RONGO

UNIVERSITY –
NYATIKE
LEARNING
CENTRE
COURSE CODE:
LIT 120
NAME ADM.NO PHONE
NUMBER
1 DELORENCE EDA/6132/2024 0706171596
ALILAH
2 KEITH EDA/6137/2024 0748387615
BARAZA
3 DANIEL EDA/6157/2024 0717368696
ODIPO
ONYANGO
4 SAKINA EDA/6141/2024 0113047603
RATENG’
Q1. USING FRANCIS IMBUGA’S BETRAYAL IN THE
CITY, DESCRIBE ELEMENTS OF DRAMA.
1. Plot:
The plot of betrayal in the city revolves around political corruption,
betrayal and the fight for justice. It follows the story of a corrupt
government. For example, Jusper, Jere and Mosese grapple with
issues of oppression, betrayal and desire for change. They are arrested
and executed yet they are innocent citizens. The exploitation of power
therefore results to climactic confrontation where Jesper fires Mulili.
2. Characters
In the play “Betrayal in the City,” the key characters include Jusper
(the protagonist), who is caught in the struggle between power and
justice, and the corrupt leaders e.g the Boss, who perpetuate injustice.
Other characters such as Doga, Mosese and the police officer
symbolize various elements of society, from the oppressed to those
complicit in maintaining the corrupt system. The complex
personalities of these characters highlight the themes of loyalty,
betrayal and human cost of political oppression.
3. Setting
The play takes place in a fictional city that mirrors a typical post-
colonial African state characterized by political unrest, corruption and
exploitation. In the city of Kafira, the physical setting which includes
government offices, public spaces and prisons, help convey the
themes of control and oppression.
4. Conflict
The central conflict in the Betrayal in the City is both internal and
external. The external conflict is the oppressive political system
represented by the government and its corruption. On another level,
the internal conflicts involve the characters personal struggles. For
example, Jusper’s moral dilemma, Doga’s quest for justice, and
Mosese’s frustration with the system. These conflicts drive the
characters actions and decisions, creating tension and drama
throughout the play.
5. Dialogue
In the play Betrayal in the City, characters express their desires,
frustrations and motivations through conversations. This reveals the
tensions within the society. Dialogue is always sharp and direct when
addressing issues of betrayal, corruption and desire for justice. The
use of language also underscores the power dynamics at play, as some
characters use language to manipulate or control others, while others
struggle to find their voice. For example, Mulili finds it difficult to
address the Boss. Even during the meeting, Nicodemo and B. Kabito
show their prowess in language against Mulili’s struggle to
communicate and speak broken language.
6. Theme
The central themes in the Betrayal in the city include political
corruption, betrayal, justice and the power struggle between the ruling
elite and the oppressed masses. In political corruption, the president’s
decision to execute innocent people including the students who are
protesting for justice symbolizes the extent of political corruption in
the play. Jusper, the protagonist, experiences betrayal by his friend
Mosese, who, despite initially being on the same side of the political
struggle, eventually betrays Jusper’s cause. The students’ protests in
the play reflect their demand for justice. The police officer, who
serves the oppressive government, represents how power is
maintained through fear and intimidation.
7. Symbolism
Symbols are used throughout the play to enhance the meaning and
themes. For instance, the “city” itself symbolizes a corrupt and unjust
society. Jusper’s attempt to expose the truth or Doga’s campaign for
justice symbolize the broader struggle for fairness in the face of a
system that thrives on betrayal.
8. Irony
There is an element of irony in the Betrayal in the City, particularly
with the characters’ actions and the government’s promises. For
instance, the president of the fictional city of Kafira, claims to be
committed to justice, yet his actions are far from just. He presents
himself as a leader who upholds the laws and serves the people, but in
reality he is a tyrant.
His power to suppress opposition and maintain his corrupt rule. It is
also ironic that Jusper who seeks to expose the truth and fight against
the corruption of the government, ends up being manipulated by the
very system he wants to expose by being hired by the government to
act as a supposed reformer and to speak out against the injustices but
the government true intention is to silence him and others who oppose
them.
9. Stage directions
The stage directions in the Betrayal in the City contribute to the mood
and tone of the play. For example, when characters are placed in
oppressive, confining spaces such as prisons or interrogation rooms,
these settings physically represent their mental and emotional states.
The actions, gestures and physical movements of the characters also
help convey underlying emotions like fear, anger and despair. For
example, when Jusper is interrogated or when the police are present,
the stage directions often include descriptions of “dark confined
spaces” or “characters standing rigidly” under the scrutiny of
authorities. These descriptions create a sense of fear and helplessness.
Q2.DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF EAST AFRICAN
DRAMA IN THE STUDY OF LITERATURE TODAY.
East African Drama often grapples with themes of colonialism,
independence, corruption and political oppression. Plays such as
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s “I will Marry when I want” and Francis
Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City” tackle the socio-political struggles of
East African nations addressing issues such as betrayal, government
corruption and challenges post-colonial identity. These plays remain
relevant as they continue to offer powerful critiques of political
systems and societal rules, making them valuable tools for
understanding current issues in many African countries. The political
themes addressed in East African Drama touch on issues like political
accountability, good governance and human rights today.
East African drama provides rich portrayals of African identity,
tradition, and cultural values. It reflects on how culture is passed from
generation to generation through the use of myths, dance, and
Indigenous languages. These plays preserve and celebrate African
culture while also questioning the role of tradition in a rapidly
changing world. Today it offers insights into the conflict between
maintaining cultural traditions and embracing modernity. With issues
of cultural exchange and impact of westernization, East African
drama offers space for discourse on these important subjects.
East African drama has been a form of social activism, using theatre
as a platform for raising awareness and challenging oppressive
systems. In the play Betrayal in the city critique governmental
corruption and injustice, while Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s plays focus on
the exploitation of the poor and the struggle for freedom in post-
colonial Africa. East African drama today can inspire social
movements providing a voice for the marginalized and encouraging
dialogue about inequality, gender and justice. In the age of social
media and global activism, East African drama still serves as
important means of protest and political expression.
The themes of East African drama often touch on universal human
experiences such as freedom, identity and justice. Issues like betrayal,
abuse of power, love are common across all cultures, making East
African drama accessible to global audiences. The theme of
oppression and resistance in Wole Soyinka and Ngugi wa Thiong’o
are still relevant to global struggles for justice and equity, making East
African drama important in broader study of human rights and
societal transformation. East African drama often integrates oral
literature elements such as, proverbs, folktales, and songs. This
incorporation preserves African storytelling traditions while adapting
them to modern theoretical forms, offering a unique perspective in
literary studies.
East African drama explores gender
Roles and social change. Many plays explore
Gender dynamics, highlighting the evolving roles
Of men and women in East Africa Societies.
This is particularly relevant in contemporary
Discussions on feminism, gender equality and
Social justice in literature.