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 of the old woman, the audience hears Gros Jean complaining that once more they have nothing to eat. Readers further learn that the two older sons fail to bring back items they can use to prepare food - Gros did not find any wood to make a fire and Mi-Jean did not catch any fish, mainly because he was so engrossed in his book that he forgot the bait. Religion is also notable as a theme because the mother is portrayed as a religious person who depends on God to protect and provide for them. When her older sons voice their frustration with their poverty stricken state, she gives reassurance that God will "send [them] something". The supernatural is another theme to be considered as the appearance of the Bolom and the devil's minions signals that there will be a clash between good and evil. These themes will be developed further as the play progresses.

2. Characters: The prologue also introduces key characters. The readers learn about the different brothers. The eldest, Gros Jean, is arrogant and proud of his physical strength. Mi-Jean reads a lot of books and sees himself in a superior light because of his knowledge. Ti-Jean is the youngest and the one who is accused of doing the least work and generally viewed as "useless". Readers also learn about the mother's unwavering faith in God, and her compassionate nature is featured when she attempts to comfort the Bolom. The Bolom's backstory - that of him being aborted - is shared. Additionally, the creatures of the forest are presented in the prologue. We are introduced to frog (the animal that tells most of the folktale), a firefly, a cricket and a bird. These creatures deliver their own commentary on the family and the devil.

3. Setting: The setting of the play is also established because the reader learns that the events are taking place in a forest. The reader also learns that the mother and her sons live in a hut (one that is at the edge of the forest) and its condition is a reflection of the poverty that they are experiencing. Through stage directions, the reader learns that the hut has an empty bowl and a bare table.

4. Plot: The prologue advances the plot. It is in the prologue that the devil issues a challenge to the brothers. According to the Bolom, the devil desires to feel human emotions. If they are able to make him feel emotion (such as anger) the devil will grant them wealth but if they get him upset he will eat them. It is each brother's attempt to outsmart the devil that will be the focus of the acts. With the issuing and accepting of the challenge, a conflict presents itself and there is suspense to see who will win the challenge.

Of course, I am certain that as you do repeated close readings of the prologue, you will recognise additional ways that the prologue is significant. This is the beauty of analysing a text. 

It is very important for you to be aware of the prologue's significance. You should also be prepared to discuss its significance in the examination.


Stay tuned for a blog post featuring Act 1 of Ti-Jean and His Brothers.


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Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 17, 2021 at 4:21 PM

    Wow, this was posted at a great time, we just stared this book. Thank you so much for the help with understanding the text.

    ReplyDelete

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