The Samaritan Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Act1 Scene 1- The Failed Award

The setting is at Sagrada secondary school hall at around 10.00 am. This school is on a hill in Maracas municipality. The teachers and students are seated and Mr.  Carmona, the school deputy principal walks in and goes straight to the podium. There is a silence. He greets everyone and the students respond in chorus.

He informs them that the Samaritan, the winning innovation in the year’s secondary schools’ national innovation competition, will be officially launched in the municipality. The event will be presided over by his worship Hon. Mossi, The Mayor. The Mayor, few distinguished municipal leaders and members of the local school board have arrived in school and will shortly come into the hall. The students were to remain standing and quiet until the guests are lead into the hall by the principal. Once the guests are seated, Mr. Carmona tells the students to sit. Shortly, The Mayor walks in alongside the principal of the school, Ms. Narine, they are followed by the deputy Mayor, Hon. Ramdaye: the municipality political opposition leader, Hon. Basdeo: the chief executive officer, Maracas municipality, Mr. Harvester and then the members of the local school board. Two journalists shortly enter the hall fully armed with their paraphernalia.

The deputy principal asks the students to take their seats. He then invites the school principal to welcome the guests and lead them through the rest of the Programme. The principal welcomes the guests to the ceremony in which they officially are to launch the Samaritan and present a prize to Alvita and Montano, students at Sagrada secondary school who created the winning innovation.

The principal invites Nicole, the ethics and innovation teacher to introduce the innovation. Alvita and Montano take us in the future, fifty years to come. They make us understand what is happening now and they exaggerate what will happen in fifty years to come. We are exposed to climate change, use of technology and they further tell us about their innovation of The Samaritan.

The Mayor rises to his feet, wears his hat, picks his walking stick and walks center stage. He says that they will neither launch the innovation nor present the prize on this day, because they need time to reflect on the implications. He sends away the teachers and students so that they can discuss with the principal and teacher Nicole the way forward of the innovation. He then tells them that they will not precede the Samaritan as it may turn out to be a platform for misinformation, lies and witch-hunt.

The Mayor tells the principal that she has it within her powers to find a way around it. He tells teacher Nicole to figure out a way… like writing to the ministry of education indicating that there are some fundamental errors in it that need to  be solved. He attempts to corrupt them so that they can do away with The Samaritan He raises his voice at the teacher and reminds her through blackmail that his decision supersedes those of any education official anywhere in the country (P. 17).

Pirro tries to tell him that they cannot overrule the ministry, but the Mayor proudly says that he does not argue with a simple chairman of a local school board. Nicole tries to make him understand that the app has been online for a month hence it has been taken over by the national information and communications technology cooperation but Mayor Mossi raises his voice at her even louder and tells her to go and write the letter and copy my office through your school principal. He wants to find a copy of the letter in his office in one hours’ time.

Mossi appreciates all for honouring his call for an emergency meeting. He tells them that there is a new trend gaining ground in the municipality that could adversely affect the leaders. He had asked Harvester to buy all the newspapers as all these newspapers focused on the municipal leaders and had headlines that are extremely damaging.

For Ted and Jaden, these were usual problems leaders must have with the media from time to time. Jaden further suggests that they need to blackmail the reporters and the editors with more boxes of chocolate. Bembe also suggests that they can threaten some of them.

Mossi narrows down the problem to The Samaritan which is the source of information in these newspapers.  Mossi reminds them that he had declined to officially launch this innovation by students of Sagrada secondary school the previous year because he had figured out that it could be a problem for them.

Harvester explains to the members that the Samaritan is mobile application in which people are posting and sharing any information that they have on the conduct of the municipality. Seymour proposes that they obtain cash, identify those most active in posting information and pay them off to stop it. Mossi says that there is public outcry over sums of money every month without rendering any service (supply of air). Harvester says that there are many other allegations including drug trafficking, grabbing of public land, inflation of the costs of the municipal projects, use of proxies to secure municipal tenders, undertaking shoddy public works and gang warfare. Mossi further adds that there is a lot of lifestyle audit of individual municipal officials, where they live, the kind of houses they live in, and their business, the vehicles they own, other properties in their possession, when the properties were acquired and a lot of other personal details.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Technology

There are intelligent robots mentioned by Alvita and Montano in their play within a play (P. 8).

The two students too mention technology for cleaning the air and carbon emissions (P. 9).

 Alvita and Montano discuss the role of digital pigeon holes (P. 10).

 The Samaritan app has been online for a month now. It has already been taken over by the national information and communication technology cooperation (P. 18).

Alvita talks about people taking photos and videos of illegal activities that degrade the environment after which they are posted on the digital pigeon holes (P. 11).

Alvita suggests in a play within a play that drugs are generated to regenerate body cells and no one could grow old instead young and beautiful and 250 years (P. 8).

She also shares that there are self-driven vehicles ferrying robot to various destinations to attend meetings and transact businesses (P.9).

 The robots will be venturing outside the earth and spend a lot of time conquering new parts of the words (P.8)

Intelligent robots were made to replace judges and the police to enhance justice and there will be no discrimination.

 Machines were doing all the work for us, whole factories, hotels, and hospitals were being run entirely by intelligent machines and robots(P.9)

2.     Hope and optimism

Alvita talks about people taking photos and videos of illegal activities that degrade the environment after which they are posted on the digital pigeon holes (P. 11).

Alvita suggests in a play within a play that drugs are generated to regenerate body cells and no one could grow old instead young and beautiful and 250 years (P. 8).

She also shares that there are self-driven vehicles ferrying robot to various destinations to attend meetings and transact businesses.

 The robots will be venturing outside the earth and spend a lot of time conquering new parts of the words (P.8)

Intelligent robots were made to replace judges and the police to enhance justice and there will be no discrimination.

 Machines were doing all the work for us, whole factories, hotels, and hospitals were being run entirely by intelligent machines and robots (P.9).

3.     Bad governance and negligence by the leaders

Alvita says that resources are there, however, they should be well used and put to the right channel and for the correct purpose (P. 10).

People cannot afford medicine and good food at all and suffer from malnutrition (P. 7).

Crime is too high with people being slaughtered like chicken (P. 7).

 Law enforcers and judges serve those who grease their hands, hence people lack an avenue for protection and justice hence seek a private one or take law into their own hands.(P. 7).

4.     Corruption, Impunity and Blackmail

Law enforcers and judges serve those who grease their hands, hence people lack an avenue for protection and justice (P. 7).

 Mossi tells the principal that it is in her powers to find a way around (P. 17).

 He says that his decision supersedes those of any education officials anywhere in the country (P.17).

5.     Environmental degradation and Climatic change

Alvita talks about people taking photos and videos of illegal activities that degrade the environment after which they are posted on the digital pigeon holes (P. 11).

Montano predicts the future world where the cities have a bad stench because cleaning water was very scarce after the climatic change (P. 6).

Montano too shares that there are unpredictable weather patterns, it hardly rains (P. 6).

Montano says that people begun to eat strange things like insects, crawling creatures, rodents and sea creatures (P. 6).

Once the weather patterns change, life expectancy drops drastically (P. 7).

6.     Hopelessness and Desperation

People cannot afford medicine and good food at all and suffer from malnutrition (P. 7).

Montano shares that millions of young people were loitering aimlessly in the streets and villages without gainful employment. All of them were poor hungry and angry (P. 5).

Montano too says crime is too high with people being slaughtered like chicken (P. 7).

 She further shares that law enforcers and judges serve those who grease their hands hence people lack an avenue for protection and justice hence seek a private one or take law into their own hands (P. 7).

7.     Poverty and unemployment/joblessness

Montano shares that millions of young people were loitering aimlessly in the streets and villages without gainful employment. All of them were poor hungry and angry (P. 5).

Montano tells Alvita that their country has been producing graduates every year that the jobs it is able to create (P. 5).

8.     Education

Sagrada secondary school is an institution where education is offered. It has students like Alvita and Montano who are creative and innovative. They are mentored by Nicole. There is a deputy by the name Carmona and the principal Narine who supports their program.

 Montano tells Alvita that their country has been producing graduates every year that the jobs it is able to create (P. 5).

Language use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Hyperbole/ Exaggeration/ Overstatement

Montano too tells Alvita what she sees in future, “the way your nose was running as though you had a drum of fluids in the middle of your head (P. 6).”

 Montano tells Alvita “you had a fertile imagination (P. 8).”

 Nicole tells the students “What an overheated imagination (P. 9).”

 Mossi says, “I would especially be delighted if the medicine for regenerating my body cells was discovered today. That would enable me live for four hundred and twenty-two more years (P. 14 and 15).”

Mossi shares, “I accidentally swallowed a whole toothpick (P.16).”

Nicole’s movement is exaggerated with, “Her sharp footsteps can be heard reverberating in the corridor like castanets (P. 18)”.

b.    Vivid description

The scene is introduced with an in-depth description of the setting. We are told Chairs and tables are arranged in three rows with two passageways, one on either side of the middle row (P. 1).”

Ms. Narine is described as, “She is motherly, tall plump lady in her late fifties (P. 3)”.

Nicole is portrayed as, “She is dressed in her trade mark style comprising flowery banarasi silk sari and a headscarf (P. 3)”

Further description shows her as, “She is a young, tall, light skinned lady of medium build, a renowned beauty and an uncomprising moralist (P. 3).”

Mayor is a tall heavy man, called Mossi (P. 2).

Nicole is described as “She is spotting a wavy side pony-tail hairstyle and is smartly dressed in a black skirt and a white blouse (P. 3-4)”.

c.      Personification

Montano tells Alvita, “Your nose was running (P. 6).”

Montano informs Alvita, “You hard a fertile imagination (P. 8).”

Basdeo says “It will be a delicious new dawn in our islands (P. 19).”

d.    Simile

You just send a text message on the App and it spreads like a wild bushfire (P. 16).

Her sharp footsteps can be heard reverberating in the corridor like castanets (P. 18).

People slaughtered like chicken (P. 7).

e.      Metaphor

 Montano tells Alvita, “You hard a fertile imagination (P. 8).”

f.       Symbolism

Montano says we better discuss which side of the fence that bird will fly- when it eventually decides to fly (P. 9).The bird represents the Municipal leaders who have to make the decision for the state and citizens.

2.     Euphemism

Montano tells Alvita, “Your nose was running (P. 6).”

3.     Sarcasm

Mossi sarcastically says he would especially be delighted by the medicine for regenerating his body cells if it was discovered today. That would enable him to live for four hundred and twenty two more years (P. 14).

Mossi sarcastically refers to the Samaritan App as an incredible innovation that they have to discuss the way forward of it after students leave, only to tell them that he will not continue with this ‘Thing.’(P. 15).

Ramdaye says they might spread another rumor on the platform and Mossi may swallow another toothpick (P.16).

With a sarcastic grin, Mossi comments on Basdeo’s delicious smell of the new dawn as, “It is the smell most likely of berries or corn on cobs, they are delicacies for occupants (P. 19).”

4.     Allusion

Alvita says they named The Samaritan after the parable of the Good Samaritan narrated in the good book (P. 13).

5.     Rhetorical Questions

Montano asks Alvita the possibility of better change, “What with all these criminal gangs in the Municipality? (P. 8).

 Alvita asks Montano, “Haven’t you read about decision-making algorithm (P. 8).”

Alvita asks, “What is so special about developing an artificial police officer or judge (P. 8).

6.     Play within a play

 Alvita and Montano showcase the future and they imagine of a world of despair with a degraded environment, malnourishment, crime, and poverty contrasted with a world where technology brings hope in the judicial sector and human life span too (P. 4- 13).

7.      Satire

 The Mayor and his leaders reject the best incredible project of The Samaritan aimed to change the Municipality and the situation of the citizens. Within few minutes Mossi releases students and tells the principal and students that they will not proceed with the rewarding.

The play within a play is a satire of what may happen in future.

Montano tells Alvita that their country has been producing graduates every year that the jobs it is able to create (P. 5).

8.     Irony

It is ironical that Mossi, the Mayor says he had an express mandate given to him by the people of Maracas to protect their public interest, yet he has an intention of blocking the advancement of the Samaritan App innovation that could save them (P. 18).

9.     Elipsis

Pirro says, “Pardon me your worship, but they cannot overrule the minster… (P.18).

Mossi stammers when talking to Nicole that she should figure a way…. And further says that in it that you need to attend to … get when I mean? (P. 17).

Character Portrayal and Characterisation

1.     The Principal-Narine

a.     Firm

The principal is said to have a very strong personality (P. 3).

Role the principal

 In this act, she is more of a stock character.

2.     Mossi

a.     Opulent and flashy

Mossi has more phones. He puts his three phones….(P. 2).

b.    Temperamental

He raised his voice while addressing Nicole (P. 17).

c.      Arrogant and Proud

He says that he cannot argue with a simple chairman of a local board (P. 18).

d.    Dictatorial

He dictates what the school should do, when and how. He commands Mossi, “Go now and write that letter and copy my office through your school principal…(P. 18).”

e.      Cautious

Mossi thinks the innovation might hurt his reputation and tells the principal and Nicole, “I declined to do so when I figured out the innovation might be a problem for us (P. 15)”.

 Role of the Mossi

He builds themes of bad governance and technology as she talks about it.

He also brings out language use such as irony, satire and ellipsis.

He enables us see how firm and realistic Nicole is.

He also develops the plot as an inciting action of stopping the rewarding of the app commences.

3.     Nicole

a.     Realistic

 She tells Mossi that she may not be able to say anything about the App. She says “The App has been online for a months now and it has been taken over by The National Information and Communications Technology Corporation  and there is little they can do now (P. 18).”

Role of Nicole

We come to realize how insecure Mossi is because of her innovation with the students.

We also meet styles like satire because of her conflicting view with Mossi.

We expect the play as she resists Mossi’s suggestion of doing away with The Samaritan

4.     The students

a.     Innovative and creative

The conflicting aspect of a bright future and a dark future results from their strained imagination

b.    Courageous

 They confidently stand before the rest of the learners and the Mayors team to present their play and App.

Role of the students

They show how focused Nicole is and how selfish the Mayor is.

They set the plot in motion with their play and innovation.

 They build the play within a play.

 

 

Act I Scene II-The Rift

It takes place in the morning second Monday of January the following year at the Maracas municipal headquarters in the Mayor’s boardroom. The room displays affluence. It is an urgent meeting convened by the mayor comprising of key leaders in the municipal administration. Present members in this meeting are the Municipal Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Harvester; the principal judge, Justice Ian Jaden, The Municipal Inspector General of Police, Inspector  Bembe, Hon.Ted, secretary Department of Health and Environment; Hon Seymour ,secretary, Department of planning and development and the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Ramdaye.

It is an emergency meeting called by the Mayor Hon. Mossi after attending a closing ceremony at Sagrada secondary school. The skit is also available on the App called The Samaritan which is likely to be have been viewed by millions of people.

Mossi finds out whether the members have read the Newspapers .They negatively swing their heads confirming that they haven’t read the Newspapers. The Mayor then picks the newspapers and reads the headlines aloud. The mayor finds out that the headlines are exposing the rot in Maracas municipality.

All of them have suggestive titles, for example, The Caribbean Watch writes “Municipal leadership: A Criminal Enterprise”, The Insight writes “Rot in Maracas Municipal Council Exposed”, and The Spotlight writes ‘Municipal Leaders Face Imprisonment’.

The Mayor is worried about this exposure and to him he is aware that the source of all this information is the skit organized by Nicole at Sagrada secondary school. Surprisingly, Ted claims that such headlines are common. According to him rot is a common thing in Maracas Municipality.

Jaden feels that to stop such writings in the newspapers the reporters and editors should be given boxes of chocolate. The judge displays corruption meaning he is an unjust judge.

Ted seems to be more aware of the situation; he is relaxed and not even surprised about the Samaritan. According to him such online allegations cannot form a strong basis for prosecution and conviction. According to the Newspapers Mossi points out that Ted and Seymour are the culprits who supplied Air whereby details of payments to the company have been unearthed. Harvester goes further stating the allegations unearthed by the Newspapers; drug trafficking, grabbing of public land, inflation of the cost of municipal living, undertaking shoddy public works , murder and gang warfare. Bembe is accused of illegally owning Madingo Golf Club.

In this meeting members are thinking on how they can intimidated the developers of this app, humiliate even the press men just to cleanse themselves of the menace. Some people like Harvester and the Jaden remain liberal minded. Jaden states that he does not wish to be part of the criminal proposals, he says he is not ready to help clean the mess. Seymour proposes that they approach the boy and the girl to the matter. Mossi feels that it is the Ethics and innovation teacher to be dealt with. Harvester believes that it’s only the truth that can set everyone free, he feels that such can be done through the conduct of a truth and reconciliation exercise.

At the end of this scene a rift occurs between Mossi, Ted and Seymour. Seymour and Ted feel that Mossi is not willing to help them out of the trouble .They are planning to mobilize the members of the Council Chambers against Mossi who threatens them that he is the smoke that thunders.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Role of Media

The media has played a major role in enlightening the public on the rot in the municipality. Newspapers like, The Caribbean Watch, The Sentinel, The Insight and The Spotlight clearly uses The Samaritan app to come up with the rot affecting the Municipality (P. 21)

Jaden says that he has read the Caribbean Watch, and The Spotlight to understand the App better (P. 23).

2.     Poor leadership

Mossi’s leadership is one that cannot be envied by anyone willing to be a good leader. Every sector is stinking; he is surprised that a teacher in Sagrada secondary school has organized a skit that is displaying rot in Maracas municipality. He learns later that other leaders have been stealing money from the municipality. This puts him in conflict with other leaders like Ted and Seymour (P. 35 and 36).

3.     Corruption

 The aim of the App is to promote the public good by exposing corruption and other services (P. 23).

There is public outcry over companies that bill the municipal council huge sums of money every month without rendering the services (P. 24).

 There are issues such as grabbing of public land, inflation of the cost of municipal tenders, undertaking shoddy public works (P. 25).

 Corruption and abuse of office in the municipality is being fought by the Samaritan (P. 26).

 Seymour suggests to Mossi, Ted and Basdeo, “justify relocation of funds on need to address environmental degradation. This money can be used to fight their cases that are without doubt coming. They have to get money to fight the cases and enough of it (P. 31 and 33).”

The members of the Municipal council of members have unnecessary meetings and sign seating allowances that they do not deserve to receive (P. 34).

 Mossi said you have in the past forced my hand into misallocating funds by making unreasonable demands like travel allowance, sitting allowance, unnecessary loans and mortgages (P. 34).

Jaden suggests that all they need is to give the reporters and the editors more boxes of chocolate (P. 22).

Seymour says, “what you need to do is to obtain some cash, identify the most active in posting information and pay them to stop it (P. 24).”

Mossi condemns Ted and Seymour that since they cannot account for the possessions they have acquired so fast that they have big vehicles and are wealthy (P. 35).

4.     Technology

Harvester talks about The Samaritan as a mobile application (P. 23).

 There is cyber bullying and sharing of pornography material in school (P. 27).

5.     Blackmail  and impunity

Seymour tells Mossi to budget using a supplementary plan. When he refuses referring to the coercion they have put him into in past, Seymour insists that he is part of the crimes that have been committed under his watch and he is aware of the money Mossi has stolen. Therefore, he has to be wise and come up with a supplementary estimate of expenditure (P. 33-34).

 Mossi reminds Ted and Seymour how poor they were and when Ted responds to him he says that Mossi will take responsibility of all the rot in the Municipality. Seymour also tells him, he won’t get away with it, they will mobilize the members of the council chamber against Mossi (P. 36).

Mossi threatens others that being Mossi-oa-Tunya the smoke that thunders, he does not stop at anything and can do what he wants to anyone (P. 36).

He also tells Seymour that he will arrest and have him persecuted (P. 34 -35).

6.     Misuse of power and intimidation

Bembe suggests that they can all  the journalists or threaten some of them (P. 22).

7.     Climate change and Environmental degradation

 Seymour says, “Waste disposal system in our town is in a terrible state. There is garbage all over the place and the drains are broken. It is a serious health hazard (P. 33).”

Stylistic devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Vivid Description

A spacious rectangular-shaped room with a large pine oval table with high back executive office chairs (P. 20).

b.    Simile

 I am as broke as a church mouse (P. 31).

c.      Hyperbole

Mossi tells Ted and Seymour, “I can make you see real smoke and can strike harder than thunder (P. 35)”

2.     Elipsis

Mossi says, “Look you fools, the situation is very bad and we cannot….(P. 35).

3.     Idiomatic expression

Over my dead body (P. 33).

4.     Rhetorical Questions

Mossi asks Ted and Seymour, “How can you justify your current financial status?  (P. 35).”

He further asks them, “Who doesn’t know you have stolen the money? (P.  35).”

5.     Irony

It is ironical that Jaden is a judge who should be maintaining law and order , yet when he meets Mossi, Ted, and Seymour  he argues, “….what matters is not what you do, but how you do it (P. 29).” He goes further stating that one can fly into forbidden territory and still get away with it, provided it’s done below the radar (P. 29). This clearly shows that he is ready to justify all injustice in maracas municipality. Furthermore, he believes in corruption. He thinks that  the only way to pull down the information from the App is by use of money to influence their pursuers (P. 31).

Character portrayal and Characterisation

1.     Mossi

a.     Abusive

He insults Seymour and Ted, “ Look you fools……….(P. 35),you senseless thieves………(P. 35).”

b.    Temperamental

He shouts at Seymour and Ted “You senseless thieves, You were elected just the other day, as poor and jigger infested hoodlums (P. 35).”

c.      Proud

He calls himself, ‘Smoke that thunders’ .This is to mean that he is unstoppable (P. 35 & 36).

d.    Informed

The mayor seems more informed than his staff. He follows up on matters in Maracas Municipality. He even reads newspapers, and even attending functions like that at Sagrada just to find out what is trending. Through following of current affairs he gets to understand the situation of his municipality (P. 21).

e.      Insecure

He keeps reading newspapers out of fear that the reporters would write about him and ruin his name (P. 21).

Role of Mossi

He builds themes such as blackmail, impunity, corruption, and fear.

He also portrays other characters such as Ted and Seymour as being selfish, corrupt and greedy.

 He builds the plot as we wait to see how the rally will end and how they will solve their case.

It is also through his that styles of irony, satire, metaphors come out.

2.     Harvester

a.     Loyal

He does exactly what his boss says. He buys the Newspapers from the vendor as instructed, ‘I did as you instructed sir’ (P. 21).

b.    Knowledgeable

He knows more about The Samaritan App and how it functions. He states that the function of the App is to promote the public good by exposing corruption and other vices (P. 23).

c.      Open minded

He gives alternatives on how to avert the court cases from coming up in the first place (P. 31). He feels that restitution can work better. According to him the truth is only what can set them free (P. 32).

Role of Harvester

He builds themes of cruelty and violence

He also brings out styles of irony and satire.

He develops Mossi as unreasonable and corrupt.

3.     Jaden

a.     Enlightened

He reads newspapers often. When Mossi asks whether the members in the meeting have read the newspaper, it’s clear that he is the only one who has read it (P. 21).

 He also shares that he has read a lot of newspapers (P. 23)

b.    Corrupt

He suggests that editors and reports be given boxes of chocolate as a way of luring them not to disclose the information (P.22).

At some point when responding to Seymour he says, “….what matters is not what you do, but how you do it (P. 29).” He goes further stating that one can fly into forbidden territory and still get away with it, provided it’s done below the radar (P. 29). This clearly shows that he is ready to justify all injustice in Maracas municipality.

He believes in corruption. He believes that the only way to pull down the information from the App is by use of money to influence their pursuers (P. 31).

Role of Jaden

 Builds the plot with a twist where he is to offer justice yet is involved in injustice.

 He also brings out styles such as irony, juxtaposition, and suspense as we wait to see what will happen.

He builds other characters such as Mossi who now blackmails him.

4.     Ramdaye

a.     Materialistic and selfish/ egocentric

He says he cannot raise money when Seymour proposes that they raise money to fight cases that might be brought up against them (P. 31).

b.    Unpredictable

At some point he says he has no money since he has loans to service, later on he states that they take loans or sale their property to raise the money (P. 32).

5.     Seymour

a.     Schemer

He schemes that the App be alleged that it has a risk of spying on banks and the confidential documents of the municipal council (P. 28).

b.    Corrupt

He believes in corruption. He believes that the only way to pull down the information from the App is by use of money to influence their pursuers (P. 31).

c.      Optimistic

He believes that they will manage to fight the case by use of money, he believes that they can still money by relocating funds so as to fight any case filed against them (P. 35).

d.    Unreliable

When matters get worse he turns against Mossi, this is because Mossi is not willing to protect him. He tells Mossi that they can hound him out of office. He is ready to unearth Mossi’s rot. He is ready to mobilize the members of the council Chamber against Mossi (P. 35 and 36).

 Role of Seymour

He develops Mossi as a selfish, corrupt, and unreliable character.

He brings out aspects of blackmail and corruption.

 He also builds the plot when he plans to mobilize the members of the council chamber.

6.     Ted

a.     Fearful

He fears that once everything is tabled in court they are likely to end up in Baneta Express Prison (P. 25). He keeps wondering in fear whether such online allegations can form a basis for prosecution (P. 27).

b.    Traitorous

He says be cannot be handed to prison. He distances himself from all the rot in Maracas. He says its Mossi’s responsibility for the rot in the municipality P.36.

Role of Ted

He brings out themes of fear and betrayal.

 He also makes Mossi show how abusive and manipulative he can be.

 He brings out aspects of irony and satire.

ACT 1 Scene III-Strategies

Scene three takes place a week later after a meeting held at Maracas Municipal headquarters in the Mayor’s boardroom. It happens in Madingo Golf Club-an exclusive members club. Mr. Harvester and Inspector Bembe are seated pensively, facing each other. The Mayor is also present. Mossi calls the two dependable allies. Bembe predicts his death that he logged in to the app and learned of being accused of corruption, violation of human rights, drug peddling and extortion. He says that it has made him drift into comma at some point. Mossi tells them that Ted and Seymour are mobilizing councilors and Aldermen to pass a vote of no confidence in him. He fears that he is likely to end up in prison

They discus on what the media has presented in the Newspapers. Bembe tells the Mayor that The Sentinel claims that he lost a tooth during a boardroom meeting. Contrarily, Harvester tells Mossi that The Caribbean Watch claims that Bembe’s Hotel is built on Marcas university land. This makes him so fearful since it is the only investment he has. Bembe is also claimed to be a member of the Ghettoboyz gang that robs people all over the municipality.

They set strategies on how they can deny ever refusing to award the students for innovation. Mossi suggests the issue be considered as cyber bullying. They are even planning on how to put Ramdaye and his team behind bars so as to stop any allegations against them. Mossi suggests that they use the militia group so as to make the Municipal headquarters a no-go zone. They plan to use The Blackman who heads the Red Eagle gang, bringing down The Samaritan and convincing Nicole against pursuing The App. Mossi however believes Nicole might be a challenge to them. Bembe suggests he has ways of making people switch allegiances. They agree on implementing all possible measures and review them where need be.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Abuse of power or office and misappropriation of funds

Mossi abuses power. He is a Mayor who has gangsters. He has a black man in charge of the Red Eagle Gang (P. 45).

Harvester says that he is accused of many crimes including abuse of office. His latest accusation was banning the use of apps and directing the ICT officer to take steps against suspect innovations (P. 38-39).

Mossi claims he is accused of many crimes, particularly municipal capture (P. 39).

Mossi orders that all the newspapers I ordered the purchase of all the newspaper the other week using public funds following your instructions (P. 40).

Mossi tells Bembe to “Make the municipal headquarters a no go zone for them tomorrow, get the ghettoboyz and some undercover police to support your youth network pay the youths, buy tyres, mattresses, socks and polythene papers. I want all these to be burnt in every corner of town (P. 45).”

Bembe suggests that they get someone to steal the school generator and pin in on Nicole then tell the judge to put her in (P. 47).

2.     Police Brutality

Inspector Bembe displays ruthlessness. He says that he has a way of making people switch allegiances on people like Nicole in case they do (P. 45).

3.     Corruption and collision

Mossi says the courts and undependable. He says, I find our court undependable; they follow the money, more often than they follow justice (P. 44).

Bembe claims he is blamed of corruption. He says, “I am accused of countless cases of corruption, violation of human rights, drug peddling and extortion (P. 38).”

 Harvester shares, “The police officers collect money from motorists, give the municipal leaders and keep for themselves (P. 41).”

Mossi claims that he is accused of many crimes, particularly municipal capture (P. 39).

4.     Greed and Hypocrisy

Ramdaye has ruined the lives of countless people through his greed (P. 42).”

Mossi instructs Bembe to deny ever having rejected to reward the student’s app at Sagrada Secondary school. He should indicate before the public that they are finalizing arrangements to give the prize and also mainstream the use of the app in the running of the municipality to enhance transparency and accountability.

 He also tells Harvester to give the impression that the municipal council is running normally. They should as well hype the message that the allegations on the app and newspapers are lies manufactured by political opportunists and election losers (P. 43).

5.     Betrayal and blackmail

 The deputy to the Mayor and Ted are said to be mobilizing members of the chambers to open a debate that will result in a vote of no confidence against the mayor (P. 44).

Bembe tells Harvester they should get some information on Justice Jaden and have it uploaded if he refuses to comply (P. 48).

6.     Egocentrism and selfishness

Ted, The deputy to the Mayor, Mossi and all other leaders of the Municipality are quite selfish that when they sense trouble they fight to protect themselves and not the rest of their allies in corruption, misuse of power and abuse of office.

7.       Impunity, Cruelty and use of militia groups

Bembe suggests that they get someone to steal the school generator and pin in on Nicole then tells the judge to put her in (P. 47).

There is the Ghettoboyz which is controlled by Bembe and The Red Eagle which is controlled by Mossi (P. 45).

8.     Role of Media

Harvester and Mossi suggests that they assign the media people to dig up damaging information about Hon Basdeo (P. 48).

Bembe too suggests that they seek information on Jaden then upload on the Samaritan (P. 48).

Language Use and Stylistic devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Metaphor

Bembe also talks about Basdeo as, “There porcupine went straight to the bank (P. 39).”

Bembe refers to Ramdaye as, “That dinosaur called Ramdaye (P. 42).”

b.    Hyperbole

Bembe tells Mossi, “You lost a tooth during a meeting in the boardroom (P. 40).”

Mossi refers to Basdeo as a greedy person hence he says, “The porcupine can do anything to acquire power even if it is selling her own mother (P.40)”

2.     Idiomatic Expressions

Harvester tells Mossi that Hon Basdeo should get, a dose of his own medicine (P. 48).

Mossi says they should, “Put our best foot forward (P. 48).”

3.     Irony

 It is ironical that all the leaders here are fighting and focusing on protecting their best interest when they should be safeguarding the safety of the citizens and the council.

 Mossi says he is protecting their public interest and should put their best food forward when they are actually ruining it (P. 48).

 Mossi refers to Nicole as an enemy of the progress of the Municipality when ironically she is focusing to help the society (P. 46-47).

4.      Saying

 Mossi says that, “We will have killed two birds with one stone (P. 47)”

Portrayal of Characters and Characterisation

1.     Mossi

a.     Insensitive

When Bembe talks of Sugar levels rising he suggests that he takes some more salts (P. 38).

b.    Ignorant and Uninformed

He does not understand what is meant by municipal capture (P. 39). He doesn’t even understand cyber bullying and how it functions.

c.      Ruthless and violent

He operates with gangsters. For instance, he has a black man who heads the Red Eagle Gang. He wants the gang to burn tyres in every corner of the Maracas. He says that he leaves thunder and smoke in his wake (P. 45-46).

d.    Corrupt

Mossi claims that he is accused of many crimes, particularly municipal capture (P. 39).

e.      Hypocritical

Mossi instructs Bembe that they should deny ever having rejected to reward the student’s app at Sagrada Secondary school. He should indicate before the public that they are finalizing arrangements to give the prize and also mainstream the use of the app in the running of the municipality to enhance transparency and accountability.

f.       Treacherous

The deputy to the Mayor and Ted are said to be mobilizing members of the chambers to open a debate that will result in a vote of no confidence against the mayor (P. 44).

 Role of Mossi

He brings out themes of intimidation, blackmail, and corruption.

 His plan to attack the opponent group builds the plot.

We see irony, satire, and foreshadow through his actions.

 He builds characters such as Nicole and Bembe.

2.     Bembe

a.     Fearful and Pessimistic

He sees himself dead just because of the accusations (P. 38).

 Bembe tells the Mayor there is a likelihood of his untimely death (P. 37).

b.    Abusive

He is full of insults. He calls Ramdaye a dinosaur (P. 42).

Bembe suggests that they get someone to steal the school generator and pin in on Nicole then tell the judge to put her in (P. 47).

3.     Harvester

a.     Defensive

He defends himself before Mossi that he is being accused of many crimes of abuse of office. He wonders even where people are getting such classified information (P. 38).

b.    Schemer

He says that they should scheme carefully. He further states that Discretion is the better part of valor (P.44).

c.       Cautious

He says that they should scheme carefully. He further states that Discretion is the better part of valor (P.44).

Role of Bembe

 He builds Mossi’s character traits through their conversation.

 He brings out aspects of blackmail and corruption.

 He also exposes styles of irony, satire, and metaphors.

Act 2 Scene 1- Fear

The following morning around eight, at the Sagrada Secondary School, Nicole is visited by Alvita and Montano in her office. They are afraid that the Mayor gave Nicole an ultimatum to stop the play The Samaritan. He fears that the Samaritan might get her into trouble. Nicole assures them that everything will be alright. Nicole reminds the students of the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. She tells them that despite the hostilities between the Jews and the Samaritans the ‘man’ in the parable is treated with compassion and taken to a safe place. She trusts the Samaritan App is an excellent platform that gives every person an opportunity to speak out against wrong doing and to shave ideas that will make life better. She encourages them that everyone must all take responsibility for the progress of their municipality to improve individual lives.

Alvita says the App will not help as the leaders will not allow it. Nicole assures them that The Samaritan will change the history of the municipality.  Montano says that Ms. Nicole may be in danger because they heard what The Mayor said.  Alvita says that The Samaritan has been all over the newspapers, radio and TV channels for over two months and has grown so big and it is no longer suitable for them. Nicole criticizes the life of the leaders that the salaries they earn are known and cannot afford flaunty lifestyle, yet the leaders own big vehicles, huge houses and have plenty of money (P.53). She advises the students to stand firm with The App and demand that the leaders do things right. She urges them to pursue the App. Nicole’s mobile phone rings, she says that the principal wants to see her , hence she would see them later. 

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Determination and Resilience

Nicole insists that the Mayor cannot make her chicken out by stopping the Samaritan App. She assures the students to continue with the app and says, “sometimes it is good to stand out … for a better tomorrow for all of us (P. 52).”

Nicole tells the students that they should stand firm with the App and they should demand that the leaders do the right instead of being afraid and be discouraged (P. 53).

2.     Hypocrisy

Nicole says that the people in the municipality are like the Jewish man in many ways. They are beaten, stripped, robbed and left for the dead, but the leaders and public officials cannot come to their aid. They only talk about pursuing public interest without ever being genuinely committed to it (P. 51).

In reference to the biblical allusion, it is shown that a priest was hypocritical because he passed by saw the injured man lying by the roadside, even though he is a religious man he did not help the injured man (P. 50).

3.     Fear

Montano says that they fear the app will get Nicole into trouble. The students fear that Nicole will soon be in trouble in case she pursues the Samaritan App after the Mayor gave an ultimatum (P. 49).

 Nicole tells the students not to be afraid about the leaders and instead make them do what is right (P. 53)

4.      Love and Devotion

Alvita and Montano love and are loyal to their teacher and that is why they are worried and concerned about her wellbeing. Montano tells Nicole The Mayor gave her an ultimatum during the closing day the previous year, therefore they fear The Samaritan might get her into trouble (P. 49).

Alvita tells Nicole that in case they transfer her from the school they would follow her to wherever she goes (P. 52). This shows that they are affectionate about her.

5.     Role of the youth in the society

Alvita and Montano create The Samaritan App which is a good platform to put on the spotlight the rogue leaders. Nicole believes that the App will help and should not be killed (P. 53).

Nicole assures Alvita and Montano that The Samaritan will change the course of history in the municipality (P. 52).

 Nicole reminds the two students to stand firm and youths and remind the leaders about their duties (P.53).

6.     Selflessness

Nicole is optimistic of the platform ‘The Samaritan App’ since it will give each one of us an opportunity to speak against the wrong doing and to share ideas that will make life better for all of them she points out that if they only care about themselves then the municipality will not prosper (P. 52).

She emphasizes that they must do the right things in the right way for the progress of the municipality (P. 52).

7.     Optimism/ Hope

Even though Montano and Alvita are apprehensive about possible danger of The Samaritan App resulting from recent ultimatum the Mayor gave  their teacher, Nicole tells the students not to worry because everything will be well (P.50).

Nicole is confident that The Samaritan will bring a better tomorrow. She tells her students that she is sure The Samaritan will change the course of history in the Municipality (P.52).

Nicole also hopes that the students should be encouraged or not fear pursuing the project of the Samaritan App, because they will be finally successful (P.53).

8.     Technology

The presence of the Samaritan App and the discussion revolving around it gives the aspect of technology.

9.     Role of the Media

The Samaritan has been all over the TV channels, newspapers, and radio over   two months (P. 52).

10.                         Corruption, egocentrism and selfishness

Nicole finds irony in the life of the leaders. Even though the salaries their leaders are paid cannot afford quite a flashy life, the leaders have flaunty lifestyle, they own big vehicles, huge houses and have plenty of money (P.53).

Nicole says the Municipality is like the Jewish man in many ways (P.51).

Language Use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Vivid Description

The stage directions at the beginning of the scene are quite detailed. They indicate Nicole as sitting in her spacious room that contained an oak table. The table has three drawers on each side of her seat. The table has two office chairs that face each other on the front of it. The table is arranged quite neatly and books are on the left-hand side whereas the left-hand side has a pen and a note book. In the middle, is a laptop. (P. 49)

b.    Simile

 Nicole says the Municipality is like the Jewish man in many ways (P.51).

The leaders are also like the Priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan (P. 51).

c.      Personification

 This App must not be killed (P. 53).

d.    Symbolism

The shepherd have turned against the sheep in which the shepherd are the leaders at the Marcas Municipality whereas the sheep and citizens (P.51)

2.     Foreshadow

Montano thinks that the Samaritan might get Nicole in trouble and later in the play, it breeds trouble for her (P. 49). He still emphasizes on the impending danger that Nicole may face and that is what we witness later in the play (P.52).

3.     Flashback

Montano recalls the ultimatum the Mayor gave to her during the previous year on closing day at school while warning her of the impending danger (P.49).

4.     Irony

Montano finds it ironical that the leaders would reject The Samaritan when it is something good for the people (P. 50).

 It is also ironical that the leaders whom citizens entrust power and expect would help them fail to come to their aid. Nicole tells Montano the irony in their leaders who talk about public interest and they miss to act (P. 51).

Nicole finds irony in the life of the leaders. Even though the salaries their leaders are paid cannot afford quite a flashy life, the leaders have flaunty lifestyle, they own big vehicles, huge houses and have plenty of money (P.53).

 It is ironical that the religious priest and the Levite who hold same Christian ideologies with the Jewish man did not help him, yet The Samaritan man with a different religious background helped him and took him to a safe place (P. 50-51).

5.     Biblical Allusion

 Nicole explains why people reject The Samaritan by referring to the Luke 10:25-37 in the biblical story of the Good Samaritan who saved a Jew despite the hostility that existed amongst them and treated a robbed man compassionately, dressed his wounds and took him to a safe place. She reveals that a priest and a Levite had seen the injured man who lay helplessly, but they had ignored him and gone their way (P. 50-51).

Nicole also brings the aspect of being one another’s keeper who takes care of one another as indicated in the bible Genesis 4:1-3 (P. 51).

6.     A story within a story

The story of the Good Samaritan is a story within a story aimed to bring out the irony in the society and show that leaders are negligent of the duties endowed to them by the citizens (P.50-51).

7.     Idiomatic expression

Nicole uses the word chicken out– fear (P.52).

 Alvita says we smell trouble– we suspect issues (P. 50).

8.     Rhetorical questions

 Montano asks “Why would the leaders reject what is good for the people? (P.50)” the question invites the audience to see the satirical nature of leadership in this play.

Alvita asks “Could they transfer you from our school? (P.52)” This is to show the concern they have about their teacher.

Nicole asks “So where do they get money? (P. 53)” This shows the corrupt nature of the leaders.

Character Portrayal and characterization

1.     Alvita and Montano

a.     Fearful and timid

 Alvita and Montano are afraid that Nicole might be in danger (P. 50).

Alvita is looking apprehensive. She says they are worried over her (P.49). Similarly, Montano tells Nicole that the app will get their teacher into trouble (P. 49)

b.    Caring and concerned

Alvita and Montano are concerned about Nicole their teacher, hence they visit her and warn her about the possible trouble that The Samaritan App might have on her (P.48-49).

• Passionate and loyal

The act of visiting Nicole over the holiday to warn her on the trouble that she might experience is an act of love (P. 52). 

The students promise to follow Nicole in case she transfers from their school (P. 52).

 Role of the students (Alvita and Nicole)

They build the plot of the story. When they visit Nicole and talk about their fears and anxieties over their teacher and prepare her for a harsh time, we wait for such a moment.

 They also help build up Nicole as a determined, optimistic, advisory and knowledgeable character.

 They build flashback and foreshadow when they refer to the ultimatum the Mayor made and the possible trouble Nicole may encounter in the text.

2.     Nicole

a.     Daring, brave and courageous

Even as Montano and Alvita tell her to stop pursuing The Samaritan App due to the possible risk it will put her through, she says she is not worried about what the leaders will do because the App is something good (P.52).

She still assures her students that they should be there for one another and act right to improve individual lives (P.52).

 She also says that when striving to improve lives, she cannot afford to chicken out at every obstacle and threat in her life (P.52).

b.    Selfless and idealistic

She tells her students that to improve individual lives and make the Municipality prosper; one must care about others and not just oneself. It is necessary that one stands for another and acts right or take responsibility for the progress to be realized (P.52).

c.      Firm and Determined

 She is determined to pursue the success of The Samaritan App despite the trouble it might cause to her (P.52).

d.    Realistic or pragmatic

She understands that there are times when one should stand for a cause that can bring a better tomorrow for everyone (P.52).

e.       Optimistic or hopeful and visionary

Nicole strives to improve her life (P.52)

Despite Montano and Alvita being anxious and worried about the possible danger of The Samaritan App resulting from recent ultimatum the Mayor gave  their teacher, Nicole tells the students not to worry because everything will be well (P.50).

Nicole is confident that The Samaritan will bring a better tomorrow. She tells her students that she is sure The Samaritan will change the course of history in the Municipality (P.52).

Nicole also hopes that the students should be encouraged or not fear pursuing the project of the Samaritan App, because they will be finally successful (P.53).

f.      Critical

She believes the leaders cannot have big vehicles, huge houses, and flaunt lifestyle with just their salaries (p.53).

g.     Calm

Even though Montano and Alvita are apprehensive about the Mayor and possible danger of The Samaritan App because of the recent ultimatum the Mayor passed, Nicole tells the students not to worry and that everything will be well (P.50).

h.    Knowledgeable and Informed

She uses the story of the Good Samaritan to explain to the students why leaders will not take the App that is good for the citizens (P.50-51).

i.       Advisory

She encourages her students to pursue the app until it is a success (P.53).

Role of Nicole

Nicole dominates the entire scene hence builds the plot, setting.

 She brings out themes of opportunism and hypocrisy.

 She builds other characters including the leaders as corrupt.

She builds the conflict in the play as everyone is concerned about The App she mentored students to work on.

3.     The Municipal Leaders

a.     Deceitful and hypocritical

 Nicole shares that public official’s talk of interest in citizens without ever being genuinely committed to it (p.51).

b.    Corrupt

Nicole thinks with their salary which everybody knows they cannot afford big cars and houses unless there are four games (P. 53).

 Roles of Leaders

In this scene, leaders are more of stock characters who build Nicole’s characterization and styles such as irony, satire among others.

They also help us see some themes including corruption, bad leadership, and selfishness.

 

Act 2 Scene II- Mayor’s Visit

The school principal, Narine is seated in the boardroom; Shalini, the secretary informs her that Nicole has come to see her. The principal apologises to Nicole for interfering with her schedule and informs her that Mayor Mossi is on his way to see her, possibly to follow her on his directive of stopping the National launch of the Samaritan app. Nicole asks the principal if she has communicated the message from the minister of education on the matter to the Mayor’s office. She says she did send it. The principal says that the App has sent shock waves across the municipality and many leaders and other people are in panic, thus she feels that the App is dangerous and Nicole needs to find a way of shutting it down.

Nicole says that people think she is behind the App’s because she is in charge of innovation and a mentored two students.

The Mayor pays a visit to Nicole to convince her into deleting the damaging information about him on the App. Ms Nicole is adamant and says she doesn’t own the App or have any rights as it was being handled from the national level and she could do nothing about it. The Mayor distances himself from most of the blame and accusations mentioned in The Samaritan. He points out various instances of misappropriation of public resources, embezzlement of funds and the shoddy work done by contractors which is as a result of rogue leadership in the municipality. Nicole reminds him as being guilty for he is for most of the crimes done under his watch as he has not rebuked or sued any of the leaders he claims to be involved in such matters. The Mayor accesses Nicole for being politically motivated and she was being used by politicians to fight him through The Samaritan.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Misappropriation of public funds

The contractors are paid money for quality work, yet they do shoddy work for example the roads are left in very poor conditions like an abandoned battle field where bombs are detonated (P.62).

Mossi reveals to Nicole that many of the people in charge of tenders give to contractors who do shoddy work and misappropriate funds (P. 62-63).

Mossi also says that he is accused of inflating the cost of projects and presiding over shoddy municipal work (P. 62).

Ted, the Municipal secretary for the Department of Health and Environment is said to have eaten the whole hospital (P. 63). He also ensured that companies associated to his relatives and friends won tenders and he conspired with them to steal all the money they and budgeted for the health centers (P. 64). They only put on cite offices that looked like cowsheds.

Anyone can build anything as long as they part with a dollar when they see they meet The Secretary to the Municipal Department of Planning and Development, Seymour (P. 65-66).

Mossi says a section of the Municipal leaders demand that he approves a budget of reallocating funds so as to give each council member money to fight court cases that might come up against them (P.68).

2.     Greed and corruption

Mayor attempts to bribe Ms. Nicole and the students to withdraw the Samaritan App since it was exposing a lot of ills about the municipality leaders. He tells her to name the amount she needs.

Seymour is corrupt; he delays in issuing building approvals in Maracas municipality. The Mayor says that one cannot get a building approval unless one parts with some dollars.

Hon. Ted embezzles funds the Mayor accuses him of eating the whole hospital; he refers to him as “the bat”. He does so by giving tenders to his relatives and friends. They only put up some site offices that look like cowshed.

Seymour bribed people to get into office hence they voted him unanimously (P 67). He also bought a degree certificate downtown so that he can vie for leadership (P. 67)

Anyone can build anything as long as they part with a dollar when they see they meet The Secretary to the Municipal Department of Planning and Development, Seymour (P. 65-66). Seymour does not care whether people adhere to proper building standards (P.66).

 Nicole tells the Mayor that the leaders who are criminal should be judges in court and Mossi says judges are worse than temple robbers because they are part of the syndicate involved in corruption (P.67).

All the Municipal leaders eat the whole loaf together with the wrapping where possible and even the vendor (P.69).

Mossi says Hon. Ramdaye’s entire family including, in-laws, outlaws, great grandparents, children and wife are doing all the Municipal projects under Ramdaye’s department (P.69).

Mossi also claims that Justice Ian Jaden has also granted his wife, relatives to conduct business with the municipal (P. 69).

Ramdaye, who is in charge of the construction of roads, does shoddy work yet he is paid well for the job (P.62).

People of Maracas municipality suffer because of the conman ship behaviour portrayed by Ramdaye of printing fake title deeds and selling the same piece of land to different people (P.63).

Hon. Ted also is greedy and selfish when he constructs some site offices that look like cowshed and pockets the rest of the money (P. 64).

Health facilities meant to benefit the community are not constructed and money is pocketed by people like Hon. Ted (P.64).

Seymour does not care whether people adhere to proper building standards (P.66).

 Nicole tells the Mayor that the leaders who are criminal should be judges in court and Mossi says judges are worse than temple robbers because they are part of the syndicate involved in corruption (P.67).

3.     Crime and Lawlessness

Hon. Seymour has a criminal gang ‘Black Swan gang’. The Mayor fears Seymour because he is very dangerous in town Seymour has a hand in them.

Seymour sells drugs and he is responsible for Narcotics trafficking making children to drop out of school. Some have died and others roam in the streets aimlessly.

 Almost all the leaders are criminals in drug trafficking, murder, and corruption that destroys lives and loots from the people.

4.     Abuse of office, misuse of power and Negligence of duty

The Mayor’s deputy uses his position to ensure that only his companies or those of his relatives win tenders for road construction in the municipality (P.62). The deputy doubles as a municipal secretary for the Department of Physical Infrastructure.

Ted, the Municipal secretary for the Department of Health and Environment is said to have eaten the whole hospital (P. 63). He also ensured that companies associated to his relatives and friends won tenders and he conspired with them to steal all the money they and budgeted for the health centers (P. 64). They only put on cite offices that looked like cowsheds.

People of Maracas municipality suffer because of the conman ship behaviour portrayed by Ramdaye of printing fake title deeds and selling the same piece of land to different people (P.63).

Anyone can build anything as long as they part with a dollar when they see they meet The Secretary to the Municipal Department of Planning and Development, Seymour (P. 65-66). He also delays unnecessarily in issuing building approvals in the municipality and is a self-seeking secretary.

Seymour does not care whether people adhere to proper building standards (P.66).

 Nicole tells the Mayor that the leaders who are criminal should be judges in court and Mossi says judges are worse than temple robbers because they are part of the syndicate involved in corruption (P.67).

Mossi says Hon. Ramdaye’s entire family including, in-laws, outlaws, great grandparents, children and wife are doing all the Municipal projects under Ramdaye’s department (P.69).

 Mossi also claims that Justice Ian Jaden has also granted his wife, relatives to conduct business with the municipal (P. 69).

 Narine tells Mossi she had sent a copy of the letter a month ago, the Mayor says his in-tray is full of letters he because he has always been busy. Given that it is his duty to read every letter daily, it shows that he is not working at all (P.58).

5.     Selfishness / Egocentrism and nepotism

Mossi fears what could happen in case an Earthquake strikes the buildings constructed in the municipality (P.66).

Ted, the Municipal secretary for the Department of Health and Environment is said to have eaten the whole hospital (P. 63). He also ensured that companies associated to his relatives and friends won tenders and he conspired with them to steal all the money they and budgeted for the health centers (P. 64). They only put on cite offices that looked like cowsheds.

People of Maracas municipality suffer because of the conman ship behaviour portrayed by Ramdaye of printing fake title deeds and selling the same piece of land to different people (P.63).

Anyone can build anything as long as they part with a dollar when they see they meet the Secretary to the Municipal Department of Planning and Development, Seymour (P. 65-66). He also delays unnecessarily in issuing building approvals in the municipality and is a self-seeking secretary.

Mossi says a section of the Municipal leaders demand that he approves a budget of reallocating funds so as to give each council member money to fight court cases that might come up against them (P.68).  The reallocation of the budget is meant to cater for their interests.

Mossi says Hon. Ramdaye’s entire family including, in-laws, outlaws, great grandparents, children and wife are doing all the Municipal projects under Ramdaye’s department (P.69).

 Mossi also claims that Justice Ian Jaden has also granted his wife, relatives to conduct business with the municipal (P. 69).

6.     Intimidation and Fear

Mossi fears what could happen in case an Earthquake strikes the buildings constructed in the municipality (P.66).

Seymour is implicated by Mossi as one who cannot be prosecuted because he is dangerous. He has a connection with the mysterious disappearance of people in town. He is also behind the Murderous Black Swan Gang, responsible for shooting and violence (P.66).

 Mossi also threatens Nicole indicating that in case she does not  delete any post in The Samaritan that casts on him in negative light she will learn of who Mossi-oa-Tunya is because he is a Mayor and he will do what she cannot discover(P.73).

7.     Drug peddling and trafficking

Mossi says Seymour sells drugs i.e. Narcotic trafficking hence many children have dropped out of school (P 66-67).

He traffics drugs all over and that has led to the destruction of lives of many young people including his own. Some of them have ended up being cabbage and useless (P.67 and 70).

Seymour’s wife is his own wife is cabbage too.

8.     Blackmail

Mayor Mossi says that a section of the municipal leaders is demanding that he approves a budget reallocation to give each member money to fight court cases that might come up against them. In case he fails to do so, they will pass a vote- of- no confidence in him (P.68).

Mossi also threatens Nicole indicating that in case she does not  delete any post in The Samaritan that casts on him in negative light she will learn of who Mossi-oa-Tunya is because he is a Mayor and he will do what she cannot discover (P.73).

9.     Ignorance

Mossi insinuates that the citizens vote the leaders ignorantly without necessarily considering the leadership qualifications and that is why leaders end up not serving their interests (P.70).

 They vote in leaders such as Seymour and Ted as a result of their opulence, the bribes they give them and how they dress in bling blings, satanic chains and other displays (P.65 and 70-71).

10.                          Escapism

Mossi shifts blame by saying that the real culprit behind every problem in the society in the teaching profession. He says the teachers do not teach the right thing and the products who conduct mess are products on the school system (P 72).

 He blames the judges too for hawking justice (P.69)

Though his the key leader of the Municipal he averts blame to his assistance such as the deputy, Seymour for not doing anything rather than selling drugs (P.70)

He also blames Ted for his nepotism and corrupt ways that eat into the councils’ funds (P.63).

 He generally believes the voters are responsible for the poor leadership because they elected monkeys into the office and when it hollers they need not complain (P.71).

11.                         Education

Kids drop out of school because of drugs (P.67).

Ted is said to have been illiterate and makes no sense on the council floor. He quit school after kindergarten (P.65).

Mossi says Seymour is illiterate and he bought a degree downtown to qualify for a political position (P.65).

Mossi blames school system for the bad grade of leaders that Maracas has since all the people go through the hands of teachers before coming to the society (P.72)

She reports that she takes her work seriously and focuses on the mission of the school found in providing quality education to the children (P.56).

Language Use and Stylistic devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Vivid Description

The scene is introduced by a vivid description of the principal’s boardroom which is a big rectangular room containing of a large ovoid mahogany table and various office seats. There is a table with a pen and a notebook as well as a bottle of water and glass (P.54).

Mossi describes Tedd as having an evil hairstyle, wearing ripped jeans, bangles and necklaces that are satanic (P.65).

Mossi clearly describes how Justice Jaden dresses smartly and wears a solemn look; he walks with confidence and looks fair and just (P.69).

b.     Metaphor

Mossi calls Ted the bat (P.64).

Mossi shares that any child who has dropped out of school has become a cabbage (P.67).

Mossi says that by electing a howler monkey they should not complain when it starts howling because they now want to read in silence (P.71).’

Mossi also says a computer Programme cannot stop a monkey from eating bananas (P.71).

c.      Similes

Mossi described roads as looking like part of an abandoned battlefield (P.62).

Mossi claims that his deputy gazes into empty spaces like an evil spirit waiting for fake title deeds to be printed (P.63).

Mossi argues that his deputy resembled the sloth (P.63).

Moss refers to Ted like the swine he is while referring to Ted (P.64).

Mossi indicates that Ted put up some site offices that look like cowsheds (p.64).

Mossi testifies, ‘Ted makes a whole Chamber smell like a nightclub and brewery (P.65).’

Mossi claims that Seymour has fake papers in law and he knows as much law as does the goat and that he has a goatee just like the he goat that he is (P.67).

Mossi shares that Jaden hawks justice like cabbages (P.69)

 Mossi also says that Jaden’s looks are just as we see the flowers on the surface of a fresh grave (P.69).

d.    Personification

 Mossi says that The Samaritan App is damaging his reputation (P.73)

e.      Hyperbole

Moss says that roads resemble the battlefield where bombs were detonated (P.62).

Mossi calls Ted a bat and a sinister creature that can’t see and sleeps upside down (P.64).

Mossi says that Hon. Ted King must have quit schooling after kindergarten and that he sleeps in a drum of illicit liquor (P.65).

Mossi also accuses the leaders for eating the whole loaf together with the wrapping and even the vendor (P.69).

All the Municipal leaders eat the whole loaf together with the wrapping where possible and even the vendor (P.69).

Mossi says that Justice Jaden hawks justices like cabbages (P.69).

Mossi claims that Hon. Seymour hides behind satanic dark glasses that threaten everyone and everything including his own shadow and he can also drive the devil out of hell (P.70).

2.     Allusion

a.     Biblical Allusion

 Mossi says he is being crucified for mistakes of the people (P.61).

Mossi says the Son of Man cursed the legal professionals a biblical allusion to Jesus (p.70).

b.    Literal allusion

Mossi says that the Samaritan App presents the cock and bull story which is a mere excuse or implausible explanation that is unbelievable (P.73)

3.     Idiomatic expressions

Mossi refers to the leaders as eating, A loaf of bread-all the funds (P.69).

 Nicole says the buck stops with you-Mossi is responsible of everything and should not blame it on anybody else (p.62).

4.     Rhetorical Question

Mossi asks Nicole “Can you even dare mention that? Haven’t you heard how dangerous he is? (P.66).”

5.     Idiophones

 Shss (P.57 and 67).

6.     Onomatopoeia

Whining (P.71).

 Slamming (P.73)

7.     Euphemism

 Seed capital used by Mossi to mean bribe (P.61).

8.     Irony

Narine, the school principal thinks what Nicole is doing is good, yet she advices her not to get involved in something that will derail them from the greater good in line with the mission of the school (P.56).

Nicole finds it ironical that Mossi, who should be fighting corruption, is offering her a bribe so that she stops pursuing The Samaritan App meant to save the Municipality (P.59).

It is ironical that Mossi campaigned for Ted King and now he talks so ill of him (P.65-71).

Mossi is the Mayor yet he testifies that he can’t change anything in the Municipality (P.68).

It is ironical that most leaders in the Municipality have their families conducting most projects in the Council (p.69).

It is ironical for Justice Jaden to hawk justice (P.69).

Narine tells Mossi she had sent a copy of the letter a month ago, the Mayor says his in-tray is full of letters because he has always been busy. Given that it is his duty to read every letter daily, it shows that he is not working at all (P.58).

It is ironical that the citizens vote in leaders such as Seymour and Ted as a result of their opulence, the bribes they give them and how they dress in bling blings, satanic chains and other displays, yet they should consider the leadership qualification (P.65 and 70-71).

9.      Sarcasm

Nicole applies sarcasm to ask the Mayor to tell her whether he is really responsible for the problems faced in the Municipality (P.63).

Nicole sarcastically asks Mossi whether his deputy must be a disgrace (P.63).

Mossi uses sarcasm to talk about Hon. Ramdaye and how his entire family has invaded the Department of Infrastructure (P.69).

Mossi is sarcastic when referring to Justice Ian Jaden as a man whose true colors are contradictory to his smart nature (P.69).

Mossi sarcastically asks Nicole whether she thinks a computer Programme will stop a monkey from eating bananas (P.71).

Mossi is sarcastic when showing how some leaders lack knowledge and says that Seymour has fake papers in law and he knows as much law as does the goat (p.67).

10.                         Satire

 The act satirizes leaders such as the deputy Mayor, Ted, and Ramdaye by making Mossi reveal how uneducated, corrupt, and selfish the Municipal council officials are.

The scene also satirizes Mossi as a useless leader who averts his responsibilities to other leaders in the municipality when he is the one given the duty to protect the municipal.

The scene also satirizes the jurisdiction for failing to administer justice and engaging in crime.

11.                         Humour

Mossi says that Seymour has fake papers in law and he knows as much law as does the goat (p.67).

He claims that Hon. Seymour hides behind satanic dark glasses that threaten everyone and everything including his own shadow and he can also drive the devil out of hell (P.70).

Mossi says when you elect a monkey into an office you should not complain when it begins to holler (P.71).

12.                        Proverb and wise sayings

Nicole says an elephant that kills a rat is not a hero (P.57).

 Narine says if you dare an elephant into a wrestling match, it will trample you (P.57).

 Character Portrayal and Characterization

1.      Nicole

a.     Ambitious

 The principal says she is ambitious (P.56).

b.    Firm and daring

She dares Mossi regardless of his threats and says the app cannot be done away with at all (P.56).

c.      Sarcastic

She sarcastically refers to Mossi’s arguments to hit him. Nicole sarcastically asks the Mayor to tell her whether he is really responsible for the problems faced in the Municipality (P.63).

Nicole sarcastically asks Mossi whether his deputy must be a disgrace (P.63).

d.    Critical, ideological and liberal-minded

She tells Narine that is it not worth abandoning an ingenious innovation that has great potential of improving the governance of the Municipality to appease a self-seeking political class (P.57).

e.      Frank

Nicole tells Mossi that he is bribing her and yet he is supposed to be fighting corruption (P.61).

f.      Diligent

 Nicole rejects the money Mossi wants him and the students to take and drop the App (P.61).

2.     Mossi

a.     Sarcastic

 He says people should not glorify evil and mediocrity then turn and whine (P.63).

 He is sarcastic when he says Seymour knows as much law as does a he goat (P.67).

Mossi sarcastically says Hon. Ramdaye and his entire family has invaded the Department of Infrastructure (P.69).

Mossi calls Justice Ian Jaden as a man whose true colors are contradictory to his smart nature (P.69).

Mossi questions Nicole whether she thinks a computer Programme will stop a monkey from eating bananas (P.71)

Mossi indicates how some leaders lack knowledge and says that Seymour has fake papers in law and he knows as much law as does the goat (p.67).

b.     Judgmental and accusative

He accuses Hon Basdeo for posting information about him (P. 59).

Mossi says he is being crucified for mistakes of the people (P.61).

He blames the Samaritan App for messing him (P.60).

The Mayor says that roads resemble the battlefield where bombs were detonated (P.62).

Mossi blames the citizens as being responsible for the corrupt nature in the Municipality because they voted people whom they knew could not accomplish anything (P.63).

The Mayor calls Ted a bat and a sinister creature that can’t see and sleeps upside down (P.64).

Mossi reports that Hon. Ted King must have quit schooling after kindergarten and that he sleeps in a drum of illicit liquor (P.65).

He also accuses the leaders for eating the whole loaf together with the wrapping and even the vendor (P.69).

Mossi says that Justice Jaden hawks justice like cabbages (P.69).

The Mayor claims Hon. Seymour hides behind satanic dark glasses that threaten everyone and everything including his own shadow and he can also drive the devil out of hell (P.70)

c.      Hateful and sadistic

 He says he hopes Tedd will die soon (P65).

 Mossi seems to hate everyone he works with. He says all are a disgrace (P.63).

 He seems to enjoy the situation in Seymour’s home including the perpetual drunkardness of his wife and the deterioration of the status of his son (P.70).

d.    Pretentious

 The Mayor pretends to be sorry to Nicole for having sounded hard on her at the beginning of the meeting and later still dictates what she must do or face it (P.59 vs.73).

 Mossi says he is being crucified for mistakes of the people and later says everyone has a mistake (P.61).

e.      Evasive

 He blames everyone else including the voters, the teachers, the school system, the lawyers, his deputy, and other leaders in the municipal for the issues in the Municipal. He is not even aware that the principal wrote him a letter about the APP (P.58).

f.       Abusive

The Mayor says Tedd is a bat and scatterbrain (P.64-65).

 He abuses Seymour as a pitiful human being (P.66).

Mossi claims that Seymour knows as much law as does a he goat (P.67).

g.     Insecure and Suspicious

The Mayor thinks that Hon Basdeo has been posting false information about him

Mossi thinks Nicole is using the app as a political tool.

 He says he is very vulnerable to falsehoods as a leader (P.60).

h.    Persuasive

 He persuades Nicole in all ways so that she lets the project of The Samaritan App be null and void (P.58-70)

i.       Corrupt

 He offers Nicole money so that they drop The Samaritan App (P.61)

 He says he takes a slice or even two or only three (P. 68-69).

j.       Outspoken

 He speaks a lot before Nicole sharing the kind of leaders he has in his office(p.).

k.    Dictatorial and bossy

He tells Nicole to ensure the app is no longer working (p.61)

Mossi demands that Nicole deletes all the information that deforms him (P.60)

He tells Nicole top do away with the app of face his wrath (p.73).

l.       Humorous

His description of fellow council leaders is humorous. For example, Mossi says that Seymour has fake papers in law and he knows as much law as does the goat (p.67).

He claims that Hon. Seymour hides behind satanic dark glasses that threaten everyone and everything including his own shadow and he can also drive the devil out of hell (P.70).

Mossi says when you elect a monkey into an office you should not complain when it begins to holler (P.71).

m.  Hopeless

 He says The Samaritan can’t help to redeem the nature of evil in the Municipality it will only worsen it (P.70). He says it is basically beyond redemption to blame people for their nature (P.70).

n.    Superstitious

Mossi elaborates that the chains, ripped jeans, necklace and bangles that Seymour puts on are satanic. (P.65).

He also claims Seymour’s hairstyle is evil (P.65).

Mossi thinks that Ted is   a man under obeah (P.64).

3.     Narine, the principal

a.     Appreciative

She appreciates that Nicole has been one of the best members of her staff (P. 55).

b.    Frank        

 She tells Nicole the dangers of hanging on to the app.

• Perceptive

She is perceptive enough to know the kind of ambition Nicole has (P.56).

d.     Suspicious, doubtful, and skeptical

She suspects that Nicole’s attachment to the App is more that can meet an eye (P.56)

e.      Fearful and anxious

  She tells Nicole that the matter of the App is dangerous (P.55)

She thinks to get out of the possible danger; Nicole should quit (p.56).

f.      Advisory

Narine, the school principal thinks what Nicole is doing is good, and she advices her not to be involved in something that will derail them from the greater good in line with the mission of the school (P.56).

She advises Nicole to put the matter of The Samaritan App at rest (P.56).

g.     Diligent and focused

 She reports that she takes her work seriously and focuses on the mission of the school found in providing quality education to the children (P.56).

h.    Hospitable

 The secretary offers Mossi a drink when he comes to her office (P.58).

i.       Realistic

It is pragmatic to distinguish between politics and the goal of a school (P.57).

j.       Experienced and Cautious

 She says she is a seasoned administrator who knows battles to wage and those to avoid (P.57).

 She also says she has to draw the boundary between the school and politics and so she will not be part of the discussion on the App (P.57).

4.     Hon Seymour

a.     Corrupt

 Mossi accuses him of making sure people part with dollars before he can approve the building plan since he is in charge of the Municipal department of Planning and Development (P.66).

He does not care later what kind of building you have (P.66).

 He never studied law, but Mossi asserts that he went downtown and got a degree certificate in law (P.67).

Mossi claims that his deputy ensures only his companies or those of his relatives win tenders for road construction in the Municipality (P.62).

He also misappropriates funds in the construction department (P.63).

 Mossi says his deputy has conned almost everyone in town and that he always waits for printing of fake title deeds (P.63).

b.    Violent and intimidating

Mossi says Seymour is in charge of the mysterious disappearance of people in town (p.66)

 He has a murderous Black Swan gang that shoots and violently attacks people in town (P.66).

Mossi says Seymour threatens everyone behind his satanic dark glasses (P.70).

c.      Greedy

Mossi says his deputy has conned almost everyone in town and that he always waits for printing of fake title deeds (P.63).

d.    Evil

 Mossi says he is evil (P.63)

5.     Jaden

a.     Corrupt

 Mossi accuses him of hawking justice (P.69).

6.     Hon Ramdaye

a.      Adulterous

 Mossi says he has many mistresses (P.69).

b.    Corrupt

He also says Ramdaye conducts business in the Municipal council with his people (P.69)

7.     Ted King

a.     Biased and egocentric

 Ted is said to be ensuring that companies associated with his relatives and friends win their tenders (P.64).

b.    Corrupt

He conspires with friends and steals all the money they had budgeted for the health centers and put site officers (P.64).

 He earned his livelihood by pirating other people’s music and making noise for everyone (P.65).

Act 2 Scene III- The Political Strategy

The same day, Thursday late in the afternoon, the Mayor had Ms. Nicole at Sagrada secondary school, the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Ramdaye, Hon. Seymour and Hon. Ted hold their meeting at the Madingo Golf Club to discuss the ousting of Mayor Mossi.

Ramdaye, Ted and Seymour meet to re-strategies how they are going to oust Mayor Mossi from power. They opt to recruit more members to support them.  The members are of different opinion, some with independent minds and cannot be swayed by allegations. Another group is the  political entrepreneurs who want to side with the one who will pay them well, and the last group is the indecisive ones who resort to support the opposition chief Hon. Basdeo so that they can gain more numbers to have a vote -of- no- confidence against the Mayor.

Basdeo argues out that in order to succeed in removing Mossi from power they need to alienate him from the people and set the people against him.

He comes up with several lies that could incite the people against the Mayor.

First the marginalization of other communities is one of the strategies used. The lie is that Mossi had earmarked all the money allocated to the development of the wards occupied by Mossi’s ethnic group members. Another lie used against him was to claim that Mossi’s people have a smell resembling the battle while other people don’t smell.

Basdeo suggests that they should convene a huge political rally, and Hon. Ted is to distribute the topics to the councilors and older men who are on their side so that they can prepare adequately for the speech. The rally is to be held on Wednesday.

Issues and Thematic Concerns       

1.     Conflict

There is a conflict between the Mayor and Ramdaye and his group. Ramdaye mobilizes councillors to oust out Mossi from power. The Mayor organises and orders criminals to cause violence that will prevent such a meeting from happening and keeps his position (P. 74).

2.     Determination

Hon, Ramdaye, Hon. Seymour and Hon. Ted are determined to remove the Mayor Mossi from power by mobilising the entire municipal Council to pass the vote – of-no confidence motion against him (P. 75).

The whole team goes ahead and talks to their rivals opposition chief, Hon Basdeo to join them (P. 80).

3.     Role of Media

Basdeo is opportunistic and hopes to use the media networks and have the rally popularised and that their alliance unbeatable (P. 88).

4.     Violence

The group that attacks Seymour, Ramdaye, and Ted burnt mattresses, tyres, appears sacks and team gas smoke (P.75).

 The hooligans who attacked them almost hit Ted with a stone, hence they had to run so fast (P.74).

Mossi-oa-Tunya is known to be the smoke that thunders (P.75).

5.     Corruption and selfishness

Hon. Ted says political entrepreneurs are very keen in making money. They vote with the stomach so as to speak. That means they will vote the side that gives more money (P. 77).

Hon. Ted also says that they need to pursue or buy a few members in order to meet the two thirds majority required to remove the Mayor in office (P. 80).

6.     Nepotism

Basdeo says that all the municipal funds are meant to develop the wards occupied by members of Mossi’s ethnic groups (P.82).

7.     Propaganda and Deceit

 Basdeo testifies that politics is not about the truth, instead they have to evoke the emotions of the people (P.82).

Basdeo says they should be creative and divide Mayor Mossi’s ethnic groups from other races by emphasizing the difference. They should claim they have a smell of a beetle unlike other people who do not. They also believe in Obeah! (p.84).

They aim to set people against Mossi  by finding speakers who are articulate in inciting people  and will indicate how much Mossi is not development minded. They will mention his failure to build roads too (P.81-82).

Language Use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Vivid description

The scene starts at Madingo Golf Club in a Sky Room which looks exactly like the Jungle Room and it is well furnished and arranged. The Deputy Mayor, Hon. Ramdaye, Hon. Seymour, and Hon. Ted are standing around the tables on which are bottles of God White and Dark Rum (P.74).

b.    Personification

That’s a fat lie (P.86).

c.      Metaphor

Ted says “They are headless chicken (P.77).”

d.    Simile

 You whizzed past me like an express train (P.75)

 It was like a military operation (P.75)

Ramdaye says “They are like headless chicken (P.77).

2.     Hyperbole

Ted says he is on phone almost all night but there is little support forthcoming (P.76).

Ted comments of ethnic group as waiting for the leader to make decisions to go to pee for them (P.77).

3.     Allegory

There is the reference to Mossi-oa- Tunya as the smoke that thunders (P.75).

Hon. Yongrui is also called Mr. Developer (P.78).

4.     Idiophones

 Aaa, aah, aah aah (P.74).

 Sssh (P.78)

5.     Story within a story

 Basdeo talks of Shang Ramas who went to fetch water and found two girls drawing water at the river hence married and settled them. One wife became the mother of the Indo while the other was the mother to the oriental people (P.83).

6.     Irony

Ted says he is on phone almost all night, yet there is little support forthcoming (P.76)

Ted wonders they call Hon. Ferreira Key when he can hardly commit to anything and can never make up his mind (P.76).

Ted finds irony in Basdeo’s behaviour, a man full of deceit and cunning behaviour (P.84).

7.     Humour

Ted expresses humour in the kind of stone that almost hit his head (P.74).

 Seymour expresses shock that Ted could run so first and this is a source for laughter (P.75).

Ted says there is always a winner even in a beauty contest of monkeys (P.79).

8.     Mother tongue/Direct translation

  Ted says many wise things and did strange things on phone (P.79).

Ted says He said that what will be, will be (P.76).

They vote with the stomach, so to speak. That means they will vote the side that gives more money (P.77)

9.     Flashback

 The scene starts with Ramdaye recalling the violent disruption of their recent meeting (P.74).

10.                         Juxtaposition

 Ted recalls the recent violence and says “Sadly, we never anticipated this. I think The Mayor is a good organizer (P.75).”

Ramdaye suggests that Mr. Key cannot decide what and how much to eat (P.77).

11.                         Idiomatic expressions

It missed my head by the thickness of a pig’s bristle-almost hit him (P.74).

There is more than meets an eye-it has a deeper or different surface meaning (P.75).

Ted says Ferreira has never seen a fence on which he can’t sit (P.76).

He also says Mr. Key kept talking in circles-repeating self (P.76)

 Money changes hands-bribery (p.77).

 His political star has been rising steadily-a successful politician (P.77).

That man is now crossing the red line-risking (P.85).

12.                         Rhetorical questions

Ted asks “We live only once, don’t we? (P.84)”

Seymour asks questions such as “Do I look like an errand boy to you? Have you forgotten I will soon be your boss? (P.82).”

13.                         Elipsis

 Basdeo says, Just a story … eh… like… (P.83).

Character Portrayal and Characterization

1.     Ramdaye

a.     Inquisitive

 He asks a lot of questions when talking to Ted (p.76).

b.    Abusive

 He says there are headless among the chamber members (P.77).

c.      Informed

 He says he got information that Mayor Mossi is consulting his lawyers on arrest or prosecution (P.85)

d.    Evil

 He says devil take the soul of Ted (P.79).

2.     Key or Hon Ferreira

1.  Unreliable

He has not taken any position in politics (P.76).

b.    Indifferent

 Ramdaye says Mr. Key cannot make up his mind which door to open (P.76).

3.     Ted

a.     Outspoken, humorous, sarcastic and realistic

 He says that in a beauty contest of monkeys, there is always a winner (P.79).

b.    Sensible

 He says that Ted should grow up instead of celebrating when they should be laying strategies (P. 86).

c.      Corrupt

 He plans to buy a few members so that he meets the two thirds majority that can offer him mayor ship (P.80).

d.    Judgmental

 Ted believes there are people in the chamber who have brains but they do not use them (P.77)

e.      Skeptical and Doubtful

Ted doubts that those who attacked were hooligans (P.75).

f.      Critical

He thinks the people who attacked them recently were not hooligans because they moved so fast and their organization was intense (P.75).

4.     Seymour

a.     Arrogant and proud

Seymour says he is not an errand boy but he will soon be a boss to Ramdaye (P.82).

b.    Abusive

Seymour calls those who attacked hooligans (P.74).

c.       Daring

 He says he dared the hooligans to touch him (P.74).

d.    Adamant

Seymour refused to run away when they were attacked in a rally regardless of the impending danger (P.74).

e.      Deceitful

Ted calls them including Seymour as a master of deceit (P.86).

5.     The attackers

a.     Violent

 They aimed a rock at Ted’s head (P.74).

6.     Basdeo

a.     Sly and cunning

Basdeo plans to build propaganda on Mossi so as to win over the mass (P. 82)

b.    Overconfident

He declares that their alliance is unbeatable (P.86).

• Malicious

 He plans to isolate Mossi in places he has been dominant (P.83).

d.    Judgmental

Basdeo says people are quite gullible and they will believe anything he says (P.83).

e.      Greedy

Basdeo longs so much for power that he wants to do anything he can to get it (P.84).

ACT 3 Scene I- Ethics lesson

The scene is at Sagrada secondary school in a classroom, it is on a Friday morning. Nicole comes in to teach the class about the society. They reflect on the previous lesson about solving the problems of human society. In the previous lesson, they focused on the mind and its role in solving the problems. Nicole informs the students that they will focus on the second part of the human heart which is the spirit. The spirit is made up of both the good and bad.

The students learn the relevance rules. They further learn that failure to follow traffic rules results in injuries and death. In comparison, Nicole tells the learners that God created human beings and gave them rules that they need to follow. These are the Ten Commandments that guide human beings. A biblical allusion is made of the fall of Jerusalem and the temple after a long siege by the Babylonians after failing to abide by some of the Ten Commandments like not worshipping other gods, not killing among others.

The students also mention vices such as corruption, murder, robbery and sexual immorality. The municipality faces a lot of challenges’ because of irresponsible leaders. The hospitals do not have drugs because of theft, soliciting of bribes by the police officers and injustices in courts.

The scene ends as Narine calls Nicole out of class so that she can take inspector Bembe to her office for investigation.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Corruption

 Through the rhetorical questions posed by Nicole to her students, we get to know that corruption is rampant in Maracas Municipality.

For example, the hospitals lack drugs because of theft (P.91).

There is soliciting of bribes by the police men/officers before they serve the citizen (P 91).

Alvita indicates how the people of Babylon engaged in corruption (P. 90)

2.     Sexual Immorality

 Through the discussion between Nicole and her students, we get to know that sexual perversion was rampant in their society of the Babylonians and that is why they disobeyed the Creator (P. 90).

3.     Injustices

In this scene we get to know that people in the municipality of Maracas lack justice in courts (P 91).

4.     Murder

Murder committed in the society as mentioned by the 4^th student (P. 90).

 Alvita too shares that the Babylonians killed one another when they disobeyed God (P.91).

5.     Superstition

Some students wear a talisman believing it will help them pass exams (P. 91).

6.     Religion

Nicole makes a reference to the bible while teaching ethics to the students. For instance, she says for anyone to solve problems in the society they should use the good part of the human heart. As students discuss, they realize that there is good and evil spirits and disobedience results in trouble (P.88-89).

 They also have a story within a story in reference to the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple after the siege by the Babylonians in the Ancient Near East. The choice to rob, worship idols, bribe, act dishonestly, and conduct sexual perversions resulted in loss of love (P.90).

 The teacher also shares that the spirit of the Beast is always destructive (P.91).

7.     Education

The scene happens in Sagrada Secondary school.

 Students go through a lesson on ethics with close reference to the bible (p. 88-92).

Language Use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

1. Vivid Description

The stage directions show us where exactly the scene happens, Classroom at Sagrada secondary school is described to bring out the mental picture of the setting…high ceiling, well lit (P. 87).

• Symbolism

The good spirit symbolizes or stands for those that do what is right and just.

The evil spirit represents people who disobey set rules in the society. This evil spirits leads to destruction including the spirit of the Beast representing selfishness, brutality, and destruction (P.91).

2.     Allusion

a.     Biblical Allusion

During the lesson, parts of the Ten Commandments are mentioned during the discussion with focus on obedience. Do not worship other gods, do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery (P. 90).

b.    Literal Allusion

There is reference of Euripides quote of, ‘slow but sure moves the might of the gods’ the famous Greek playwright (P. 91).

3.     Ellipsis

Ellipsis has been used when Nicole says “and we must resist all those being controlled by the spirit of the….? (P.91) she does this so as to allow her students to fill in the missing word.

4.     Imagery

a.     Simile

Disobeying the rules of the Creator is like breaking the rules of those who made roads and vehicles (P.89).

b.    Story within a story

Nicole uses the story of the fall of Jerusalem to enlighten students on the aspects of disobedience and how it can affect people (P.90).

c.      Rhetorical questions

Nicole asks the students a series of questions such as, “Do you think our municipality is undergoing destruction? Are there times we may not find drugs in our hospitals because of theft? Are there cases where a police officer cannot serve you unless you pay a bribe? Are there times you cannot get justice from our law courts? ”

Character Portrayal and Characterization 

1.     Nicole

1. Organized/Orderly

She says she has always asked the students to arrange their desks neatly (P 87).

• Patriotic

Nicole loves her country. She aims to educate her students about both the evil and good spirit. Nicole is at the fore front to fight bad leadership (P 91).

• Fearless and Determined

She fearlessly talks and about the leadership of the municipality. Nicole tells the student that they must fearlessly resist all those that are controlled by the spirit of beast (P91).

• Concerned

Nicole is concerned with her students’ welfare. When she enters the classroom she instructs one student to align her locker and instructs another one to collect a piece of paper on the floor. She cautions them that a disorganized mind cannot learn (P. 87).

e.      Keen and observant

When she enters the classroom she quickly notices that the classroom is a mess instructs one student to align her locker and instructs another one to collect a piece of paper on the floor. She cautions them that a disorganized mind cannot learn (P. 87).

• Optimistic or hopeful

Nicole is optimistic that justice shall be served no matter how long it will take.  She tells the students that the famous Greek playwright Euripides said, “slow but sure moves the might of the gods”, meaning the mills of God grind slowly, grind exceedingly. Indeed, justice will be served, no matter how long it will take (P 92).

g.     Religious

Nicole refers to the bible while teaching ethics to the students. For instance, she solve problems in the society requires a good part of the human heart. As students discuss, they realize that there is good and evil spirits and disobedience results in trouble (P.88-89).

 The teacher also shares that the spirit of the Beast is always destructive (P.91).

h.    Commanding

When she enters the classroom she instructs one student to align her locker and instructs another one to collect a piece of paper on the floor. She cautions them that a disorganized mind cannot learn (P. 87).

2.     Students-Alvita and Montano

1. Obedient

They obey instructions given by their teacher Nicole. She tells one to pick a piece of paper and they do.  Another one is asked to align her desk and she does so.

ACT 3 Scene 2-The Saga

The scene unfolds at Nicoles offices. Nicole is with inspector Bembe at the office. Inspector Bembe tries to intimidate Nicole so that she can give up on the APP Samaritan. She is accused that her mobile phones signal was spotted in a murder scene. Moreover, Bembe accuses her of stealing the school generator. All this is done to scare her; however Nicole does not give up. Nicole is warned against fighting a losing battle.

Bembe accuses her of being malicious by creating the Samaritan APP to bring problems to the leadership of Maracas Municipality. From their conversation, we learn that the APP has been fundamental in exposing poor leadership in the municipality. Nicole is harassed and arrested by the police officers.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Police Brutality and violence

Inspector Bembe and his guards harass Nicole in her office. Bembe rummages through papers on Nicole’s table. When she refuses to move and sit on the floor, the officers drag her on the floor. Nicole is dragged out of her office (P. 95, 98).

Inspector Bembe bangs the table violently with his gun when Nicole rejects their intimidation (P.96).

An officer drags Nicole on the floor as Nicole refuses to move (P. 96).

 Bembe is agitated and hits Nicole on the face with a bunch of papers (P.97).

 Nicole is dragged out of the office when she resists arrest and demands legal representation (P.98).

2.     Corruption and blackmail

The leaders at the municipal council are corrupt. Through Nicole we learn that some have been supplying air to the municipal council instead of goods and services (P. 97).

Bembe implicates Nicole by saying her phone signal was in the place of murder (P. 94).

3.     Abuse/Misuse of Power

The inspector misuses his power as the police general to harass Nicole. He threatens her with false accusations so as to intimidate her (P. 94, 95,97,98). For instance he says, “You should never fight a losing battle (P.93).”

He also says, I understand that to mean you are ready for a fight. And to get us started are you aware the signal of your phone was at one time located at the scene of murder? (P.94). This comes immediately she rejects his insistence that she should stop the app from working.

 Further conversation shows Bembe telling Nicole, “If you insist this will become the darkest day of your career (P. 95).”

Later in the scene Bembe orders the police officers to handcuff Nicole (P. 95).

4.     Environmental Degradation

Through the Samaritan APP we get to know that the people at Maracas have issues with the environment. Nicoles tells Bembe that the Samaritan helps them fight environmental degradation by exposing the culprits (P. 97).

5.     Technology

Nicole tells Bembe to download the Samaritan App because she does not possess it (P.96).

The mentioning of the signal of a phone is also an aspect of the current technology in crime investigations (P.94).

6.     Hypocrisy

Bembe tells Nicole that the matter of The Samaritan is weighty and can destroy lives of many powerful people. They are fighting back and will destroy her life. When in reality he has been sent to attack and intimidate Nicole against making her give in to their demands (P.94).

Language use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Vivid Description

Inspector Bembe’s removes his scepter from the armpit of his left hand, places it on the table, removes his beret and mops the sweat off his brow (P. 93).

b.     Simile

  You must know it is a serious matter, as serious as death (P.96).

You are as stubborn as a mule (P.95).

c.       Metaphor

Bembe tells Nicole, “ As I am saying this is the business of any monkey of a Samaritan (P.97).

2.     Ellipsis

Inspector Bembe does not allow Nicole to complete her statement. Nicole says she has not done anything wrong and…. (P. 93).

Nicole says leaders must not tell us to do the wrong things….. Bembe does not allow her to complete her statement too (P.93).

3.     Rhetorical Questions

Bembe asks Nicole, ‘so you won’t stop it eh?’ (P. 98).

4.     Hyperbole

 Bembe says that, “the App is a grave danger to the society (P.97).”

5.     Irony

It is ironical that the Samaritan App meant to salvage the society from evils conducts including corruption and pollution is considered evil (P.97).

 It is also ironical that Bembe says that have employed competent agencies to handle environmental degradation, yet they are not really doing much apart from molesting people like Nicole who are pointing on the societal ills(P.97).

It is ironical that the police officer wants to arrest Nicole in the name of protecting their lives when in reality he is doing so to protect Mossi (P.94).

6.      Idiom

 Fighting a losing battle (P.94)

Character Portrayal and Characterization

1.     Nicole

a.     Firm and Incorruptible

 She does not allow Inspector Bembe to manipulate her into dropping her quest of fighting for justice for the Macaras people (P. 94).

Nicole confidently tells Bembe that she has an obligation to do what is right and not to be swayed by any leader (P. 94).

She also says her choice of fighting what is right is not negotiable (P. 94).

b.    Informed and knowledgeable

Nicole is aware of her legal rights. While being dragged at the end of scene two she orders the officers to set her free and says she needs legal representation (P. 98).

c.      Confident and courageous

Nicole confidently tells Bembe that she has an obligation to do what is right and not to be swayed by any leader (P. 94).

She also says her choice of fighting what is right is not negotiable (P. 94).

Nicole confidently tells the inspector that she is not guilty of anything and therefore refuses to be intimidated (P. 96).

d.    Daring

Nicoletells the inspector not to fabricate anything against her, and tells Bembe if he insists then that will be his darkest day in his career (P. 95).

 She sharply and firmly tells Bembe not to break the law by accusing her of crimes she has not committed (95).

e.       Assertive

While being dragged at the end of scene two she orders the officers to set her free and says she needs legal representation (P. 98).

2.     Inspector Bembe

a.     Schemer

He schemes the arrest of Nicole. He insinuates that she stole the school generator and once her phones signal was traced to a murder scene. All this is in an effort to intimidate her (P. 94).

b.     Abusive and temperamental

Says he does not need any idiot to help him in his work (P. 96).

He violently bangs the table with his gun.

He repeats angrily when asking Nicole about the Samaritan, “Where is it?(P.96)”

c.       Violent and Intimidating

He fabricates lies including saying that Nicole’s phone signal was in a scene of murder and that she had stolen a generator after failing to convince her otherwise (P.94)

He hits Nicole with a bunch of papers (P. 97).

 He bangs the gun on the table when Nicole says she refuses to be intimidated (P.96).

d.     Hypocritical

He tells Nicole that the matter of The Samaritan is weighty and can destroy lves of many powerful people. They are fighting back and will destroy her life. When in reality he has been sent to attack and intimidate Nicole against making her comply with their demands (P.94).

e.      Ignorant

 He thinks the Samaritan App is a physical object Nicole can keep in her possession and insists to ask for it, “Where is it?(P.96)”

ACT 3 Scene 3- The Judge’s Blackmail

The scene takes place in Madingo Golf club in the Jungle room. The Mayor and inspector Bembe are the first to meet; later on they are joined by Jaden. Bembe informs the Mayor about Nicole’s arrest. The people at Maracas municipal turn up in large numbers to protest her arrest. Judge Jaden dismisses the case therefore Nicole is set free.

The Mayor thanks Bembe for ensuring that the deputy mayor and his supporters did not hold a meeting that was meant to discuss a vote -of -no confidence. Bembe informs him that Hon. Ramdaye and his team has regrouped and plans to meet. Bembe promises the Mayor to handle the matter by involving the Red Eagle and the Ghettoboyz.

The principal judge Jaden joins the Mayor and Bembe. The Mayor informs him about Ramdaye and his team who are planning to impeach him. Mossi says that he is aware that Ramdaye has had some illegal matters. The Mayor plans to take cases against his deputy mayor to court. Mossi requests the judge to rule those cases in favor of him so that he delays their plan to impeach him. Jaden states that he cannot do that because he is a man of considerable learning and very mindful of his professional integrity.

The Mayor and Bembe manipulate the judge, they tell him he is also part of the corruption happening in Maracas municipality. He is reminded of the rodents that are breed in the farm that he owns jointly with his mistress Ivy.  The judge is also told of the case that he ruled in favor of ivy his longstanding mistress. The Mayor gives him conditions that he needs to fulfill. He is told to convict Hon. Basdeo and the Mayor’s deputy, for their involvement in the grain scandal, to jail Hon. Seymour and Hon. Ted for supplying air to the municipal of Maracas.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Militia Groups

The Red Eagle and the Ghettoboyz are mentioned in the scene. Bembe plans to use these two groups to counter Ramdaye’s team the militia group are brutal. Bembe say that the ghettoboyz will be armed with broken glasses, nails, swords, spades, scissors, hoes and daggers (P. 101).

2.     Blackmail

The Mayor informs Jaden the principal judge of Maracas Municipality about his impending impeachment. The Mayor wants Jaden to use his powers as the judge to prosecute deputy Mayor, Ramdaye and his team (P. 102,103,104).

 Jaden turns down the request by stating that he cannot do what they are asking him to do. He further states that, he must make decisions that are within a comfortable threshold of reasonable professional practice.  Mossi and Bembe opt to blackmail Jaden.  They remind him of the prime orchard farm that is owned by his longtime mistress Ivy. The farm produces rodents that are set loose into the rice and corn farms (P. 105).

The prime orchard that the judge is a shareholder is one of the largest corn importers in Maracas municipality (P. 107).

The judge becomes afraid for his name to be dragged in dirt. Jaden is commanded to convict Hon. Basdeo, the deputy Mayor Hon. Ramdaye, to jail Hon. Seymour and Hon. Ted for supplying air to the maracus municipal (P. 112).

Jaden is further instructed to ensure that the process to impeach the Mayor from the office is delayed (P. 103).

3.     Favourism and Abuse of power or office

Favourism is brought out through the prime orchard farm. Ivy uses the influence of the judge to get a contract of killing rodents and other rats that were ravaging the rice and corn farms. The Mayor says that since Jaden is a senior officer, he decided to help his lady (P. 106).

Judge Jaden uses his position to rule cases in favor of prime orchard farm. When members of the municipal rejects Ivy’s contract and insisted on competitive bidding, he advices his mistress to go to court. The matter is brought before him, Jaden rules in favor of Ivy (P. 106).

4.     Injustice and selfishness

Judge Jaden uses his position to rule cases in favor of prime orchard farm. When members of the municipal rejects Ivy’s contract and insisted on competitive bidding, he advices his mistress to go to court. The matter is brought before him, Jaden rules in favor of Ivy (P. 106).

Jaden recalls that all he did aimed to enrich him and he could retire then use his property (P.112).

5.     Corruption and Impunity

Jaden uses his position as the judge to accumulate wealth for himself. He says litigants gave him money to determine cases in their favor. Jaden further states that everybody else was doing it, using the public office to amass a fortune for oneself (P. 112).

 Ivy and Jaden alongside other investors introduce trained rats in the orchard firms and later bring cats to kill them. They expose them and parade people to see what they are doing so that they can be paid. They leave the rats to bear more and fill the farms, eat everything so that they can import grams and sell to the people (P.107).

Mossi and Basdeo says, Jaden knew these rats had an attitude meaning he knew where they came from (P.107).

6.     Fear

 The entire Municipal council group fears that they will be put in jail is they do not comply with the rest in salvaging themselves from possible arrest (P. 99-102).

Jaden too is scared and even says his ulcers are now more painful than ever after hearing about the impending case (P.112).

 Bembe believes it is his final days and shares that his stomach is running (P.99).

Jaden is also haunted at the end of the scene until he testifies that he can feel the smell of rats (P.113).

7.      Materialism

 Jaden and Ivy are interested in money and that is why they target the Prime Orchard Farm project (P.107).

 Jaden testifies that he wanted to have enough wealth which he could enjoy once he retires (112).

Language Use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

a.     Vivid description

Has been used at the start of scene 3 and so there is the description of The Mayor who is seated. On the table are his usual stuff, the hat, three mobile phones and a walking stick.

b.    Simile

 Word of her arrest spread like a bushfire (P100).

Mossi sprung to his feet like one stung by a bee pacing about his room in circles like a madman (101).

It looks like a sewer rat (P.113).

c.       Personification

Rodents have a sense of humour (P.110).

No one has an idea who gave birth to them (P.110).

They can learn to somersault (P.109).

They won’t give you way if you meet in the granary, You are buddies (P.110)

2.     Hyperbole

The rodents and other rat’s ability are exaggerated. The rodents are said to have an attitude.

Mossi tells Jaden that they have countless rodents in the granaries today and he thinks the rodents in the granaries are more than the grains (P 109).

3.     Rhetorical Questions

 The judge uses rhetorical questions … And I am beginning to catch the smell of rats? (P.113).

Bembe asks, A whole judge in this kind of scandal? (P.108).

 Look now what it has turned out to be? (P.112).

4.     Biblical Allusion

It has been used to compare the foolish rich man in the bible with Jaden who accumulated his wealth, in the hope of enjoying after retirement in Luke 12:16-21 (P. 112).

 The invasion of the locusts is a biblical allusion of the locus that invades Egypt in Exodus 10:4 (P. 108)

5.      Foreshadow

 Bembe thinks that these are his last days (P.99).

6.     Litote

Bembe says there was no soul in the whole vicinity of the Municipal Headquarters (P.101)

7.      Saying

When bad luck chooses you as a companion, even a ripe banana can knock off your teeth.

8.     Onomatopoeia

Huff and puff (P.110).

 Springing to his feet (P.101).

9.     Satire

 The whole scene is a mocking of the leadership in the municipal council for protecting themselves instead of the citizens.

 Jaden as a judge is meant to ensure there is justice, however he is  at the center stage of impunity, corruption, and other social evils.

10. Idiophone

Shss (P.102)

11. Flashback

There is a flashback in which the rodents are reared in the Orchard Farm. Most of these rodents are like humans and they could counter human beings (110).

The other flashback is on how Jaden ruled two cases in favour of ivy; one to receive the contract of killing rats and another to bring specially trained cats to kill these rats (P.108-109).

12. Sarcasm

Bembe sarcastically asks questions to Jaden, A whole judge in this kind of scandal? (P.108). Did they introduce specially trained cats (P.110).

 Bembe further mocks Jaden by saying he will rush to the police station and send officers to arrest him and have him record a statement concerning the matter (P.111).

Mossi says this is the image of his Lordship Justice Ian Jaden, the lowest wretch that ever sat on the bench in maracas Municipality (p.111).

Bembe complains about the pronouncement Jaden he made and Mossi indicates how his verdict showed that the rats had an attitude and needed specially trained cats to kill (P.109).

 Mossi is sarcastic when he says, introducing rodents into the farm was an act of great benevolence (P.111).

13.  Elipsis

Jaden says, I can’t. I can more solemnly swear that I didn’t… (P.109).

Mossi says, That is street gossip and… (P.110).

Bembe stammers, He must enforce law, and… eh… eh..(P.111).

Jaden says, Wait, gentlemen … I… what we can do… you still can’t (P.111). He also says You see gentlemen… you know very well those are fabrications… (P.111).

14. Humour

 Rodents have a sense of humour (P.110).

Mossi tells Jaden that they have countless rodents in the granaries today and he thinks the rodents in the granaries are more than the grains (P 109).

Mossi tells Jaden that they have countless rodents in the granaries today and he thinks the rodents in the granaries are more than the grains (P 109).

But tell me, did they introduce those specially trained cats?(P.110)

They won’t give you way if you meet in the granary, You are buddies (P.110)

16. Soliloquy

Jaden remains standing and speaks to himself after the meeting. He reveals why he was involved in this corrupt deal. He intended to amass and retire early then enjoy his wealth. He also shares that everybody was doing it and when litigants gave him money to determine a case in their favour he did so. He also reveals his fear and the emergence of ulcers and well as having been haunted (p.112-113).

 17. Idiom

Mossi tells Jaden, I can’t take the bullet for you (P. 105).

 Bembe says, My situation is out of hand (P.100).

Jaden says, You are playing dirty (P.111).

Character Portrayal and Characterization

1.     Mayor

1. Optimistic

When Bembe says they are doomed, he tells him to never say die. This world belongs to fighters (P 99).

b.    Sarcastic

Mossi says this is the image of his Lordship Justice Ian Jaden, the lowest wretch that ever sat on the bench in maracas Municipality (p.111).

• Manipulative

He manipulates the judge into agreeing to support him (P 105).

2.     Bembe  

1. Schemer

He plans on the counter attack of Ramdaye’s group.

• Coward

His stomach has been running since The Samaritan came to town (P. 99).

He prefers to die than to be a prisoner (P. 99).

c.      Sarcastic

Bembe sarcastically asks questions to Jaden, A whole judge in this kind of scandal? (P.108). Did they introduce specially trained cats (P.110).

 Bembe further mocks Jaden by saying he will rush to the police station and send officers to arrest him and have him record a statement concerning the matter (P.111).

• Jaden
• Organized

He removes his eye glasses and places them on the table methodically (P. 103).

• Keen

He takes his time to reflect on the Mayor’s demand. We are told; he puts on his glasses and closes his eyes thoughtfully (P. 104).

• Corrupt

He is manipulated through intimidation by the Mayor and Bembe until he gives in (P.112).

 He recalls that indeed he had been involved in the project of supplying rats and cats in the Orchard farm so that he has some money just like any other person.

d.     Fearful

Jaden is scared and even says his ulcers are now more painful than ever after hearing about the impending case (P.112).

e.      Selfish

 He amassed a lot of land in a plan together with Ivy and other Municipal council members  so  that he can retire early and enjoy his wealth (P.112).

 

 

ACT 4 Scene 1- The Plan

Tuesday late morning at Mandingo Golf Club, Justice Jaden and Harvester meet. He starts by asking for help concerning the Samaritan since he was accused of countless crimes. He says that he will be crucified for the things the mayor tells him to do. His whole family -wife, children and himself- are fasting and praying trusting God will get him out of this mess. Jaden tells Harvester that Mayor Mossi had instructed the municipal lawyers to file cases against Hon. Ramdaye, Hon Seymour, Hon. Ted and Hon. Basdeo and should be jailed as soon as possible.

Jaden says that he can’t convict Hon Basdeo and Hon Ramdaye since it will be like betraying the two and having benefited from them. He goes ahead and justifies to Harvester that a judge does not operate in a vacuum. The Ethos prevailing in the society influences his thinking and actions and his rulings are in many respects a reflection of the prevailing culture in the society.

Jaden is tormented beyond measure. He says he has been seeing rats and rodents running all over the place even when his eyes are wide open. Furthermore, he was even catching sewer rats that trigger his ulcers.

Jaden goes ahead and accuses the inspector of police who owns the Madingo Golf Club as having spat on his food somewhere in the kitchen.

Jaden advises Harvester to use the fundamental principle of the philosophy of utilitarianism which involves making decisions that will result in the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. He convinces Harvester that mayor Mossi and the quartet are not clean and if they fight them they will lose but if they come together they win, he requests Harvester to reach to the accused, share the idea and hold a meeting as soon as possible in his chambers the following day.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Religion

Harvester claims that he has been doing his Christian duty as a leader to obey Mayor Mossi; he says that he will be crucified for the things the Mayor tells him to do (P. 115).

His whole family- wife, children and himself- are fasting and praying, trusting God to get him out of the mess and that God hasn’t failed the innocent (P.115).

2.     Abuse of Office and Misuse of Power

Mayor Mossi has instructed lawyers acting for the municipal council to file cases against Hon. Ramdaye, Hon. Seymour, Hon. Ted and Hon. Basdeo and jail them as soon as is legally possible (P.115).

Harvester testifies that Hon. Mossi has been behind all the wrongs he has conducted including stealing (P.115).

3.     Corruption

Jaden says that he can’t convict Hon. Basdeo and Hon. Ramdaye since he has benefited from them and had paid him shares of company that the municipal council is suing (P.116).

Jaden reveals that judges do not operate in a vacuum. The ethos prevailing in society influences thinking and action. His ruling are in many respects a reflection of the prevailing culture in society (P.116).

Jaden confesses that rodents are tormenting him beyond measure, he has been seeing rats and other rodents running all over the place even when his eyes are wide open (P.117).

4.     Fear

Harvester fears that the Mayor will do anything to jail the quartet –Ramdaye, Ted, Seymour, and Basdeo (P. 115).

Jaden confesses that the Mayor’s demand to jail the quartet has put him in a dilemma (P.115).

Jaden fears that the inspector of police who owns Madingo Golf Club has spat on his food somewhere in the kitchen (P.117).

5.     Greed and Egocentrism/ Selfishness

Jaden convinces Harvester that if they come together they win against The Samaritan and he should reach to the accused, share the idea and hold a meeting as soon as possible in his chambers the following day (P.118-119).

6.      Betrayal

Both Jaden and Harvester break the law and betray the people of Maracus when they participate in public looting and injustice. They also struggle to cover that up instead of facing the law.

7.     Blasphemy

Jaden calls Harvester, man of god, yet he is involved in a number of crimes.

 Harvester tells Jaden that he is being crucified and all he has done is due to having a duty to obey his leader (P.115). On the contrary, God does calls upon us to be wise and make better judgement.

He also says that his entire family is fasting and praying in trust that God will get him out of the mess for he has not known his God to fail him. In reality he had all the sense to do what was right and failed to do so (P.115).

8.      Conflict

The two parties ruling the Municipal are up in arms and Jaden realizes such a division is working against them (P.118).

 Jaden experiences an internal conflict for he is told by Mossi to ensure he prosecute the quartet or else his crime be exposed. He is entangled in their crime and lacks a better decisions (P.116 ).

Language Use and Stylistic Styles

1.      Imagery

a.       Vivid Description

The scene is indicated to have happened at the Jungle Room in the Madingo Room Club. Jaden, is seated pensively, eyes peering above the rim of his eyeglasses, and hands fiddling with his pen (P.114).

Jaden is portrayed as having removed glasses and dusted them with his handkerchief (P.114).

Jaden is also said to sit down opposite Mr. Harvester. He adjusts his eyeglasses, then peers at Mr. Harvester from above the rim of the glasses (P.115).

b.     Symbolism

 Rodents and rats are the evils done by the Municipality officials (P.117).

2.     Idiom

Jaden says I will get straight to the point (P.114).

 Up in arms (P.118).

3.     Wise saying and proverb

To err is human (P.116).

 If we come together, we win together (P.118).

4.     Rhetorical question

Jaden asks a number of rhetorical questions such as; Why don’t we come together and talk to one another? (P.118).

5.     Satire

It is satirical that the judiciary representative Jaden wills to sacrifice justice in the interest of what he calls the greatest number of people- the Municipal leaders (P.118). He is entrusted with protection of the law, which he sacrifices for his sake.

It is satirical that Harvester whom Jaden calls a man of God is also involved in criminal activities that Mossi dictates him to conduct. He hides behind the belief that he has a Christian duty to obey his leader (P.115).

Satire is also build as Jaden says the ethos prevailing in society influence his thinking and actions. The satire too happens when he says his rulings in many ways reflect the prevailing culture in society (P.116).

6.     Irony

It is ironical that Jaden who is a judge got unwittingly entangled in the safe affair for which Mayor Mossi wants to put Hon. Ramdaye and Mr. Basdeo in jail. He made a ruling that clearly betrayed his bias as an interested party and they paid him shares of a company that the Municipal intends to sue (P.116).

Jaden uses the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number to reunite with Mossi and everyone else in the fight to win a case, yet the greatest number are citizens whose resources should be safeguarded and not the Municipal leaders (P.118).

Harvester finds it ironical that Jaden is entangled in a scandal with Ramdaye, Ted, Seymour and Basdeo (P.116). He is a judge who should protect the public interest, yet he colludes with the politicians in criminal activities.

7.     Onomatopoeia

Fiddling (P.114).

Clasped (P.117).

8.     Hyperbole

 Lately I am even catching the smell of sewer rats. It is awful. It makes me want to throw up and my stomach is beginning to ache (P.117).

Character portrayal and characterization

1.     Jaden

a.      Selfish

 His actions are selfish because they are aimed to benefit him and the Municipal council (P.116).

b.     Corrupt

Mayor Mossi testifies that he unwittingly entangled in the same affair of which Mayor Mossi wants him to put them in jail. He ruled in a way that betrayed his bias as an interested party in the case. He did so and received shares of this company (P.116).

c.      Treacherous

 He betrays the citizens of Maracus by ruling the company’s case in their favor and later receiving shares in that case (P.116).

d.     Philosophical

He reasons on the basis of the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people (P.118).

e.       Suspicious and Insecure

 Jaden thinks the Inspector of Police, Bembe must have spat on his food somewhere in the kitchen and that is why his stomach is paining out of ulcers (P.117).

 Role of Jaden

 Jaden brings out the absurdities in the jurisdiction, corruption, selfishness, and blackmail.

 Jaden also builds styles of irony, satire, and wise saying through his conversation.

The plot of the story moves as a result of Jaden’s intention to meet the two parties from the council and conclude on how they can evade suit.

Jaden builds other characters such as Hon. Ramdaye and Mr. Basdeo.

2.     Harvester

a.      Gullible

He testifies that he never set to do any wrong himself. That he has never stolen intentionally done anything wrong. But he has been obeying his leader foolishly (P.115).

b.     Reliable

 He is entrusted with the role of collaborating with the opposition and the ruling in the Municipal council so that both parties have a mutual agreement. Jaden tells him, ‘I request that you reach out to them with this idea because I know you can (P.118-119).’

Role of Harvester

 As he speaks with Jaden, he helps us see the corrupt and treacherous personality of Jaden.

He also builds the plot as he shows his anxiety about both himself and the Municipal council leaders.

 He brings out stylistic devices such as irony and satire.

ACT 4 Scene 2-Reconciliation

Scene two is set on Wednesday morning at the chambers of the Principal Judge. Basdeo and his company, the Mayor and his company are present. Justice Jaden welcomes everyone in the chambers to plan on how to escape the trouble from Samaritan.

Mossi and Seymour conflict over the real problem and the hitch against freedom. Jaden tells the members that they are all risking prosecution and even as some they argue about budgetary matters they should know the Minister for Local Government is very concerned about what is happening in Maracas. Jaden states that they should file prosecution early to pre-empt any legal actions against them from other quarters in the principle of double jeopardy. For Jaden this is a friendly prosecution in which they should identify the crimes they will be accused of, then get friendly people whom they should pay them to lodge the case against them. That would delay the situation and allow them find a solution.

Ted curiously asks Jaden what may happen to them in the event he dies while the matter is still in court. Surprisingly Mossi tells him that Jaden will outlive him. Jaden continues to give them alternatives. He tells them that they can also halt the Samaritan, and then front someone to lodge a case and argue that the app is infringing on the right to privacy. It is intrusive and divulging information about people’s private lives in public domain. They should claim that the Samaritan, further encourages undue prodding into the person-in the contravention of the law. According to Ted this is the best way to go since it makes perfect sense to him. Harvester claims that it can be challenged based on the right to information. Jaden counters this stating that by the time an appeal is made they will have figured out something else.

Basdeo suggests they talk to Nicole once more but Mossi warns them of  her boldness that makes her not to be threatened by intimidation. Basdeo proposes that they give her a powerful position at the Municipal Council. Jaden says that the matter is beyond Nicole since the public is already outraged. Mossi thinks Nicole is playing a power game in a massive political game of conspiracy. Jaden opines that they need some box of chocolate for Nicole but Mossi fears if she rejects it that will be messy.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Corruption and Selfishness

Corruption prevails in Maracas and is being perpetrated by people like Seymour who believe in misuse of municipality resources to get themselves off the hook. Seymour says that for them to avoid Baneta express prison then they have to get money so as to fight their way out (P.121).

Jaden who is a judge displays his corrupt nature when he proposes that the only way to influence the innovative teacher is by getting the boxes of chocolate as incentives (P.127).

2.     Impunity and Abuse of office

Jaden displays impunity when he gives alternatives on how to influence the case   the municipal administration is facing. He gives examples like getting friendly people to lodge the case against them, and determine the case in their favor or even buy time through endless adjournments (P.124).

Elsewhere he thinks of the principle of double jeopardy. He says that they should initiate prosecutions in order to pre-empt any legal moves against them from other quarters (P.123).

Basdeo reveals that some of them have skeletons in their closets (P.121).

3.     Power

Most leaders of Maracas believe in power. They believe power is everything one needs to have. They even believe that the Innovation Teacher is after power. That one’s she gets a position in the Municipality then definitely she will drop the Samaritan app. Seymour suggests that they offer her a high office since it seems that is what she is after (P. 125-126). Jaden says that they check on her as a team of the municipal leaders and they may have a helpful impression on her (P. 126).

4.     Fear

Bembe is afraid that he will be prosecuted. He says that he is jittery about it (P.123).

Ramdaye too shares the fears that a number of people supporting Nicole speaks volumes (P.125).

5.     Role of Media

Jaden reveals that the Media is relishing their scandals and rot to the public (P. 124-125).

6.     Conflict

The public at arms and they want to put the leaders to account (P.122).

Language Use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Imagery

a.      Vivid description

We are able to see the setting which is the chambers of the principal judge, a large room furnished with a large table in the middle and wooden chair on both sides.  (P.120).

2.     Idiom

Jaden says that a lot of beans have been spilt (P. 122). And wheel of justice must turn.

Put a spotlight on us (P.122).

Have skeletons in their closets (P.121).

 To save our skins (P.120).

Up in arms (P.122).

Gives me the willies (P.124).

Speaks volumes (P.125).

3.     Sayings and Proverbs

Seymour tells Jaden that he lives in a glass house, and he still insists on throwing stones (P. 122).

Never hit a snake if you haven’t seen its head (P.120).

4.     Humor

Ted says that the teacher is a tough woman, but very beautiful! You should look at her legs! (P.126).

5.     Ellipsis

Basdeo says, we may all have some skeletons, but on balance, some of the skeletons are… (P.121).

6.      Rhetorical question

 Jaden asks, ‘Assuming we talk to her and she turns out to be agreeable, how would she help?(P.124).’

 Ramdaye asks Ted, ‘What did you smoke?(P.126).’

Character Portrayal and Characterisation

1.     Jaden

a.      Wise, intelligent and Reasonable

He comes up with ways to kill the Samaritan. He gives opinion with a solution. He uses wise sayings like never hit a snake if you haven’t seen its head (P. 120)

b.     Schemer

He schemes on how to end the Samaritan. He even looks at ways The Innovative Teacher can be compromised. He says “…like giving her boxes of chocolate (P. 127).”

c.      Corrupt

He is ready to organize on how to bribe the Ethics and innovation Teacher. He suggests more boxes of chocolate

2.     Mossi

a.      Cautious

He does not want to use the money from municipal coffers to influence the case because it might end him in trouble. He says that he will never buy an idea of getting money from the municipal coffers (P.121).

b.     Schemer

He is afraid about the wellbeing of institutions in his municipality. He cares about learning process in school. He tells Bembe that they should not go to school to summon the Innovation Teacher since that will seem like interfering with learning in school (P.127).

3.     Bembe

a.      Fearful

He fears the case in court (P.124).

b.     Irrational

He wants to go to school to summon the innovation teacher. He does not care about the learning process (P.126).

4.     Basdeo

a.      Corrupt

He believes in power. He says that what the teacher wants is power (P. 125-126). He suggests that they give the teacher some powerful position.

b.     Schemer

He believes in dialogue. He feels that they should talk to the Ethics and Innovation Teacher, and convince her so as she gets the position in the municipality and in the process the Samaritan shall die (P.126).

5.     Seymour

a.      Corrupt

He says there is no way of escaping from incrimination but they should get money to fight their way out (P.121).

He suggests that Nicole be given a high office since that is what she seems to be after (P. 126).

b.     Inquisitive

He wants to know more from Jaden how he will initiate the prosecutions (P. 123).

c.      Arrogant

He tells Ted to grow some brains (P. 125).

There is no time for that crap here (P.124).

d.     Cautious and suspicious

He thinks Bembe is setting a trap for them and says he will not buy that idea (P.124)

6.     Ted

a.      Lustful

The only thing she knows about the Innovation Teacher is that she is beautiful and insists on looking at her legs (P. 125).

b.     Unreasonable and Irrelevant

When people are discussing how to handle Nicole, he talks of her beautiful legs (P.125).

He claims that he has a headache when it’s time to see the Innovation Teacher. He says that he needs some beer amid serious discussion (P.126).

 He thinks that children who came up with App are the problem.

7.     Bembe

a.      Fearful

He fears being prosecuted (P. 123).

ACT 4, Scene 3-Justice

The setting of the scene is at Sagrada Secondary School on a Wednesday, during lunch break. Narine is in the boardroom, pacing uneasily about the room, breathing heavily. There is a knock at the door, Nicole enters.

Narine, the school principal seems agitated and angry. She scorns Nicole for dragging her into the conflict between her and the leaders at Maracas municipality. Narine cautions Nicole that she is neither her house help nor secretary to keep on receiving phone calls from the municipal leaders informing her that they are coming to see her.

The principal tells Nicole that her engagements are not fair to the students and school and that she should give up on the App. Narine candidly tells Nicole that the struggle for good governance stretches as far as back as the beginning of human history and leadership has worsened over years. Nicole is informed that some visitors will be coming to meet her in school.

Shalini tells the principal that the visitors have arrived. The visitors comprise of Justice Jaden, followed by the Mayor, Mr. Harvester, The Inspector Bembe, Hon. Seymour, Hon .Ted, Hon. Ramdaye, Hon. Basdeo. The principal welcomes them. Narine tells them that she had planned to attend to crucial school matters, she exits the boardroom and leaves Nicole with the leaders of maracas municipality.

Nicole asks them about the visit. Jaden assures her that all is well and requests her to forgive them for their intrusion into her busy schedule. Ironically, Inspector Bembe apologises for arrest and arraignment in court. He tells Nicole that it was his mistake, therefore he apologises. In addition, the Mayor offers his apology to Nicole, he says that most of the times he steps on people’s toes in the course of duty, but it is never personal. Ted offers Nicole a present in form of a gold ring, she declines the offer. Nicole tells Ted that she does not wear them.

Jaden informs Nicole that they had held a lengthy meeting as the top leaders of Maracas municipality. In the meeting they all agreed that they consult Nicole on necessary changes that they can make to ensure that the future of Maracas is safe guarded. Not only does Bembe and the Mayor agree that the leadership of Maracas has failed in its mandate to the people but also says that the society is doomed unless a clear strategy is put in place to secure the future. Nicole tells says she is ready to work with patriotic citizens who are transparent and accountable in the management of public affairs.

Mossi the Mayor shakes Nicole’s hand and tells her that they welcome her offer to work with them.  They are ready for change that will ensure that the public resources will no longer be stolen and justice will be served. Nicole is optimistic that if everyone acts right all will be well. Jaden proposes that Nicole joins the municipality as Director General. The Mayor says a contract will be drafted for Nicole and she will oversee the whole department and report to the Mayor only.  Nicole turns down the offer stating that the change needed is of heart, spirit among the people and more so the leaders themselves but not by creation of new offices. She tells them that everyone needs to be responsible, honest, truthful, and abide by the laws of simply obeying the maker. Basdeo agrees with Nicole, nevertheless, he is hopeless with Maracas where leaders are self-seekers. Nicole says there is hope as long as people turn to their creators. The Mayor asks Nicole how she can help them and she reminds him of their mess.

 Alvita and Montano enter and inform Nicole of police are in the school. Inspector Tajo; the Head of the National Anti-Corruption investigation Bureau comes in and tells them that he is under instructions to escort them to the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau for Clarification of a variety of other issues. They are arrested as Alvita says confirms that no one can escape from the consequences of their actions.

Issues and Thematic Concerns

1.     Colonialism

Narine tells Nicole that the struggle for good governance stretches as far back as the beginning of human history. She further says that their forefathers were slaves to white people (P. 130).

2.     Bad Governance and Misuse of office

Narine talks about neocolonialism when she says that currently people have been enslaved by their own people (P.130).

Inspector Bembe tells Nicole that they must introduce fundamental changes in the way the municipality is administered. He says that they do agree that serious mistakes have been made in leadership (P.133).

 Nicole tells the Municipal leaders that they were entrusted with public office to manage the people’s affairs and lead them to a prosperous future but they turned corrupt and broke the law in pursuit of personal gains (P.137).

3.     Corruption

Through Basdeo corruption is depicted when he says that Nicole should not expect truthful and patriotic people in the municipality since they are all self-seekers (P. 136).

Nicole accuses the leaders of misusing their offices to practice corruption. She tells then that if they were Good Samaritans they would not have dipped their fingers in the public tills or broke the law (P. 137).

 The Mayor says that they want change in the municipality where public resource will no longer be stolen and the police will stand with the innocent. Besides, justice will be for all and lawmakers will protect and promote public interest. For this we deduce that corruption is rampant at Maracas (P. 133 -134).

4.     Greed for Power

Greed for power is evident when Basdeo suggests that he should be made a co- Mayor. He says he will be very close to have equal powers like the Mayor though not really close but almost there (P. 134).

Hon. Basdeo is taken aback when Jaden proposes that Nicole is given a contract to be a Director General of the municipality. Greed is built since Basdeo is eying a top position of almost having equal powers with the Mayor, definitely this worries him (P.135).

5.     Deception, Hypocrisy and Pretense

The leaders of Maracas deceive Nicole that they really need to bring her onboard out of the goodwill of Maracas municipality. Jaden tells Nicole, after due deliberations they agreed to consult her about the possible changes they need to effect to secure the future of the municipality. The truth is that they are playing power politics, therefore, they intend to bring Nicole on their side so as to stop the use of the Samaritan APP (P. 132-133).

Inspector Bembe deceptively tells Nicole that he is sorry for her arrest and arraignment in court (P. 131-132).

The Mayor is also not truthful when he apologizes to Nicole (P. 132).

6.     Change and Optimism

Nicole states to the gentlemen that change is needed in the management of the municipality. She tells them she is ready to work with like-minded citizens who will ensure there is transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs (P.133).

The Mayor says that the leaders want change in the municipality where public resource swill no longer be stolen, the police will stand with the innocent, justice will be for all and lawmakers will protect and promote public interest (P. 133 -134).

Nicole is optimistic by saying that it will be a new era in which everyone will be a Good Samaritan and brother’s keeper (P.133).

7.     Justice

The leaders of Maracas are arrested by the head of Anti-corruption Investigations Bureau to answers charges about a variety of issues. Alvita reminds Nicole of what she once told them; it is true that no one can escape from the consequences of their actions (P. 138-139).

8.     Hopelessness, disillusionment and despair

 Narine is desperate and thinks better leadership cannot be found at all. After all good leaders are no longer there and Africans who were once colonized by whites and now enslaved by their own people (P.130).

 Narine even suggests that  she will have no choice but to personally grab Nicole by her pants and hound her out of her vicinity through the nearest available opening (P.130).

Basdeo thinks the Municipality can never have truthful and patriotic individuals (P. 136).

 Nicole says there is no hope in the Municipality unless people resist the spirit of the Beast (P. 136).

10. Escapism

 Narine distances himself from The Samaritan as much as possible. She even threatens and advises Nicole to leave it so that she restores her peace (P. 126-131).

The principal welcomes the gentlemen and cheats that she had planned to attend to crucial school matters, she exits the boardroom and leaves Nicole with the leaders of Maracas municipality ( P.126).

 11. Fear

Montano and Alvita get to the boardroom while running. Montano tells Nicole that they should give up on the App because the teacher may be arrested (P.137).

The entire Municipal team is scared when the police come in and the Mayor hides behind Nicole whereas other shuffle on their feet in confusion (P.138).

12. Religion

 Nicole urges the Municipality leaders to turn away from their wicked ways and turn a new leaf that is towards their Creator (P.136).

 Nicole also equates the Municipal to the revival of the dry bones as it is in the Good book (P.136).

 Nicole also tells the Municipal leaders to be the Good Samaritan and brother’s keeper (P.134).

Language Use and Stylistic Devices

1.     Irony

It is ironical that the leaders of Maracas think that Nicole is in agreement with their suggestion of bringing her onboard and they celebrate she owes Maracus Municipality and the country a civil duty and she is ready to work with, yet she is not willing to join them at all (P.133-134).

Nicole finds it ironical when Mossi believes Nicole can get into contract with the Municipality and that is what will save the world. On the contrary, she thinks now laws or officers or positions can save it, the change should come from within themselves (P.135). She says they need patriotic citizens to enhance transparency (P. 133).

It is ironical that the leaders pretend they are ready for change at Maracas yet it is not true. They are only after winning Nicole to their side and tell her that they appreciate her contribution in enhancing service delivery to the people, yet they are after benefiting themselves (P.133).

It is ironical also that even though good governance stretches back to the beginning of human history, the many years of management worsen the situation. Currently, the citizens are enslaved by their own people when the forefathers were enslaved by the white people (P.130).

2.     Satire

 It is satirical that even though good governance stretches back to the beginning of human history, the many years of management worsen the situation. Currently people are enslaved by their own people when the forefathers were enslaved by the white people (P.130).

3.     Sarcasm

Seymour pulls his goatee and leaning back on his seat, hence sarcastically tells Bembe that, he did not know they were coming for a sermon (P.136).

Narine sarcastically refers to Nicole as a headstrong girl (P.129).
She also tells her to go ahead and upload everyone on that App (P.129).  She even tells her she neither her secretary nor a house girl.

4.     Biblical Allusion

Several instances are inferred from the bible.

Nicole tells the gentlemen that the new era should be characterized by everyone being a brother’s keeper as shown in Genesis 4: 1-13 and Matthew 25: 31-40) (P.134).

Nicole compares the state of Maracas municipality to the valley of the dry bones in the bible in Ezekiel 37:1-10(P.136).

5.     Ellipsis

Ellipsis has been used to show omission of words. Instances of ellipsis are as follows.

Nicole tells Madam Principal   you are certainly not, madam principal, but please….’ (P. 128).

My apologies, madam … (P. 129).

Basdeo says, “Well I don’t quite understand that …..(P.135).”

The Mayor responds to Basdeo by saying. The municipality is vested in me…(P. 135).

6.     Imagery

a.     Vivid Description

The scene starts on Wednesday at lunch hour at the Sagrada Secondary school in the principal’s boardroom. Narine is dressed in her trade mark style-flowery sari and gorgeous headscarf -pacing uneasily about the room, breathing rather heavily. From outside, the footsteps of a lady approaching on the corridor can be heard. Then there is a knock on the door (P.128).

There is another vivid description where it is stated, the visitors file in, the guests shake hands with the principal and Nicole. They all take seats and the principal clears her throat (P.131).

We are also informed of a brief awkward moment after which Jaden clears his throat and fiddles with the eyeglasses he had removed in his hands. It is indicated, Jaden and company exchange glances (P. 132). They all stand with relief and cheerfully move to shake Nicole’s hand in turns. Nicole stands up, though looked rather puzzled (P.133).

The writer described the boardroom as having a relaxed mood as people resume their seats (P.134).

There is silence as the mayor and company look at one another inquisitively. Then there is a loud knock on the door, which opens slowly. The School Principal enters, followed by a tall, uniformed police officer (P137).

b.     Symbolism

Narine tells Nicole that, she has severally said the bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. The oak stands for Nicole who is determined to ensure that the leadership of maracas if held accountable (P. 130).

The Beast stands for leaders that are corrupt, misuse their offices or powers (P. 136).

c.       Simile

 But like misguided helmsman… (P.137).

d.     Metaphor

 The vessel us dangling dangerously- Maracus is in great trouble (P.137).

7.     Rhetorical questions

 Nicole asks, “frankly speaking, if all of you dipped his fingers into the public rill, or broke the law in any way, would you be where you are today? Would our Municipality be in its present condition? (P.137).”

Narine asks Nicole, “You think that is fair to me? To the students? To the school? Do you think the life of our school is all about the App? (P.129).”

 Narine also asks Nicole, “Did you ever care to know what battles I am fighting to ensure your safety and defend the school’s position? (P.129).”

8.     Idiomatic Expression

 Dipped his fingers into the public till-looted public property (P.137).

 Cutting her short-interrupts (P.128).

Mossi says that he treads on people’s toes (P.132).

9.     Saying and Proverbs

Narine cautions Nicole that the bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak the resists (P.130).

If you can’t turn the wind turn the sail (P.130).

10. Hyperbole

Narine says,  “she will have no choice but to personally grab Nicole by her pants and hound her out of her vicinity through the nearest available opening  ( P.130).”

Character Portrayal and Characterization

1.     Nicole

a.      Patriotic and selfless

When Jaden asks her which post she would prefer she responds by telling him that, she owes the people of maracas municipality and their country a civic duty. Nicole wishes to work with patriotic citizens to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs (P. 133).

b.     Determined

Nicole is determined to fight for the welfare of maracas. She questions Narine if she prefers that they resign to slavery and if they would let the plunder of public resources continue unchallenged (P. 130).

Her determination to fight corruption, bad governance and other vices makes her to turn down the offer she is granted by the mayor to be Director General in the maracas municipality. She cautions them that the necessary transformation is the change of heart, spirit not new offices and positions (P. 135).

c.      Concerned and Caring

She tells the gentlemen that creating new offices and positions is burdening their people. Nicole here brings out her character of being caring and concerned towards the tax payers of Maracas municipality (P. 135).

d.     Candid, Courageous and Frank

She does not fear meeting the gentlemen and speaking out her mind. She confidently turns down their offer, present from Ted and courageously tells them what they need is change in their hearts and character but not new offices (P.135).

 Narine calls her a young headstrong girl (P. 128).

e.      Polite and calm

She sincerely apologises to the principal who is angry with her (P.128, 129).

She also declines the golden ring Ted gives her politely (P.132).

 She is calm even when the principal shout to her (P.128).

f.       Diligent, incorruptible and unique

She says what the Municipal needs are not contracts but change from within (P.135).

 Nicole believes that only doing the right thing can help the situation in which the Municipal leaders have found themselves (P.137).

g.      Forgiving

 She easily forgives the Municipal leaders and says there was nothing personal about the Samaritan (P.132).

h.     Optimistic

 Nicole hopes that Maracas will be better (P.136).

i.        Ambitious

 Narine calls her a young ambitious girl (P.129).

j.        Intelligent, Knowledgeable, and Informed

Nicole tells the Municipal leaders the best way to have proper management of resources. She knows all they need if not offices or contracts but doing the right thing and change of heart (P.135).

 She also understands that they did misuse the power they were given in the Municipality and that is why Maracas is in the current situation (P.137).

K. Realistic

 She tells the Municipal leaders that only by doing the right thing can the Municipality solve the situation facing them now. (P.137).

2.     Basdeo

a.      Greedy

He wants to be a co-Mayor and almost have equal powers to the Mayor (P. 134).

b.     Selfish

 He says he intends to craft way to a powerful post for himself (P.134).

c.      Hopeless

 He assures Nicole that there is no hope for their Municipality if she expects the people to be truthful and patriotic (P.136).

3.     The Gentlemen

a.      Deceptive, Crafty and Conniving

They lie to Nicole about their quest for change and need of her advice in the running of the municipality (P. 132,133,134,135).

b.     Cowardly

When the head of National Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau tells them that he has come to escort them to answer various charges, they cowardly run to take cover (P.138).

c.      Corrupt

The gentlemen are corrupt as evidenced in scene.

Through Basdeo corruption is depicted when he says that Nicole should not expect truthful and patriotic people in the municipality since they are all self- seekers (P. 136).

Nicole accuses the leaders of misusing their offices to practice corruption. She says if they were Good Samaritans they would not have dipped their fingers in the public tills or broke the law (P.137).

 The Mayor say that they want change in the municipality where public resource swill no longer be stolen, the police will stand with the innocent,  justice will be for all and lawmakers will protect and promote public interest. For this we deduce that corruption is rampant at Maracas (P. 133 -134).

4.     Narine

a.      Timid and fearful

She tries to convince Nicole to give up on the Samaritan App. Narine reminds Nicole that she told her to think of something else, the App will not change anything since the struggle for good governance stretches back to beginning of human history (P. 130).

b.     Emotional, Temperamental and irritable

Narine is irritated by Nicole. She tells her that her patience is running out (P. 128) She even tells her not to give her headache (P.130).

Narine even suggests that  she will have no choice but to personally grab Nicole by her pants and hound her out of her vicinity through the nearest available opening (P.130).

c.      Desperate and hopeless

Narine is desperate and thinks better leadership cannot be found at all. After all good leaders are no longer there and Africans who were once colonized by whites and now enslaved their own people (P.130).

d.     Sarcastic

 Narine tells Nicole that there is nothing that will be happening in the school, excerpt the Municipal leaders coming to see her (p.129).

e.      Arrogant

 She asks Nicole whether she thought she was hired to be a firefighter (P.129).

 She also asks whether Nicole thinks she is her house girl or her secretary (P.128).

5.     Mossi

a.      Insecure

He tells Nicole that he has given her power over all departments and she will only be answerable to him and him only. This portrays that he is insecure of the other leaders in the municipality. Basdeo had expressed interest to be a co- Mayor (P. 135).

b.     Pretentious or hypocritical

He pretends that he wants Nicole on board for a better running of the municipal when in reality he wants to evade the Samaritan and its repercussions (P.133).

c.       Cruel

 He testifies that he treads on people’s toes (P.132).

Sample KCSE Questions

Corruption molds suspicious leaders who will always work towards escaping punishment rather than working towards the progress of their nations.  Using illustrations from The Samaritan by John Lara, write a composition.

In The Samaritan, Ramdaye, Seymour, and Ted are some of the leaders who exhibit dirty ways of accruing wealth at the expense of citizens.

Leaders bribe when they want to gain power or maintain their position in the municipal. Jaden, Ted, Harvester, Seymour, Basdeo, and Mossi are some of the Municipality leaders that feel threatened by the Samaritan App. They decide to assemble with Judge Jayden and plan on how to hinder the public exposure that is threatening their positions. Mossi thinks of bribing Nicole whom he believes is key in controlling the app. He suggests that she takes a position of the Director General of the Marcas Municipality so that she serves as a consultant whose overall power over the entire departments in the municipality will be under him and therefore he will only be answerable to the Mayor (P.135). Nicole points out that this is a possible bribe. Basdeo and Seymour suggest that they should give her the position which will win her to their side (P.125). The bribery that dominates the play is as a result of need to maintain leadership.

 Leaders too use violence to maintain their positions.  When Nicole seems not to badge by making an end to the Samaritan app, the Municipal leadership promise that she will experience the worst time. She is later mishandled when she seems determined with her course. Mayor Ramdaye, Seymour, and Ted organize a meeting with a goal of passing a vote of no confidence in The Mayor and Mossi. During the meeting The Mayor suggests that they mobilize Red Eagle network, violent young supports to ensure the Municipal headquarters are a no-go zone (p.45).He even boasts that the head of this violent group is coordinator of his political network. Satirically, he is ready to pay the youths and buy polythene papers, tires, sacks, and mattresses that the group will burn all over the town so as to scare anyone who may want to curtail their activities.  Ramdaye indeed testifies the use of power, violence and intimidation in the next meeting where he says he never knew The Mayor was such a violent fellow (P.74). Even Ted shares that one of the youths targeted to hit his head with a rock and that some people held very large stones. Seymour too shares that the operation they experienced was almost a military-like one and so Ramdaye had to run for his life regardless of his old age.AS seen, the desire to maintain power forces leaders to apply violence to get to leadership.

Leaders use propaganda to get to or maintain power. Seymour tells his team to justify reallocation of finds in the council by capitalizing on the misinformation of presence of a lot of garbage in the municipal, yet in truth he intends to have that money help them pay off against impending cases (p.33). Mossi, The Mayor attempts to dismiss The Samaritan App by fabricating stories about what it has actually done. He says this tool is a spy app which could result in exposure of bank details. He even says it is creating crime such as sharing of pornographic details and theft (P.27). He goes further to say the previous year anonymous individuals claimed he had died by sending a text message on the social media and he later could have died out of swallowing a toothpick (P.16).  Mossi wants Harvester to make a statement addressing the media and deny ever rejecting to present an award to the students at grade Secondary School.  He wants them to cheat that the plants on the prizing are in the pipeline. The Municipal team agrees to fix and blackmail Nicole whom they suspect in behind The Samaritan App by sending someone to stead the generator or even a computer or school furniture than pin it on her (P.47). All the propaganda in the play results from the interest of leaders in maintaining their posts.

Leaders too use threats and manipulation maintains their positions.  When Nicole seems not to badge by making an end to the Samaritan app, the Municipal leadership under The Mayor chose to go further as to arrest and judge her. Bembe had suggested this earlier and indeed she is charged with stealing a school generator. Bembe receives a lot of money from the council yet he does not render the services required that is why he fights to help the rest of the leaders win in the current times. Students realize that their teacher will have the worst time and so when they come to her house they refer to The Mayor’s ultimatum the last time he came to school (P.49).Alvita and Montano know their teacher will soon be in trouble. Even the principal feels Nicole will be in trouble if she does not comply to the demands of the leaders in the Municipal(P.56).Mossi himself walks into the school, meets both the principal and Nicole with the mission of threatening her. He tells her to call him once she has started monitoring and deleting all negative posts on it of  else face the wrath of Mossi-oa-Tunya that thunders (P.73). They even make her appear as a thief so that she is guilty and is jailed. Indeed, every threat seen in this play is aimed at maintaining power.

Overall, the leaders including The Mayor, Seymour, Bembe, and Basdeo  in The Samaritan are presented are afraid of losing power and the only way to maintain it is through bribery, threats and intimidation, violence, or fabricated propaganda.

Hope is the mother of success is proven to be a true statement in John Lara’s The Samaritan, write an essay to justify this. or

However bad a situation is, hope saves the day.

In The Samaritan, Nicole encounters trouble and the worst moments after the Samaritan App is popular, but she relies on optimism even when the leaders of the Municipal think they will destroy her to survive the harsh experience. Among other illustrations of hope are the presentation by the students, the rampant corruption in the municipal, and the frustrations the principal experiences.

Nicole is in trouble and hangs on a straw when the Samaritan App is popular, yet she relies on hope to win.  Once Mossi comes to Sagrada Secondary school for Awarding and listens to Alvita and Montano present what the app can do, he calls off everything. He even says he will write a letter to Nicole indicating reservations for the app and asking her to leave everything to him (P.17). The principal forewarns Mossi about such an action knowing how   principled Nicole is and a kind of person that can only do what she believes is right.  The Mayor insists the Navine the principal must ensure Nicole complies to the orders if she does not want trouble (P.19). Days later, Montano and Alvita visit Nicole and discourage her from pursuing the App following the ultimatum that The Mayor gave during closure of the school the previous year, they wish and urge her to leave it. She hopes everything will work and even narrates to them some of the outstanding stories in the bible. The principal is also worried about Nicole and she tells her since they suspect she is behind the scene in attacking their leadership; it is wise that she stays out of trouble so that he work is not derailed(P.55) . She particularly refers to an analogy of daring an elephant into a wrestling match and possibility of being tramples and tells her to set boundaries between politics and school (P.57). Nicole still tells her the App has a good course and it should not be eliminated. Mossi comes to school and convinces Nicole to monitor the App or do away with it. When he realizes how firm Nicole is he even claims she is behind the scene and threatens her to delete everything on it or have trouble with Mossi-oa-Tunya the thundering smoke that never stops at nothing (P.100). Nicole is later arrested after Bembe manages to steal the generator under The Mayor’s directives (P.74). All in all, Nicole holds on hope and through Justice Jaden, the case is dismissed when people turn up massively and demand that she be freed.

Navine, the school principal encounters too much pressure from the Municipal leaders, however hope makes her successful. Mayor Mossi comes to school and when the students present the idea of the App to him he dismisses it (P.15). He immediately demands that the App be disqualified; hence the principal explains to him how the president of the republic is already aiming to have the App launched at the national level early next year when schools reopen and that preparations are ongoing. Mossi adamantly rejects that and insists that since the app is under the school control they should write to the president or find ways of eliminating it. The principal indicates that so far the app has gone through the supervision of knowledgeable software engineers, but the major is irritated and says that being a mayor the officials of education are all under him anywhere in the country (P.17). The principal is frustrated and discourages Nicole whom she refers to as a headstrong girl to give up on the App because it is working against her experience, patience, and goals. She reminds her that she is neither a house girl nor a secretary who should receive so many calls from the municipal leadership. She thinks that it would be just and fair to the students is she stopped pursuing the app including uploading information on anyone. Finally, the little hoe wins as the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau arrests Mayor Mossi and other municipal leaders.

The presentation by the two students Montano and Alvita proves that regardless of great challenges and desperation, there is hope in life. In the presentation Alvita is a cobbler whose life is desperate having been battered by life. His nose is permanently running. Montana sees this as luck because he has income unlike many youths who roam in the streets and villages without a job. The country has a lot of graduates, cities are polluted and the weather is unpredictable (P.5). With no rains, animals and plants cannot survive and people eat strange insects, rodents and sea creatures for survival.  Some people eat synthetic fibers and even plastics. Life expectancy is 30 years due to crime, malnutrition, and diseases (P.6). Alvita counters this desperation by defending the future where an intelligent robot will replace professionals in enforcing justice and offering services. The life-expectancy will be seven hundred years and drugs will be there to regenerate body cells and maintain young age (p.8). Alvita shows how whole factories, hospitals, and hotels are under the robotic management and that has decongested towns. Robots are enhancing intellectual pursuits and technology is clearing air of carbon emissions hence solving climatic changes and allowing rains to come. The results happen because of The Samaritan App that is being launched in the world. In this situation, Alicia’s vision presents hope in future.

There is rampant greed, corruption and misuse in the municipality to an extend that it shows a hopeless situation, however, hope comes when these leaders are arrested. Mossi himself reveals how corrupt the municipality is as 

Choices have consequences

Where there is a will there is a way is a true statement that applies to The Samaritan. Write an essay to this effect.

Jaden says If you live in glass houses do not throw stones

 Nicole is the only voice of reason in The Samaritan. Write an essay to support this statement

 Power politics is a dangerous scenario in any country. Show the reality of this in relation to The Samaritan by closely referring to Maracas society.

Good governance leads to the suffering of the citizens. Discuss the reality of this statement as applied to The Samaritan

Good governance comes with demands from the citizens

It is not always true that the bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists, Using Nicole in the Play, show the truth of this argument.

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely

Desperate situations call for desperate solutions. Using The Samaritan by John Lara show how true this statement is to the play.

You can never escape from the consequences of your actions

Choices have consequences

A leader can never hide the evils they conduct from the people they rule

Determination and focus is a great ingredient to positive change

Corruption motivates selfishness, violence, and cruelty. Show how true these aspects are.

The Samaritan is a political satire. Discuss.

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