The Prologue's Significance in 'Ti-Jean and His Brothers'
Before we explore the significance of the prologue, let us look at a definition of prologue as used in a play. Definition: A prologue is found at the beginning of a literary work and is used to provide background details or establish the context. When you consider significance , think importance , purpose or relevance . As you read the prologue, ask yourself: Why did Derek Walcott choose to begin the play with a prologue? What did he hope to achieve? It is in answering these questions that you will recognise that the prologue in Ti-Jean and His Brothers is significant for several reasons. 1. Themes: It introduces important themes that will be explored in the play. Themes such as poverty, the supernatural and religion are brought to the readers' attention in the prologue. It is clear that the family is very poor. They live in a hut and the mother who has lost her husband has struggled to provide for her family. When the light comes up on the three sons sitting around the knees