Essay Questions

How does the issue of racial rift emerge in the play?

The play takes place in Kingstone, Ontario, during the reign of apartheid. During this time, the whites segregated the blacks and ensured that they did not access better opportunities. As regard, most of the blacks lived in poverty and suffering because they could not even access the basic needs. The Crackwalker play demonstrates how the minority communities were prejudiced and denied opportunities by the majority of whites. In another play called 'Pink,' Nellie is shot dead during a protest against the apartheid laws, which marginalized the minority groups. Lucy is among the few whites who stood for justice for all because she talked negatively about apartheid.

What is the symbolic meaning of the Crackwalker in the play 'The Other Side of the Dark: Four Plays'?

Crackwalker is a needy man who denotes desolation and fiasco in society. Due to Crackwalker's lifestyle, people consider him a failed man who has given up on life. Others think that they are better and productive when they compare themselves with Mr. Crackwalker. However, the author takes a drastic turn towards the end of the play to remind viewers that no person is useless in this world. For instance, Crackwalker turns out to be a resourceful person in society when he stood with Alan during difficult times.

Why is the author worried about paternity in this play?

Throughout the four plays in this collection, the reader realizes that the element of poor parenting is eminent. The reader understands that it is the parents' responsibility to take care of and provide for their children. Satirically, parents such as Alan and Theresa are depicted as irresponsible because they do not take good care of their child, who dies at an early age. On the Other hand, the author portrays Lucy's parents as negligent because they hired a nanny to care for her while growing. The reader finds it ironic that instead of raising their child, parents abscond this responsibility by bringing in a stranger to take care of the kid.