BETRAYAL IN THE CITY - PLOT ANALYSIS

a)      Exposition

The plot’s exposition reveals the characters, the setting and the source of conflicts in the play. The exposition opens up with two characters, Doga and Nina, who reveal how their son, Adika, was killed by the sub-chief’s brother Chagaga. After his death, Jusper, whose brother was Adika, revenges his brother’s death by killing Chagaga and throwing his body in the river’. Jusper reveals the killing of Chagaga to his parents who at first thought that what Jusper was saying was the manifestation of his madness. As the conversation continues Jusper asks his parents if he could go and confess that he had killed someone and his parents give him the go ahead without knowing that it was in fact true that Jusper had killed someone. After Jusper confesses his sins to the crowd, he is beaten until people thought that he had died. His confession brings him into direct conflict with the authorities since he had admitted of committing a crime. Later on, it is revealed to Doga and Nina that Jusper had killed Chagaga and he had confessed about it. Jere and Mulili tell Jusper’s parents how Jusper, dressed in a white shirt, confessed in a crowd of people of how he had killed Chagaga.

The exposition of the play also reveals how Mosese and Jere got arrested. In act one of the play, Mosese and Jere are in prison and they share the same cell. During their initial conversation nothing is revealed as to why they were arrested but later on we get to know the reasons behind their arrest. Mosese tells Jere how he was arrested after he was found in possession of an illegal drug that was hidden in his car. He tells Jere that his arrest was a set-up because earlier on during Adika’s funeral service, a handful of politicians had tried to turn the service into a political rally. Because he couldn’t bear to listen to what the politicians were saying, he stood up and told them his mind and the next day they arrested him after finding a kilogramme of opium in his car. Jere, on the other hand tells Mosese of how he was sent to his own sub-location to restore peace and order and after two days of staying there he came face to face with the suffering the people faced and this led him to change his mind and defy the authorities. Because of his decision to go against the wishes of the authorities he got arrested and was sent to prison.

The exposition of the play has revealed several characters who are the major players in the development of the play’s plot. In act one several characters are revealed with some of them being mentioned in conversations between the characters. The exposition has also revealed the character traits that the characters possess and they type of characters who play different roles in the development of the play’s plot. Conversation between Jeer and Mulili have helped to reveal the setting upon which the play is based upon.

b)      Foreshadowing

Jusper foreshadows events that would take place later in the play. While he was in Regina’s house he tells Regina that a day will come when he will have his revenge against those who killed his entire family. Doga also foreshadows the death of Mulili when he tells him that he would die the same way his son Adika was killed. The foreshadowing of the plot helps the reader to anticipate how the climax of the plot would unfold.

c)       Inciting force

Jere, Tumbo, Mulili, Jusper and Boss act as the inciting forces in the play’s plot. Jere who shares the same cell with Mosese incites Mosese to take part in the play which was to be acted in front of the visiting head of state. On the other hand Tumbo incites Jusper to write the play because of Jusper’s mastery in writing play lets and also because both of them will benefit financially. In both cases Mosese and Jusper accept to take part in the play hoping that their fortunes will change after their involvement in the entertainment of the visiting head of state. Mulili and boss incited the citizens of Kafira through the way they treated those who were below them.

d)      Rising action

The rising action of the play is achieved when conflict arises between Kabito and Mulili. Kabito is angry with Mulili because Mulili took away his milk supply tender after he had won it. Kabito who views Mulili as a second rate farmer is also furious that Tumbo has put Mulili on the entertainment committee. As the play progresses, Mulili and Kabito get into verbal fights because they both have opposing opinions on how the entertainment of the visiting head of state should be conducted. To have his way, Mulili rushes to Boss’s palace and gives false information to Boss regarding Kabito. The information that Mulili gives infuriates boss who orders for Kabito’s elimination.

e)      Crisis

The crisis of the play is reached during the rehearsal of the play that was to be performed for the visiting head of state. During the rehearsal which was meant to make a permanent impression to Boss, it is revealed that one of the actors who was to have played the chief of staff was not well and all the props were not yet ready because the carpenter had not made them.

f)       Climax

The climax of the play is achieved when Boss decided to take part in the play and act as the chief of staff. Since the props were not yet ready, boss directs his guards to bring their guns to be used as props. His decision excites Jusper because their plan of staging a coup seems to take place as they had planned. When Boss realizes that there was a conspiracy to remove him as the head of state he discovers that his guards have no guns to defend him against Jusper and the prisoners. At that moment Mulili walks into the room only to discover that a palace coup was taking place. Jusper’s earlier prediction to Regina that he will get revenge against those who were responsible for his entire family’s death comes true when Boss hands over a gun to Jusper who goes ahead and shoots Mulili.

g)      Falling action

After the shooting of Mulili, Jusper turns to the audience and tells them that he had killed Mulili for Kafira and for all the people.