NOTHING BUT THE TRUTHJohn Kani

Why is this play important:

Look at the dictionary definition

Listen to what John Kani has to say about the play – page 4 & 5 of your booklet – article from the web

ca⋅thar⋅sis [kuh-thahr-sis] noun, plural -ses  /-siz/ . 1. the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, esp. through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music. 2. Psychiatry. a. psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects. b. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.

Link this to the play…

mi·cro·cosm  n1. a little world; a world in miniature. 2. anything that is regarded as a world in miniature. 3. human beings, humanity, society, or the like, viewed as an epitome or miniature of the world or universe.n.  A small, representative system having analogies to a larger system in constitution, configuration, or development: "He sees the auto industry as a microcosm of the U.S. itself" (William J. Hampton).

Questions (what does the play teach us about these?)

1. What makes reconciliation possible between two family members or two political enemies?

2. If you had to choose between punishing or forgiving the person who committed a crime against you, which would you do?

3. Is it better to fight a corrupt regime from inside the country or from abroad?

4. How do you convince someone to speak openly about a past secret, especially if it’s a painful one?

Possible Themes:

*** find quotes from the play to prove your point about what you say about the following themes!

Culture (differences / similarities) Reconciliation (TRC / family / between

groups of people: white and black / black and black)

SA – post 1994 (changes / opportunities / negatives / etc)

Truth (nothing but the truth? / does it set you free/release you/or complicate things? / does the play set you free? / oath=taken at TRC)

Tensions in black community – exiles vs. those who stayed

Themes and ideas continued… TRC – was it successful? For whom? African culture vs. Western culture.

(London vs African / respect / decisions / independence / abuntu)

Are the ‘small’ people being rewarded for their part in the Struggle?

Ageism - jobs Forgiveness – white and black / apartheid

violence / infidelity / jealousy /the play looks at the difficulty of this –how?

Jealousy – sibling rivalry

Characterisation:

Character pages:

- Are they round / flat?- Do they change, develop, etc.- Do they represent society in SA or

abroad?- Do they highlight or link to themes?

SIPHO

Thando

= ‘Love’ Only daughter of Sipho Teacher Works as interpreter at Amnesty

Hearings of TRC Characteristics /Personality

= how does she treat her father?= how does she feel about TRC?= how does she change / does she change? (why or why not?)

Mandisa

= ‘enjoyment’ ‘fulfilment in happiness’English –born nieceHer father is Themba

Her personality – at the start of the play compared to the end?

Why is she the way she is?

What does Themba represent ?

Names:

Themba = hope / trust in someone (ironic?)

Xolile = forgiveness

Tasks for next couple of days: In pairs or groups: 1. decide on a theme and a character

and create a note on each. 2. we will discuss (discussion mark) and

share notes

Microcosm CatharsisInter-personal relationshipsExploration of…

WORDS / PHRASES