In this post, we will be discussing the THEMES IN LET ME DIE ALONE by John K. Kargbo. But first of all, we need to understand what a theme is.
A theme is a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work. John K. Kargbo’s Let Me Die Alone is imbued with quite a number of salient themes.
The play explores the topical issues of colonialism, gender discrimination, betrayal, excessive desire for power, suicide, homicide, human sacrifice, and listless others. These issues further accentuate the artistic quality and social relevance of the play.
Discussed below are the themes in Let Me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo
THEME OF BETRAYAL
This is probably the most prevalent theme of the play. It has a major impact on the plot development of the play. It is the case that both Lamboi and Musa betray the community and some notable characters. In search of the power of their respective families, Lamboi recruits the services of Musa the chief priest, to assist in his scheme to remove Gbanya forever from the reign, so as to prevent him from choosing Yoko as his successor.
Musa could have opted not to obey, but he did have some skeletons in the cupboard, things he wouldn’t wish for the public to know about. He has made human sacrifices frequently in exchange for wealth and longevity. He has lied about his position of honour with his apathy to human rituals all for the sake of pursuing the pleasures of life.
When the opportunity arises the duo betray Gbanya by claiming to free him of the shameful humiliation that Dr Rowe made him suffer. They poison Gbanya, and then Lamboi attempts to take over the reign. In the process, they deceive an innocent Gbanya who had placed his trust in them for his life and considered them to be their allies.
Another time, they betray Yoko, Gbanya’s successor. Instead of performing their priestly and advisory duties, Lamboi and Musa choose to deceive the people regarding Yoko. They murder Jeneba, then cut her up and then place her in a grave and later put her body into a grave. They then persuade the villager to think that Yoko has dug the poor body of the girl so that she can get favours from the colonial Governor. The betrayal and humiliation that follows greatly determine Yoko’s decision to commit suicide.