01.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PLAY
The plays story happens in Mvoutessi
village in the southern part of Cameroon. Mvoutessi is a Bulu village which is
built along the roads. Daughter of the village, Juliette is returning home from
her Secondary School. She is with her fiancé, Oko, whom she expects to
introduce to her family. But her family has arranged a fiancé for her. This
situation results into the clashes between two cultures: young generation and
old generation.
ANALYSIS
OF THE PLAY
FORM
01.
TITLE AND SETTING
1. TITLE OF THE PLAY
The title of the play "Three Suitors One Husband" reflects
the marriage issue. The title reveals two marriage issues:
Firstly, it reflects the competition
of three Suitors:
(1) Ndi who pays 100,000 francs for
Juliette.
(2) Mbia who pays 200,000 francs for
Juliette.
(3) Tchetgen who is asked to pay
200,000 francs for Juliette but he refuses.
Secondly, it reflects that at the
end there is one 'husband' who wins the competition. There is only one husband
who wins.
(1) Oko who pays 300,000 francs at
once and becomes Juliette's husband.
2. THE SETTING OF THE PLAY
The play is set in rural area. The Mvoutessi
village where the play is set in the southern part of
East Cameroon. It's a Bulu village
that is built along the road. There is also other settings like town and farms.
02.
THE PLOT OF THE PLAY
INTRODUCTION
The play is divided into five (05)
acts as follows:
ACT
ONE (11 - 19)
|
Men are blaming women. They say
they are lazy and do not respect taboos. First suitor, Ndi, has paid 100,000
francs for Juliette. Juliette comes
from school and she finds out that her family is planning to give her a
husband. Another suitor, Mbia, comes and pays 200,000 francs. |
Atangana and Ondua are blaming their
wives. They say their wives are lazy. Atangana is blaming Makrita for not
coming back early from the farm and Ondua is blaming Monica for refusing to
give him one bottle of arki. Abessolo tells Atangana and Ondua that they have
spoilt their wives. He complains:
"But today, you let your wives
wear clothes!"
"You let them eat all sorts of
taboo animals!"
"You even ask them their
opinion on this and that!"
Abessolo tells them: "I tell
you again, you must beat your wives! Yes, beat them!" (p.12) .
Bella, Abessolo’s wife also supports
her husband and wonders how modern women act. She says;
“I see women eating even vipers,
wild boars, and...." (p.12)
Abessolo warns Atangana why he
always asks women for opinions. He blames Atangana that he nearly refused to
take money from Ndi, a young man and farmer from Awae just to wait and consult
Juliette before accepting the bride-price. Finally, Ndi paid 100,000 francs.
***
Juliette is coming from Dibamba and
her family expects that she will agree with the bride-price from Ndi.
Atangana also says another suitor, a
great civil servant from Sangmelima, is expected to come the same day.
Even Matalina has jealousy for
Juliette, her cousin, because many suitors want her. Matalina says; "How
lucky! My cousin was definitely born with a star on her forehead. She'll soon
have lots of dresses, blonde wigs." (p.13)
***
The men, Ondua, Abessolo and
Antagana think that getting suitor like a government civil servant, the second
suitor, will help them get offers such as free gun permit and other offers in
Sangmelima. Abessolo says; "Remember how long you always have to wait in
front of government offices just because nobody knows you? Now, with such an
important son-in-law, I bet they'll all be going out of their way to attend to
you in Sangmelima." (p.14) Ondua says; "You also know that Madola,
Police Comissioner of Zoetele, keeps arresting me for being drunk and
disorderly, and my wife Monica for illegally distilling arki!" (p.14)
***
The car is heard stopping. It is
Juliette who has just arrived. Matalina runs to the road. Oyono also goes to
the road. Everyone is happy with this coincidence. Atangana says he will break
the good news to Juliette himself. It is the news about the suitors who have
come to pay for Juliette's bride-price.
Juliette greets everyone. She
embraces Oyono and others. She tells everyone that she is fine and she passed
exams as well.
***
When Juliette adds that her school
is expecting more teachers next year, Matalina tells her; "Is your husband
going to let you go back to school?" Now, Juliette wonders how she can get
a husband while she is still studying. (p.14)
Now, Atangana break the news to
Juliette although it is not presented in the way he wanted. He tells her that
they have received 100,000 francs from one suitor and another suitor, a civil
servant, is coming. Juliette sees that that is impossible. She exclaims; "What?
Am I for sale? Are you trying to give me to the highest bidder? Why can't you
ask me my opinion about my own marriage?" (p.15). Abessole becomes angry.
He stands up and warns Juliette and other women. He says; "Since when do
women speak in Mvoutessi?" Juliette defends herself politely and says;
"But I haven't even seen the man you want me to marry! How can you expect
me to love him?" Everyone opposes everything that Juliette says. Juliette
is now all alone. (p.15)
In Atangana's family, everyone wants
Juliette to marry a rich man who can bring wealth to the family. Abessolo says;
"Or perhaps you too are trying to act like so many disobedient girls of
today who run off to marry young men as poor as flies." Juliette becomes
angry and replies; "So you were expecting me to make you rich! Am I a
shop, or some other source of income?" When Oyono brings a chair for
Juliette to sit, Juliette refuses to take it and sits on the floor. She is
angry. (p.16)
Matalina is also against Juliette's
refusal. In this case, Abessolo now believes that girls or women should not be
sent to school. He says; "That proves what I always say: never send your
daughters to secondary school! Look at Matalina who never went to secondary
school! Doesn't she always speak like a sensible and obedient girl?"
Abessolo believes schools have corrupted everything! (p.16)
Makrita, Juliette's mother comes
back from the farm. She congratulates Juliette because her father is giving her
a very hard-working husband. But Abessolo says now they want a civil servant
form Sangmelima. When Juliette tries to speak, Bella interrupts her; "A
girl should never speak when her fathers speaking."
Atangana blames Makrita that she has
spoiled Juliette. But Juliette tells her mother; "You want me to let them
sell me like a goat?" (p.18)
Bella complains about Juliette. She
compares Juliette with Mayrian. She says; "Look here, Juliette do you want
to be a disgrace to us all like your cousin Mayrian who married a
good-for-nothing beggar? A young man who couldn’t even give us enough money
to." (p.18)
When Atangana says he expects to get
free gun permit from the civil servant, Juliette says; "And you really
expect to get all these things through me?" (p.18)
***
Abessolo hints that the bride-price
obtained from Juliette should also be used to pay for Oyono's bride-price. He
says; "...your brother Oyono must pay for the girl he wants to marry in
Ebolowa!" (p.18)
***
Abessolo also wants Juliette to pay
them back after spending money for her studies. He says; "Besides, have
you already paid us back all the money we spent for your studies at Dibamba and
other places?" (p.18)
Ondua compares another man who has
just benefited from his daughter. He says; "Just look at Meka, who once
was the poorest man in Messam! He's now so proud ever since his daughter became
the twelfth wife of the deputy of the Secretary of State. A girl who never went
to secondary school like Juliette and who has already had a concrete house
built for her father." (p.18)
***
The civil servant comes with a car.
Everyone praises him except Juliette who is all alone. Matalina and Oyono are
especially happy. Matalina says; "How lucky! Juliette! You'll no longer
have to walk!" (p.19) Atangana orders Oyono to beat the drum and everyone
in the village to come. All men go to receive the guest. All women go to the
kitchen except Juliette who is very sad. Bella comes back and comforts her
before they all leave. (p.19)
ACT
TWO (20 - 37)
|
Mbia is welcomed at Atangana's
house. He proposes to marry Juliette, but Abessolo says they are related.
Later, Abessolo agrees. Juliette is forced to marry Mbia. She says she is
engaged. She cooperates with Oko, and Kouma to plan a joke for her family. |
Atangana welcomes the villagers to
welcome Mbia. Abessolo welcomes Mbia and Mbia introduces himself. Mbia boasts
himself; "Because of my exceptional abilities, I've been awarded many
medals, many distinctions." (p.20)
Mbarga asks Atangana to tell Mbia he
is the headman of the Mvoutessi village. When Atangana tells him to wait, he
goes and introduce himself. After that Engulu is ordered to bring drinks and
all people start drinking and enjoying. (p.21)
As they drink, Abessolo asks Mbia what has brought him there.
***
Mbia finally asks to marry Juliette;
"I ask you to give me Juliette, Atangana's daughter." (p.22)
Soon, things change. Mbia says he
belongs to Esse tribe, on his mother's side. He is a descendant of Mbidambanes
and that his mother's mother was Yembong. Hearing this, Abessolo opposes that
it is impossible marriage because grandmother of Juliette's grandfather was
also a Yembong. Mbia is surprised and says; "And what about my beer?"
Abessolo orders the villagers; "Return his beer." Mbia orders Engulu;
"Take back the beer! Were leaving!" (p.22)
Mezoe and Ondua opposes Abessolo.
Ondua reminds Atangana that if they don't accept Mbia, it will be difficult for
them to go to Sangmelima.
Mbarga also opposes the idea of not
giving Juliette to Mbia. He points out things they will benefit if Mbia marries
Juliette. He mentions them; Who will set us free from the police? He says that
Mbia will help them get gun permits. Mbia is happy for headman and he rewards
him; "One bottle of wine for the headman!" (p.24).
Mbarga is persuading Mbia to
understand. He says; Our ancestors used to say; "important rivers can only
be recognized by the size of their tributaries." Mbarga hopes that if they
offer Juliette to Mbia, they will get more from him. (p.24).
Mbarga stops talking, but Abessolo
encourages him to continue and orders Oyono to bring the chicken for the
headman. Mbarga continues to talk. He praises Mbia and Mbia is flattered even
more. Mbia orders more 10 bottles of wine for the headman. Mbarga praises Mbia
as he says; "A man I've often seen with the Secretary of State himself. He also says; Who will soon be
elected Mayor." (p.25) Mbia is so happy that he orders a whole case of
wine for Mbarga.
***
Abessolo gives up his idea of
opposing the marriage and agrees with Mbia to marry Juliette and they will
forget about being related. Mbia orders 4 bottles of wine for the old man. When
Abessolo asks Mbia what he has brought, Mbia says he has brought 200,000
francs. Everyone agrees with this amount of money as Mbarga hands amount of
money to Atangana. Mezoe says secondary school girl like Juliette is expensive.
(p.26) Ondua asks Mezoe if Mbia is a bachelor. Mezoe says he is not and says;
he's only got eight wives and he Mezoe believes Juliette will rule other wives
because she is educated. (p.26) Mbia
asks to leave. He says he has to attend an important meeting.
***
But before Mbia leaves, various
Atangana's relatives tell him what they want from him.
Abessolo's wants:
bring me three large loin-cloths, sack of cola nuts, a nice lawn chair. (p.27)
Oyono's wants:
I must have a brand new motorcycle.
Mezoe's wants:
a terylene suit
Ondua's wants:
a large iron bed, a cotton mattress, a big cupboard, 10 cases of red wine, 20
bottles of wine.
Atangana's wants:
I must have a radio-set, with gramophone. I won’t have any of those tiny radio
sets which always tell lies. (.28) Atangana continues; Hercules bicycle, 4
terylene suits, five woolen blankets, a sewing machine with a pedal, ten large
loin-cloths. (p.28). Atanana continues for his wife: a complete set of kitchen
ware, ten sacks of rice of one hundred kilograms each
After Atangana finishes, Mbia goes.
He is seen by Atangana himself and Oyono. Mbarga complains about Atangana's
family that they have forgotten to tell Mbia about gun permit. He says he'll go
in Zoetele and tell him himself. (p.29)
***
Women who were not present during
the decision making, come at last. When Makrita asks what has happened,
Atangana says Mbia has paid 200,000 francs and the marriage is settled. (p.29)
Juliette refuses the offer again. She
says; "Do you really mean to ignore me when you make decisions affecting
me? Couldn't you have consulted me? At least one?" (p.29) All remain
silent.
***
Juliette is angry and says; "I
say I don't want to marry him! Besides, I've already told my mother that I'm
engaged to someone else!" (p.29)
Makrita is appalled by Juliette's
behaviours. Oyono also is angry with Juliette. Atangana talks to the audience
about what Mbia has paid 200,000 francs of which he says;" I'll now be
able to finish paying for the girl my son wants to marry in Ebolowa."
(p.30)
After saying that, he turns to
Juliette. Abessolo also becomes angry about Juliette and he misses his chair
and falls down. (p.30)
Abessolo believes that secondary
school spoils people. He says; "These missionaries came here to corrupt
our land! They certainly taught Juliette to disobey her family." (p. 31)
Matalina, Juliette's cousin
encourages Juliette to marry Mbia but Juliette insists again; "I'm already
engaged!" This time Atangana hears what Juliette has said. He didn't hear
it when she mentioned it for the first time. Atangana tells Juliette;
"Will that man find 300,000 francs to pay back your first suitors?"
Juliette says; "He doesn't even have one franc! He is still studying in
Yaoundé at the Lycee Leclera." All people are shocked by this information
and Oyono rushes back and tells Juliette; "What? A schoolboy in our
family? Never?" "And Juliette says; "And why not?" Then
Oyono tells her; "You know I need lots of money to pay for my future
wife!" Makrita urges Juliette to consider about her brother, but she
refuses and says; "But I'm a free person!" (p.31)
Juliette insists; "I love
someone else!" (p.32).
Because Juliette's boyfriend has no
money, Atangana decides that Juliette will marry Mbia and Juliette bursts into
tears. Juliette opposes her father’s decision; "I don't love him,"
she says. Her father insists that; "You'll love him! You’re going to make
me miss a medal." (p.32).
Makrita encourages Juliette to marry
Mbia. Juliette declares that no one loves her in the family, but Abessolo
replies backs and says she is the one who does not love them despite the good
things they planning for her. Oyono also tells her; "Yes, You don't want
me to get married!" (p.32)
***
Bella calls everyone for food. Makrita
encourages Juliette to eat, but Juliette remains outside, on the stage. She is
waiting for Oko. Soon, Oko appears and she runs to him.
Juliette is very excited to see Oko.
She tells him what has happened to her. Oko replies calmly because he doesn't
know whom they want her to marry. He knows it is him. He thinks that they want
them to get married. But Juliette tells Oko that they want her to marry someone
else, not him. This time, Oko is puzzled. (p.33)
Juliette tells him that one farmer
has paid 100,000 francs and one civil servant has paid 200,000 francs for her.
This time, Oko believes that that is a real disaster now. It's so much money
Oko can't afford to pay. Juliette suggests that she will ask his cousin, Kouma,
to stay with Oko until she comes back. (p.34)
***
Juliette comes with a plan. She
suggests that they should find 300,000 francs for Oko to pay back the previous
suitors. She goes home and promises to come back with 300,000 francs. (p.34)
Oko doesn't understand the plan, but
Juliette tells him that it they are not going to steal money. She says;
"You're simply going to pay a bride-price for me by returning the money to
the people to whom it actually belongs." (p.35)
Kouma comes with his moped. He stops
the engine and parks. Kouma says its inappropriate for Oko to be there
especially after the things which have happened. He tells Oko that he has seen
Mbia at Mbarga's house, his Uncle and they are drinking arki together. Kouma
says his Uncle, Mbarga has introduced him to Mbia, and says he has paid 200,000
francs for Juliette. (p.35)
So, Kouma has decided to rush to
warn Oko and Juliette.
***
As Kouma wants to go and check on
Juliette, Juliette appears and she is carrying a briefcase of 300,000 francs.
Oko and Kouma are surprised. Juliette tells them that they will soon
understand. She says they should play a good joke on all the people.
Oko and Kouma take the money and go.
The plan is like this: Oko will be the suitor and he will pay 300,000 francs.
After all no one knows that Oko is Juliette's boyfriend and no one has seen him
or Kouma. So, when people see Oko, they will believe that he is a real suitor.
(p.36)
Juliette promises to go to Oko and
Kouma after she finishes cooking in the evening so that they can plan what to
do. Kouma starts his old moped and they go off and the curtain falls. (p.36)
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