Sample Essay
"Audiences find the play Ti-Jean and His Brothers appealing because it reflects the Caribbean experience."
Write an essay in which you describe TWO incidents that can be considered Caribbean. You must also discuss why you find ONE of these incidents appealing or not appealing, and examine ONE dramatic technique the playwright uses to explore Caribbean culture.
35 Marks
The Caribbean experience is one that involves music, folklore and a range of historical events. Derek Walcott’s Ti-Jean and His Brothers highlights various scenes and events that are truly Caribbean. This is what makes the play an interesting one. In relation to the Caribbean experience, this essay will describe two incidents, discuss the appeal in one incident and examine a dramatic technique used to explore Caribbean culture.
Firstly, the prologue reflects a Caribbean experience, in particular, when the animals open the play by introducing the characters. The Frog, Cricket, Firefly and Bird narrate the play and are accompanied by music and song. These animals are characters in the play as well. In Caribbean folklore, animals are commonly used as characters in stories that teach morals. The same occurs in this play; the animals highlight important morals such as humility and truth.
Secondly, when Gros Jean begins working for the white planter, this reflects the Caribbean experience in terms of its history. The territories in the Caribbean were once run by white planters who had slaves working in the sugar cane fields. Similarly Gros Jean works for the white planter and receives no salary nor does he get to rest. He is given menial tasks such as counting cane stalks which is similar to the lowly job of a slave.
From the two incidents listed above, Gros Jean’s encounter with the planter is not appealing. The planter clearly takes advantage of the eldest son by over-working him. He further degrades him by repeatedly calling him by the wrong names such as Joe, Mac
and Henry. The planter disregards the fact that Gros Jean is human and cannot work endlessly. He says people like him ‘forget that you people aren’t machines’. These things trigger Gros Jean into a rage and he becomes the first victim of the Devil and loses his life.
A technique that the playwright uses to portray Caribbean culture would be music or sound. The Caribbean region is known for its upbeat tempo, drums, cymbals, flute and cuatro. In addition, the calypso music is indigenous to the region. These features are incorporated into the play to enhance the action in the scenes. The music is played when the brothers are introduced by the animals in the prologue. The music of the flute is synonymous to the mother while the cymbals and drums accompany the Devil.
The playwright skillfully showcases aspects of the Caribbean in the play, Ti Jean and His Brothers. This essay described two Caribbean incidents, discussed its appeal and one technique that showed Caribbean culture. By representing the Caribbean, audiences are entertained and also get a glimpse of the region’s uniqueness.
Sample Essay
!Next a Break down of the Essay!
"Audiences find the play Ti Jean and His Brothers appealing because it portrays Caribbean history".
Write an essay in which you describe TWO incidents that are connected to or influenced by Caribbean history. You must also discuss the impact of ONE of these incidents on ONE character. Finally, you must examine ONE dramatic technique that the playwright uses to explore Caribbean history.
References of Caribbean History in the play:
Planter
Rebellion
Plantation House/ Great House being burnt
Plantation system - slaves working in the sugar cane fields
Slavery
White Man as ruler and white superiority
Racism towards Black people/ Africans
Folklore characters - Papa Bois, Bolum
Colonization by the white man
Section | Description of incident |
Introduction
| The history of the Caribbean finds its way amongst many literary works in the region. The play ‘Ti Jean and His Brothers’ highlights the theme of Caribbean history through its references of the white planter, slavery, sugar cane estates and many others. This essay would explore the theme of Caribbean history in relation to two events, how one event affects a character and a dramatic technique. |
Two incidents connected/influenced by Caribbean history
| One incident that is connected to Caribbean history is racism. The white planter being racist to Mi Jean. The Old Man refers to Mi-Jean as a monkey, this is an intentional reference to racist ideologies that compare black people to apes and suggest that black people have not reached the same stage of evolution as white people. Ti- Jean and his brothers also show colonization through the use of cane fields and the “white plantation owner.” Ti- Jean burning down the sugar cane fields can represent the rebellion against white supremists thus showing the event of the rebellion for slavery to end. Another incident that is connected to Caribbean history is colonization. This is where one group/country ruled over another group/country. Colonization is seen where the white planter ruled over his estate and was in charge of the slaves, including the brothers. The planter/colonizer is in charge of Gros Jean and instructs him to do menial tasks. Rebellion is another incident in the play which is seen where Ti Jean instigated the slaves to burn the sugar cane fields.
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Impact of one incident on one character
How does the incident affect the character
| Ti-Jean's act of resistance at the end of the play corresponds with both successful and failed slave rebellions across Caribbean islands. In leading the slaves in rebellion, Ti Jean gained an upper hand on the Planter. The Planter got frustrated and angry while Ti Jean became confident and brave. The effect of Ti-Jeans resistance led to his life being spared and in return the Devil rewarded him by granting the Bolom life. Though Ti-Jean obtained success and was victorious by defeating the Devil, he felt a sense of sadness as he lost his family along the way but also gained one,referring to the Bolom. Gros Jean resisted the main tenet of colonialism which was the white Planter’s dominance over black people. In the beginning, he followed the Planter’s orders such as counting the leaves of sugar cane and dividing the stalks. Then he became impatient and felt his strength was being wasted. Gros Jean also wanted to rest and indicated how the workers or slaves had to toil endlessly without a break from the white ruler. This leads to his demise when the Planter provokes him further. Gros Jean wants to rest but the colonial rule of the whites did not afford the workers any rest from their work.
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One dramatic technique that explores Caribbean History |
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Conclusion
| It can be seen that Ti Jean and His Brothers depict the theme of Caribbean history. This is seen through incidents in the play, the negative effects on the characters and the dramatic technique which enhances the theme. The historical aspect of the play highlights the ideas of slavery and plantation society which worked in favour of whites while African slaves were disadvantaged. In the play, history is significant because it brings awareness of colonial challenges that our ancestors faced. |
Allegory | Dramatic conflict | Symbolism |
Is shown with the many meetings with the devil as the brothers each meet the devil at different times their stories represent different times where slaves were forced to confront the planters to fight for their freedom, Gros-Jean being strength, Mi-Jean being intelligence and Ti-jean being kindness, common sense and Faith(the black mans meetings with the White devil i.e slavery) It teaches about good and evil,if you stay on the path of good like ti-jean you will be successful. If linked to history it has a more political meaning which is the evils of colonialism. The allegory is seen in a political way which highlights/shows the evils of colonialism and the white man's rule and how it affected the black people. Even after slavery had ended the people of African descent had still suffered under the white rule i.e. whites were still in positions of power and aristocrats etc. The play shows the unequal treatment of the blacks and how the whites used the blacks as a labour force.(White=land owning class Blacks=People taken advantage of)
| The three brothers vs The Planter. This explores Caribbean history as it displays conflict between the planter and the ‘slave workers’. In other terms, Rebellion of the slave workers towards the white planters.
| The moon that is shown throughout the play, represents Ti-Jean, it signifies that he is a ‘light’ in the world, because he defeated the devil. The sugar cane and cotton plantation the planter owns symbolizes colonial rule in the Caribbean:) When Gros-Jean goes to work for the planter, his choice to work on the plantation represents black men’s choice to participate in the colonial system:)
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Derek Walcott uses forest creatures in the play to add a folklore element.
Normally questions are based on a theme. However this question wants you to focus on an element of Caribbean drama - which is folklore. This element of folklore is represented by the forest animals in the play.
Write an essay in which you discuss the attitude of Gros Jean and Mi Jean to the forest creatures. In this essay, you must highlight how their attitudes differ from Ti-Jean’s, as well as explain the consequences EACH of the brothers suffer or enjoy as a result of his treatment of the forest creatures.
Introduction | Definition of folklore: Folklore is known in the Caribbean as oral story traditions passed down throughout the ages. How is folklore represented in the story?: Folklore is represented as the forest creatures who guide the three brothers throughout the play. Briefly discuss the attitudes of the brothers towards the forest creatures: In the story Mi-Jean and Gros-Jean, they were proud of the knowledge and strength respectively thus causing them to pay no heed to the creatures. Thesis Statement (what the essay will entail) : “This essay will include a description of the attitudes of Gros-Jean and Mi-Jean towards the forest creatures, how their attitudes differ from Ti-jean’s ,and lastly an explanation of the consequences each of the brothers suffer or enjoy as a result of his treatment of the forest creatures.”
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Body paragraph 1 | Gros Jean was proud of his so-called “iron arm” so felt he did not really need the creature's advice, he calls the frog a “slimy bastard” this shows that he does not understand the value in asking for their assistance and he also doesn't appreciate all God’s creatures.. This shows his lack of faith. Mi Jean is not the kindest, he degrades the animals and insults the frog and tries to kick him saying “How could God make such creatures?’ He doesn't take the warnings of the creatures and scolds them. They are both cruel to the creatures and as a result they face the equal and fair consequences.
Ti-jean compliments the frog. |
Body paragraph 2 | Ti-jean is kind to the forest animals and is assisted by them as a result Gros Jean insults the forest animals and also attempts to kick the frog as he states that it is in his way as he then calls the frog a “slimy bastard” and threatens to mash the cricket. He then tells the bird to show him a short cut quickly.
Mi Jean is arrogant towards the creatures and is annoyed by them as he states that the bird was disturbing him by whistling. The creatures tried to warn him of the dangers ahead but he doesn't take the seriously |
Body paragraph 3 | Ti-Jean cleverly defeats the Devil by burning down his plantation, and refusing to complete the menial tasks the Devil has assigned him. Through his defeat of the Devil, Ti-Jean demonstrates resistance, faith, and courage. Mi-Jean is an intellectual. He always has his head buried in a book, and because of this isn’t very good at fishing, or doing any other practical task. Mi-Jean insults Frog, whom he meets on his way to find the Devil. When Mi-Jean finds the Devil, disguised as the Planter, the Planter tasks him with chasing after and tying up an old goat, which Mi-Jean does successfully. when the Planter implies that man is no more intelligent than animals—meaning that Mi-Jean’s intellect may be no greater than the goat he is trying to capture—Mi-Jean loses his cool
Because Gros Jean and Mi Jean thought highly of themselves, they were easily defeated and consumed by the devil. |
Conclusion | This essay discussed how the attitudes of the brothers towards the forest animals were seen and the consequences or benefits gained from this treatment towards the forest creatures. Gros Jean and Mi Jean treated the animals inhumanely while Ti Jean showed them kindness and respect. The former suffered grave consequences while Ti Jean survived. This shows that good deeds do not go unrewarded.
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Impact of; incidents with forest -Drama Essay breakdown-Ti-Jean and his Brothers
“The forest is a fitting symbol for Walcott to tell his story.”
Write an essay in which you describe TWO incidents that occur in the forest. For ONE of the incidents described, you must discuss the impact of it on ONE character. Finally, you must examine how the playwright uses the forest to portray ONE theme in the play.
Total 35 marks
A symbol is something that represents something else. In the play, Ti-Jean and His Brothers, the forest is used as a symbol. The forest is where the brothers must pass through as they face the Devil’s challenge. It is a symbol of a journey or quest where the brothers must find the Devil who is in disguise. The forest is where many important events occur. In addition, it is the home of the animals that are there to guide the brothers. In this essay, two incidents that occur in the forest will be discussed, the impact on one character and how the forest helps to illustrate a theme in the play.
Two Incidents;
Impact ;
How does it affect the character
Their reaction, behaviour, consequence
Linking the forest to a Theme ;
Part | Description/ Explanation |
Two incidents that occur in the forest | In the plantation, Gros-Jean was working for the devil who is disguised as a planter. The planter, trying to irritate Gros-Jean, began calling him other names. The planter gave Gros-Jean tedious work without any breaks which enraged Gros-Jean. Gros-Jean realised that no matter how hard he worked, the planter did not realise it and he was frustrated. Gros-Jean then loses his temper causing him to lose his challenge he made with the devil. In Act 1 of Ti-Jean and His Brothers, it begins with the characterization of the brother, Gros-Jean who is the oldest and first to set out on the quest to conquer the devil’s challenge. Upon his journey through the forest, he came across the forest creatures to which he missed treated and attempted to hurt the frog showing his lack of respect for the creatures that god created in his image Secondly, in act 3, during Ti-Jean’s journey through the forest where he meets the forest creatures, whom he showed respect and showed them kindness unlike his brothers, Gros-Jean and Mi-Jean who mistreated them with insults. Ti-Jean was also shown the resting spots of his two late brothers who had lost the challenge to the devil. |
The impact on ONE character | Gros Jean was affected by the incident mentioned previously. Because of his arm of iron, Gros-Jean, felt as though he could do any task given to him. He thought that he was superior to the forest animals which led him to disrespect them both physically and emotionally. He also believed that he didn’t need intelligence to defeat the devil, his strength alone would do it. His overconfidence in his strength led to his defeat by the devil. |
What theme is portrayed by the forest? | In Ti-Jean and His Brothers, the playwright uses the forest to portray the theme of Good vs Evil. The portrayal of evil is seen by the Devil and the various characters he embodies, one of which is Papa Bois, whereas the portrayal of good is seen by the forest creatures. The forest animals’ main purpose is to guide and help the brothers, although they are afraid of the old man, who they know is evil. Papa Bois is a folklore character who is known as the protector of animals but, in the play, the old man is a trickster, as he is the devil in disguise who tries to fool them with his cunning ways. He is used to lure Ti-Jean, Mi-Jean and Gros-Jean away from asking the forest creatures for help. This can be shown as their mother told them to 'trust in God' and to seek help. The play discusses the fine line between good, evil, as well as spirituality and political adversity in the West Indian region, thus allowing the audience the possibility of several different meanings and interpretations.
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