Study guide
Tshepang The Third Testaments - Notes on Play
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- English
break down of Tshepang including notes on symbolism, analysing quotes and themes
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TSHEPANG THE THIRDTESTAMENT
The story of Tshepang is a microcosm of stories alike.
The Title
“Tshepang” – means hope/savior
“the third testament”- biblical. Questioning whether the story is a reflection of our society
today. Isn’t all negative, the miracle is in the baby surviving.
The Romans crucified Jesus; the community crucified Baby Tshepang.
In the bible, Ruth was a poor foreigner. In the play, Ruth is a poor, helpless and isolated girl.
In the bible, Simon was a leper that was visited by Jesus. A reference to how Simon was
isolated from the community.
Ruth’s silence?
Silence is a way of communication. Her silence gives life to the concepts of vulnerability,
alienation and lack of basic comfort. She is so burdened that she cannot speak. Her
helplessness neutralizes our anger. Ruth’s silence brings no healing, its Simon’s speaking
that does.
Throughout the play, Ruth remains silent and reacts to Simon’s narration. In some cases she
is agitated and in others, she remains still, almost reflecting stages of grief from denial to
acceptance.
Silence
Her silence throughout the play puts emphasis on the last line/her first line
“Tshepang”
Shows hurt and guilt
Emphasizes her reactions. Agitation etc.
Ruth finally breaking her silence shows that Simon sharing her story was part of the
healing process.
“Silence” creates a stillness which suggests her emptiness
Even though she is silent, she is reacting. “Sits down with Ruth, they share a
moment of intimacy.”
However, her reactions are often dismissive. “He offers Ruth a loaf of bread and
some wine. She moves away in disgust […]”
, THINKING POINTS:
This play is emotionally taxing. Someone with the physical ability and emotional grit
to portray her emotion.
The bed symbolizes the guilt she carries around with her. The burden.
Beds are normally a positive image linked with: rest, restoration and comfort.
However, the bed represents how the baby was meant to feel rest, restoration and
comfort but she felt the complete opposite as that was where she was raped. Both
beds link to the tragedy that took place.
The sun is oppressive, much like the outside world. The sun is harsh, viewing from
afar. The sun is unrelenting. (Link between temperature and behavior. – soaring
temperature = irritable)
Shows alcohol abuse in poverty-stricken areas.
Existence is tedious. – also, a political comment as no one intervenes either…
Everyone in the town is linked to what happens as Simon reenacts and tells the
story. By Simon reenacting other characters, it draws them into the situation holding
them accountable one way or another.
Sarah introduces the theme of sexuality. She’s numb, hardened and desensitized.
People involved in violence perpetuate violence
He uses euphemism because she is a victim. By the end of the play we would’ve
developed an understanding and compassion. Simon demonstrates this
understanding first hand by his choice of words.
Deals with the devaluing of woman. No “houman” as men cannot be “kept”, but
woman can.
Using colloquial terms keeps the play authentic to the community.
Although she remains silent, she is still observant. She responds to what Simon says
when it evokes memories. She reacts to “Kwa! Kwa! Kwa!” in response to Sarah.
Artists are observant people and pay attention to detail. Because they observe the
world in a different light, they are compassionate.
Consider the discussion we have had on silence (as a theme). Would the play
have been equally effective/powerful if Ruth had told her own story.
Ruth’s trauma is evident in her silence. She is in loss of words. – the impact of the
events on her are central to the play. She isn’t able to tell her own story. Simon’s
narration is healing.
The male voice had more power. Because she’s not telling her own story, the
story isn’t immediately dismissed.
Her non-verbal communication is powerful itself.
We benefit from hearing the story from a compassionate narrator.
Section 3
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