THEMES IN FATOUMATTA BAYO’S SORROWS
OF A STEPMOTHER
Theme refers
to the main or central idea that are embedded in a literary work. There are more
than one theme in most of the literary works depending on the author’s choice. Importantly,
themes are more overt than others. In other words, some themes are clearly portrayed
with much evidence in the text to support their existence.
However,
themes realized or spotted from literary works are usually done by the readers
or viewers who in their rationalization feel a particular idea is central.
In Sorrows of
a Stepmother, there are series of themes that are very overt. These includes but
not limited to theme of early marriage, love, molestation, regret, and
forgiveness.
THEME OF EARLY MARRIAGE
The focus of
Sorrows of a Stepmother is on Vivian and her first marriage. Vivian at 17 years
has been morally induced by her mother to marry Buuba who is married to two and
blessed with four children. This marriage due to Vivian’s age has attracted a
lot of discomfort on Vivian and extensionally and reflectively on the Drammeh
family. Ironically, Vivian who already achieved wifehood surrenders to her
co-wives as if she is their daughter. This is due to the age gap between Vivian
and her co-wives.
Vivian’s
friend, Lili also married at a young age (19 years) to Ibrahima. Unlike Vivian,
Lili married to Ibrahima out of his own volition. She believes it is the right
thing to do thereby encouraging Vivian to follow the same trend (marrying at a
younger age). The marriage experience of Lili is parrel to that of Vivian. The former
is lucky to live harmoniously among her new family while the latter seemingly met
the worst in her marriage.
THEME OF LOVE
Love in Bayo’s
Sorrows of a Stepmother is outstanding and multifold. The three forms of love
that stands out are affectionate love, familial love, and romantic love.
As a loyalty
driven love, affectionate love is plainly portrayed in various relationships in
the play. There exists a firm affection between Vivian and Lili. This led to Lili
owning a new house from Vivian and her husband. The duo has been friends before
and during their marriages albeit their marriage hindering their friendship to
some extent. Affectionate love exists between Usaay and Umi (wives of Buuba). But
this is induced by their common hatred against Vivian. The presence of Vivian serves
as a catalyst for their unity, a unity they utilize to constantly turn the
world to a hell for Vivian.
Romantic
love is visible in all the marriages highlighted in the play. But it is more
visible in the marriage between Vivian and Os. From the time of Os' proposal to Vivian
to the end of the play is highly characterized by romance. There is an open
romantic statement in every conversation between Vivian and Os. In fact, the
last words from Vivian and Os at the tail part of the text is “I love you”. There
is also a bit of romantic love between old Buuba and the young Vivian before the
tragic end of their marriage. This is evident in the aftermath of their fight
caused by Usaay and Umi.
Familial
love is also central in the text. This can be seen in all the families in the
play but promoted by different reasons. The familial love among Buuba Drammeh’s
family was vividly promoted by their shared hatred against the innocent Vivian.
Ibrahima Ceesay’s family too initially had the same set-up, but later convinced
by the “chat” (youngest in the family), the bold and adamant Fatima to tolerate
the presence of Lili in the family. Unlike Buuba’s family, this effort by
Fatima triggered more peace in Ibrahima’s family.
THEME OF MOLESTATION
Molested in
the play is only Vivian, and the molesters are all the family members of Buuba
Drammeh including Buba himself. However, it is relevant to highlight that Buba’s
single molestation against Vivian materialized because he was tricked by Usaay
and Umi with the pretence that Vivian is outside home for her stubbornness.
The rest of
the molestation that Vivian endured was met on her by the sextet (Usaay and Umi
and their respective children). She endured so many forms of molestation except
that of sexual. It can be insinuated that the title of the text “Sorrows of a
Stepmother” is carved from this theme. This is because Vivian as a stepmother
had a sorrowful matrimonial experience in his first marriage (with Buuba). In fact,
the whole play revolves around this theme. Without the molestation Vivian will
not meet Os and the Buuba’s family may not also experience the curse.
THEME OF REGRET
Regrets are
the offspring of some valuable lessons. Many lessons were learned by various
characters in the play, causing regret for some of them. Most of the regrets
come from the mistreatment of Vivian especially by the cursed family of Buuba.
Buuba as the
first to regret his action against Vivian was timely. This is so because he was
lucky enough to realize the truth, apologized to Vivian and then avoided further
maltreatment of her.
Adama,
Vivian’s mother and Lili, her friend all regret for encouraging Vivian to a
marriage where he endured abundance of suffering. They proposed the best for
Vivian, but Vivian unluckily met the worst. Their actual dream was for Vivian
to be happily married and make her mother and the community proud, but that
hope was assassinated by Usaay and Umi with the help of their children.
The worst
regret is the regret of the naughty sextet (Usaay, Umi and their children). Out
of their volition they inflicted a lot of suffering on Vivian before and after
the death of their husband. They reached to the extreme of sending Vivian away
from the home in a gruesome manner. Their regret is not merely due to a
reflection on their actions, but a perceived curse due to their actions. While
Usaay and Umi had their regret at the last seconds before their death, their
children suffered for so long before completely understanding their curse and
subsequently to their seeking of forgiveness from Vivian.
THEME OF FORGIVENESS
I brought
this theme last because it is always the last thing to do in any reconciliation
process: accepting mistakes, apologizing to the victims and forgiveness. It also
happens always at the tail end of plays or other literary works like it happened
in the Sorrows of a Stepmother.
Fatoumatta
as a creative author, did not only unveil wickedness, but also reveal
positivity. All actions that were regretted were forgiven by the endurer
(Vivian). Vivian, a patient, committed, hardworking, romantic and a humble
character do not hesitate to forgive all those who made mistake against her
regardless of the extreme nature of their cruelties.
The main character,
Vivian forgives her husband for being tricked to beat her. She also forgives
her mother and her close friend for pushing her to marriage at a tender age to
an old man resulting to her sufferings.
The children
of Usaay and Umi also enjoyed the forgiveness of Vivian leading to the
nullification of their curse. She even has the heart to allow them to eat in
her house at that juncture of reconciliation.
Lili also
forgives her co-wives who were initially hostile to her. This was possible due
to Fatima’s efforts in ensuring that Lili is accepted in the family. Lili would
have faced the same scenario as that of Vivian.
Vivian’s
story had an influence on Binta who according to herself often fight her own
stepmother. She promised not to fight her stepmother again because of the fear
that she may be cursed like her friend who together with her siblings are
believed to meet their worst because of maltreating Vivian.
NOTE: The
themes discussed above are the perspective of myself as a reader. It does not
in any way contains the direct assertion of the author.
This is amazing bro!!
ReplyDeleteKeep penning
This is perfect. You are a literary guru. Just stick to one type of tense (past or present). This is well-penned.
ReplyDeleteAwww! Detailed themes analysis. Keep it up UTG 'Alkali'. Lolz....
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, Faback!
ReplyDeleteTo Fatoumatta Bayo, I can't wait to read your books. You're great!
Well done
ReplyDeleteKeep it up
This is indeed interesting and educative brother. Keep penning and work more on your tenses.
ReplyDeleteJenggiba you did excellent. I'm so amazed with what you have written. Ever since you wrote this, when ever people text and request for the book's theme. I send this right away.I don't have to write any other theme for I couldn't have gotten a better one than this. Thanks to you. This is very much appreciated Sir.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Masha Allah
ReplyDelete