Themes Of Gem Of The Ocean

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Gem of the Ocean is a play centered on individual characters dealing with the tribulations of being African-American and underprivileged and their strive to overcome. The play was written by African-American playwright August Wilson famous for his plays depicting lives of people who were relating to the black experience. Although Gem of the Ocean was not one of most famous plays it still plays an important role in his legacy. The play takes place in the 20th century a period when African Americans were recently freed by the emancipation proclamation. The story mainly revolves around Aunt Ester ( Ancestor ) an aged woman whose guidance and wisdom is often needed by the other following characters in the play. August Wilson uses several characters …show more content…
Living in this time period people of color have to be realistic due to the limitations set by their situations. Caesar Wilkes a practical character with the role as the pariah of the community in the play. Accepting his reality and being practical he makes the best of situation because he knows he has no real power to change anything. Solly in his monologue before his death “ The people might get mad but freedom got a high price. You got to pay. No matter what it cost “ ( Solly 2.3) . Subliminally Solly accepts his fate to die because he realizes that is the reality of the …show more content…
Citizen’s personal fight for freedom began when he escaped the south for southerners not allowing the African Americans to leave. During this expedition he murders someone and becomes lost. Citizen throughout his arc in Gem of the Ocean seeks forgiveness and to be cleansed from his inner demons. He seeks to be free from his past and he makes a spiritual expedition to the city of bones to be absolved from his sins. Confessing so the gate can open symbolizes him cleansing his soul “ My name is Citizen Barlow. I stole the bucket of nails….. The Gate’s opening “ ( Citizen 2.2). By achieving his freedom from his suffering in the south and spiritual freedom from his inner demons he is the perfect example of how blacks must fight for

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