Theory question 103
Set Text: Sons and DaughtersLiterature 2, Section A. Joe de Graft: Sons and Daughters
“Our society is sold on money: nothing is worth anything unless it brings money”. How does this statement reflect an aspect of the conflict in the play?
Show the model answer
James Ofosu, the father, values careers by the money and status they bring.
He wants his son Aaron to be an engineer and his daughter Maanan to be a lawyer.
Aaron wants to be an artist and Maanan a dancer; James scorns the arts as worthless because they don't pay.
This is the central conflict between father and children, and between materialism and self-fulfilment.
Lawyer Bonu, James's friend, offers to help Maanan but tries to seduce her: wealth and status hide corruption.
Hannah supports the children; friends like Awere argue for the value of the arts.
Resolution: James learns that his children's talents have worth beyond money and accepts their choices.
Relate the statement to the main conflict.