Thematic Analysis of Selected Amharic Plays: A Sociological Approach.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study is a thematic analysis of three selected Amharic plays, that is, Mistru, Alkash ena Zefagn and Babylon be salon. It endeavors to examine the role of plays in reflecting society and identify how the society is portrayed in the plays. To this end, the three sociological perspectives, functionalism, conflict and symbolic interactionism theories are used as framework. Analyzing the plays using these sociological perspectives, the researcher believes that it will result in
understanding the value of plays in mirroring the society. Accordingly, extracts from the play will be thematically analyzed from sociological point of view, to demonstrate as to how the plays portrayed the society. The study has shown that the plays portray the society by their functional and dysfunctional aspects. For instance, the major theme in the play Mistru is justice. The play uses search of justice as a cause of unity for a society. Besides, societies respect for social values is reflected through the play. But still, betrayals are also seen as part of the society. Alkash ena Zefagn’s major theme is found to be interdependence. The play portrays the society as interdependent. With interdependence having a constructive value, it is also seen being a reason for conflict that is conflict of interest. After all, the reason for conflict is not only interdependence; rather it is poverty adding to it. The other play Babylon beSalon’s major theme is obstinacy, the playwright used marriage to reflect such a theme. It symbolically indicates any and every relationship within a society. As a whole, the playwrights used the valuable and major aspects of society, which are justice, happiness and sorrow, and marriage. This all seems to be parts of individual’s lives, but they are issues of a society as well. And the plays showed the facts that people may not easily accept when told directly using humor and aesthetic beauty of art.
Description
Keywords
Amharic plays