The Convert (Danai Gurira)

This section explores the play The Convert by Danai Gurira, focusing on: the structure, setting, staging, characters, themes and the historical and cultural context of the play. The Convert (2012) by Danai Gurira is a powerful, thought-provoking drama set in colonial Zimbabwe during the early 20th century. The play explores the intersection of colonialism, religion, identity, and cultural change through the experiences of a young woman named Jekesai, who converts to Christianity in the hope of escaping a troubled past. The narrative focuses on the emotional and cultural tensions between African traditions, the influence of Western colonial powers, and the personal journeys of the characters as they navigate a rapidly changing world.

Structure

• Three Acts: The Convert is structured in three acts, which allow the drama to develop gradually, exploring the evolving conflict between traditional African beliefs and the new Christian religion imposed by colonial powers.
• Character Development: The structure places a strong emphasis on character development, particularly Jekesai (who later adopts the name Esther) and her inner transformation, as well as the ideological and moral conflicts between the other characters. The play moves from a personal, intimate drama to a broader social and cultural commentary as the stakes increase.
• Shift in Power Dynamics: Each act sees the characters wrestle with the effects of colonialism, religion, and gender roles, leading to a dramatic shift in the power dynamics, both between the characters and within their own hearts. The dialogue is often intense and rapid, reflecting the growing tension and urgency surrounding the characters’ personal and political struggles.
• Flashbacks and Time Jumps: The play incorporates flashbacks and time shifts, particularly as characters reflect on their past experiences and motivations. This adds depth to their personal histories and allows the audience to see how they have been shaped by their environment and circumstances.

Setting

• Colonial Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), Early 20th Century: The play is set in a period when colonial rule is firmly established in Zimbabwe, and it portrays the way colonial powers sought to impose their culture, religion, and values on African communities. The central conflict is grounded in the tension between traditional African customs and the Christian missionary activities that accompany the colonial presence.

    Key Locations:

• Missionary House: The central setting is the home of Father Hieronymus, a Christian missionary, where Jekesai is taken after her conversion. The missionary house symbolises the cultural and religious forces at work in the colonised society.
• Village: The play also references Jekesai’s village, where her past and the traditional, pre-colonial world she came from are juxtaposed with the new world of colonial rule and Christianity.
• The stark contrast between these settings highlights the broader societal shift occurring during this time, as Western ideals infiltrate African culture, often with destructive consequences for indigenous beliefs.

Staging

• Minimalist Set Design: The staging in The Convert typically features minimalist set designs that focus on creating distinct spaces for the different settings (such as the missionary house or the village). The design uses symbolic elements to evoke a sense of place, with lighting and sound playing significant roles in distinguishing between reality and the characters’ inner emotional states.
• Character Movement and Proximity: The staging is often intimate, particularly in scenes between Jekesai and other characters like Father Hieronymus or Mazvita, a fellow convert. The proximity of the actors often emphasises the personal, psychological drama at play—particularly the tensions of conversion and identity.
• Symbolic Use of Space: The missionary house is physically segregated from the indigenous world in the play, and the movement of characters within these spaces reinforces their changing allegiances. For instance, when Jekesai is inside the missionary house, the space may feel oppressive or distant from her roots, while when she is outside, in the village or with other Africans, the space feels more free and alive.
• Costumes and Props: The costumes reflect the characters' shifting identities. For example, Jekesai’s transformation into Esther is marked by a change in clothing that signifies her conversion to Christianity, reflecting her changing internal beliefs. Props like Christian texts (such as Bibles) and traditional African artefacts also symbolise the characters' internal conflict between two worlds.

Historical and Cultural Context

• Colonial Zimbabwe (Rhodesia): The play is set during the early 20th century, a time when colonial powers were exerting control over African societies. The British colonial rule in Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia) sought to impose Western ideals through Christianity, disrupting and often undermining indigenous African cultures and belief systems.
• Christian Missionaries: The arrival of Christian missionaries in Africa was part of the broader colonial project to civilise African communities according to Western standards. Missionaries sought to convert Africans to Christianity, often positioning the religion as a path to social mobility and acceptance within colonial society, but it also represented a challenge to traditional African beliefs and practices.
• Gender and Social Roles: The play also addresses the complex role of gender in colonial society. In a patriarchal African society, the women in the play are often subjugated and forced into difficult positions. Christianity offers the possibility of escape, but it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly for women, who are subject to male authority within the church.
• Cultural Identity: The Convert explores the theme of cultural identity crisis—how colonisation creates divided loyalties and forces individuals to negotiate their personal values and traditions. Characters are caught between two worlds: their traditional African heritage and the new identity imposed by European colonialism.

 Characters

• Jekesai/Esther: The central character of the play, Jekesai is a young, impoverished African woman who converts to Christianity, taking the name Esther. Her character represents the internal and external conflicts faced by colonised Africans—struggling to preserve her African identity while navigating the pressures to assimilate into a new world dominated by colonial and religious authority. Esther’s emotional and psychological journey forms the heart of the play as she questions her beliefs and desires.
• Father Hieronymus: A Catholic missionary who runs the mission and plays a pivotal role in Esther’s conversion. He embodies the colonial ideology of civilising the native populations through the imposition of Western values and religion. Although well-meaning, his authority and paternalistic attitude towards Esther highlight the colonial power dynamics at play. His role in Esther’s life is both nurturing and controlling.
• Mazvita: A fellow African convert to Christianity, Mazvita provides a contrast to Esther. Mazvita is devout and fully embraces her new Christian identity. While Mazvita represents the potential benefits of embracing Christianity (such as social acceptance), she also embodies the dangers of losing one’s cultural identity in the process.
• Chigudu: A local African man who represents traditional African culture. He is resistant to the changes brought about by the missionaries and sees them as a threat to his way of life. His character represents the tension between maintaining cultural traditions and the encroaching influence of colonial powers.
• Other Minor Characters: The play also features various secondary characters, including villagers and other figures who reflect the diversity of African responses to colonialism and religion. These characters help to create a fuller picture of the societal impact of colonial rule.

Themes

• Colonialism and Cultural Conflict: The play explores how colonialism seeks to undermine African culture, while at the same time offering opportunities for social mobility through Christianity. It grapples with the tension between preserving cultural heritage and adopting foreign beliefs to survive in a colonised world.
• Identity and Transformation: Esther’s journey from Jekesai to Esther symbolises the process of identity transformation that many colonised people faced. This theme examines the personal cost of conversion, both spiritually and culturally. The play reflects on the loss of self and the struggle to find a balance between the demands of colonialism and the desire to maintain cultural integrity.
• Religion as Power and Control: Christianity, as introduced by the missionaries, is not just a religious faith but a tool of colonial control. The play delves into how religion can be both a source of hope and empowerment but also a mechanism for subjugation and assimilation.
• Gender and Patriarchy: Gender roles are another key theme in The Convert, particularly as they relate to African women’s autonomy within colonial societies. The women in the play are caught in a system that restricts their freedom, but Christianity offers a potential escape. However, it also introduces new forms of oppression, particularly through the lens of patriarchal religious authority.
• Tradition vs. Modernity: The conflict between traditional African beliefs and the influence of Western modernity is explored throughout the play. The characters wrestle with questions of loyalty, cultural heritage, and the impact of colonial rule on their personal and collective identities.
• Sacrifice and Survival: Many of the characters face a choice between personal sacrifice and the need for survival within a colonised society. Esther’s conversion and the sacrifices she makes highlight the moral and emotional dilemmas faced by individuals caught between two conflicting worlds.

Summary

The Convert by Danai Gurira is a gripping, multi-layered exploration of the effects of colonialism and religion on the individual and society. Through its central character, Esther, the play poignantly examines themes of identity, faith, gender, and the struggles that arise when one is caught between two cultures. The play offers a nuanced and emotionally charged examination of the complex legacy of colonialism in Africa, providing insight into the personal and collective costs of colonial rule and the challenges of negotiating cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.