Dilemma of A Ghost - Gbenle

Name: Gbenle Olorunoje isaac
Matric : 170108041
Course code : THA 311
Course title : Modern African Drama and Theatre
Lecturer in charge : Dr. Lekan Balogun
Assignment : In what ways does Dilemma Of A Ghost Addresses the Society.

Sites examples from the Igbo and Yoruba
The Dilemma of a Ghost is a drama written by the Ghanaian playwright Ama

Ata Aidoo.
Ama Ata Aidoo’s ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost’ is a meticulous and thought-provoking
rendition of the struggles we face choosing an identity
IDENTITY
The focus of the drama ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost’ captures the trans-generational
differences in the viewpoints of African Americans and those who are native Africans.
But it indirectly raises issues of diminishing boundary lines in defining people’s
identities. The Dilemma of a Ghost essentially creates a space for us to negotiate our
identities in an era with many identity clashes where the boundary lines are getting
blurry.
Who is an African? This is thought provoking as territoriality or links to African

ancestry, limitedly defines an African. Does a conscious commitment to the cause of
Africa legitimize one’s claim on the African identity? Is an African just a dark
skinned man or woman? Of course it is simply not a racial category. Pondering on this
question makes one realise just how fluid the African Identity, just like other identities
have become.
MARRIAGE AND CHILD BIRTH

As presented in the play, marriage is a life-long contract, which prospers when there
are children in it. It is uncommon for instance, for Ato, an African, to tell his fiancée
that they are going to make a good family with or without children. However, his
people hold a contrary opinion: his education has dissuaded him from his root. So he
no longer believes in the very tradition, which bears his childhood. Confused over the
strangeness in her brother’s behaviour, Monka blares out: “The master scholar was
sitting on the chair studying, so he could not move off! After all, what is he learning?
Is it the knowledge of the leopard skin?” (p.14)
In addition to the issue of marriage is the theme of childbearing. As if there were no
other reasons people get married except to raise children, The Dilemma of a Ghost
stresses this issue in such a way that one might want to think that an African woman is
a machine built only for producing children. However, if one looks closely, this
assertion is close to the truth. There have emerged in many African plays and novels,
stories of how the African woman is relegated and maltreated due to her inability to
bear a child. E.g A Woman in her Prime by Asare Konadu. This play also talks about
barrenness as a fatal misfortune for African women. This particular issue is common
in several African Communities let’s take the Yoruba’s for Example. The Yoruba
people of the Southwestern Nigeria view Marriage and childbirth as an essential part
of a woman’s existence and failure to achieve this leads to the woman being mocked
and ridiculed in the society.
SUPERSTITIONS
Superstitious beliefs are very common among African societies. In sorting out issues
most people view them from the spirit world perspective. For example Eulalie and Ato
have decided to use birth control and have children when they want them. But this
society believes there is something wrong with Eulalie’s womb so she must be
purified to be able to conceive. Even Ato wonders why it should be done this way. He
asks his uncle; “Uncle, did you say you are
going to use the medicine to wash my wife’s stomach? (p.43)
His uncle insists that it is a serious matter that forced them to summon a meeting upon
which they decided especially that he must give his grandmother a great-grandchild
before she leaves them (dies). So he gives him the procedures how they are going to
apply the herbal concoction they brought.
Some cultures in Nigeria are also very Superstitious, for example the Yorubas and the
Igbo communities. They usually believe something spiritual is hindering their
women’s childbirth. They therefore make sacrifices, perform some traditional rites or
make herbal concoctions for their females in other for them to conceive.
CONCLUSION
I still have more points to discuss about but we are restricted to a maximum of two
pages so Below are some of the issues I think the Author is trying address in The
society.
Wife beating is not a solution to family conflicts. It should be discarded.
People should be given reproductive health education such as birth control.
Educated people should use their education to solve the problems of their people.
Bride price is an outdated custom it should be discarded.
Change does not take place overnight, one should be given time to adjust.
We should fight against betrayal and hypocrisy.
Choosing spouses for the youths is an outdated custom. The concerned parties should
be left to follow their hearts and parents can just provide guidance and counselling.
We should not look down upon women who are barren. Children are gifts from God if
someone fails to get one it’s not her fault.
We should fight against superstitious beliefs. They create unnecessary fear among the
members of the society.
We should know our identity and be proud of the same no matter where we are.

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Name: Gbenle Olorunoje isaac

Assignment : In what ways does Dilemma Of A Ghost Addresses the Society.

The Dilemma of a Ghost is a drama written by the Ghanaian playwright Ama

Who is an African? This is thought provoking as territoriality or links to African

MARRIAGE AND CHILD BIRTH

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