Issues and Thematic Concerns in The Samaritan Act 4 Scene 1
.jpeg "Themes in The Samaritan Act 4 Scene 1")
1. Religion
Harvester claims that he has been doing his Christian duty as a leader to obey
Mayor Mossi; he says that he will be crucified for the things the Mayor tells him to do (P. 115).
His whole family- wife, children and himself- are fasting and praying, trusting God to get him out of the mess and that God hasn't failed the innocent (P.115).
2. Abuse of Office and Misuse of Power
Mayor Mossi has instructed lawyers acting for the municipal council to file cases against Hon. Ramdaye, Hon. Seymour, Hon. Ted and Hon. Basdeo and jail them as soon as is legally possible (P.115).
Harvester testifies that Hon. Mossi has been behind all the wrongs he has conducted including stealing (P.115).
3. Corruption
Jaden says that he can't convict Hon. Basdeo and Hon. Ramdaye since he has benefited from them and had paid him shares of company that the municipal council is suing (P.116).
Jaden reveals that judges do not operate in a vacuum. The ethos prevailing in society influences thinking and action. His ruling are in many respects a reflection of the prevailing culture in society (P.116).
Jaden confesses that rodents are tormenting him beyond measure, he has been seeing rats and other rodents running all over the place even when his eyes are wide open (P.117).
4. Fear
Harvester fears that the Mayor will do anything to jail the quartet –Ramdaye, Ted, Seymour, and Basdeo (P. 115).
Jaden confesses that the Mayor’s demand to jail the quartet has put him in a dilemma (P.115).
Jaden fears that the inspector of police who owns Madingo Golf Club has spat on his food somewhere in the kitchen (P.117).
5. Greed and Egocentrism/ Selfishness
Jaden convinces Harvester that if they come together they win against The Samaritan and he should reach to the accused, share the idea and hold a meeting as soon as possible in his chambers the following day (P.118-119).
6. Betrayal
Both Jaden and Harvester break the law and betray the people of Maracus when they participate in public looting and injustice. They also struggle to cover that up instead of facing the law.
7. Blasphemy
Jaden calls Harvester, man of god, yet he is involved in a number of crimes.
Harvester tells Jaden that he is being crucified and all he has done is due to having a duty to obey his leader (P.115). On the contrary, God does calls upon us to be wise and make better judgement.
He also says that his entire family is fasting and praying in trust that God will get him out of the mess for he has not known his God to fail him. In reality he had all the sense to do what was right and failed to do so (P.115).
8. Conflict
The two parties ruling the Municipal are up in arms and Jaden realizes such a division is working against them (P.118).
Jaden experiences an internal conflict for he is told by Mossi to ensure he prosecute the quartet or else his crime be exposed. He is entangled in their crime and lacks a better decisions (P.116