nothing. This is seen when the rumors of Hero's infidelity and Don Pedro's love for Hero are spread and made into big issues.

Life of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and baptised on 26 April 1564. His parents were John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, he was their third child out of eight and their eldest son. He was born into a wealthy family, his father was a glover and alderman while his mother was the daughter of a wealthy landowner.

On 27 November, 1582 at the age of 18 Shakespeare married 26 year old Anne Hathaway. Six months later she gave birth to their eldest child Susanna. In 1585 they had twins Hamnet and Judith.

William Shakespeare had a successful career as an actor, poet and playwright. He was also part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. His plays were mainly comedies and tragedies. His work consisted of 38 plays and 154 sonnets. His plays have been translated into every major language and are still being performed today.

Shakespeare was an extremely talented man. This is seen by his works being reprinted and made into movies. He is still a significant and important writer.

'The novel Brother Man is very symbolic'

I agree with this statement, the book was incredibly symbolic. The plot is based on the biblical story of Jesus' crucifixtion, but it is a Jamaican version. Bra' man spiritual healing powers is symbolic of Jesus' powers. Minnette, a former prostitute symbolizes Mary Magdalene, a former prostitute and a faithful believer in Jesus.
In the story rumors of Bra' mans' powers spread causing him to gather a large following, this is symbolic of the Jesus and his followers. Some of Bra' mans' followers tried to touch and wash his feet this is also symbolic of Jesus and his followers.
Later on Bra mans' followers turned on him just as jesus' own did.

Reflection on 'Brother Man'

So far i am not that intrigued by the book, though the struggles of certain characters are somewhat interesting. For instance, Minette appears to be attracted to Bra'man but he is oblivious to her feelings. This frustrates me almost as much as it frustrates Minette! BUT, he may not totally oblivious he may just be ignoring her, which isn't much better!
I think that the relationship between Papacita and Girly is sad and i almost feel sorry for her except that no one is forcing her to be in the relationship.
Thus far I have noticed that there are two VERY different types of spiritual healing. Bra' man heals through prayer soley while Bra' Ambo appears to be a voodoo practitioner.
The community seems to be very close knit and riddled with social issues, such as drugs, addiction, counterfeiting, prostitution, domestic abuse, poverty and hunger. All these issues introduced fairly early in the book make me eager to read on!