What I learn about the history of theatre from this play is that race was a controversial topic to discuss. In Jenkins prologue, as a playwright, Jenkins had been accused of deconstructing African folktales when he developed his story with animals as the characters. When developing plays based on race, it limits the practice of theatre in this play. Jenkins got actors that felt uncomfortable and refused to play as slave owners that resulted in the shortage of cast members for the play. However, it taught Jenkins about “... recognizing your limits” (page 9) and made Jenkins to use others mean like using face paint to portray the actors.
Identify two major themes from this play. What does Branden Jacob-Jenkins say about the themes through this play? What do you think about what he says/asks?
Theme 1 …show more content…
The setting of this play takes place when slavery is legal at the plantation terrebonne in Louisiana. I feel that Jenkins is trying to challenge our idea about race and make us sympathise because the story focuses on Zoe being an octoroon in which the individual is ⅛ black. Zoe is viewed as a beautiful young slave girl who is treated very nicely by the host family and adored by men who sees her. This is evident because George and M’Closky showed affection towards her. As Zoe being ⅛ black, Zoe is part of the Terrebonne property, which M’Closky tries to buy the property so he can get Zoe. What I think about Jenkin thoughts on race is that is an topic that needs to be viewed. Racism is subject that can’t be buried under history because it makes people uncomfortable. We see that Zoe get upset in the story because how it is taboo when George ask Zoe to marry
Identify two major themes from this play. What does Branden Jacob-Jenkins say about the themes through this play? What do you think about what he says/asks?
Theme 1 …show more content…
The setting of this play takes place when slavery is legal at the plantation terrebonne in Louisiana. I feel that Jenkins is trying to challenge our idea about race and make us sympathise because the story focuses on Zoe being an octoroon in which the individual is ⅛ black. Zoe is viewed as a beautiful young slave girl who is treated very nicely by the host family and adored by men who sees her. This is evident because George and M’Closky showed affection towards her. As Zoe being ⅛ black, Zoe is part of the Terrebonne property, which M’Closky tries to buy the property so he can get Zoe. What I think about Jenkin thoughts on race is that is an topic that needs to be viewed. Racism is subject that can’t be buried under history because it makes people uncomfortable. We see that Zoe get upset in the story because how it is taboo when George ask Zoe to marry