THE LITERARY ANALYSIS OF THE ‘STEP OUT to FIND OUT’
By Odili Ogochukwu –
INTRODUCTION
Step out to find out is a play packaged with high level of moral values. It gainfully exposes Hassan and Femi who want to taste the firmness of wealth without making effort. Hassan, Femi and Emeka are friends, graduates though jobless. Hassan and Emeka resort to farming while Femi operates a bookshop.
Hassan and Femi suddenly develop the urge to become rich and give up on their respective sources of livelihood. They see their sources of income as too weak; thus, want to elevate their financial status. Though, Femi is not yet married. While Hassan is married with three children (pp.9-12).
They however approach Emeka with a strong conviction to abandon farming for a life changing business that will generate immediate wealth. This was after the death of Hassan’s first daughter which he blamed on poverty.
“ … where do you think planting of yam will take you to? We are here to discuss a business with you. A business that will turn your life around immediately”, says Femi (p.18).
Hassan and Femi did all they can to persuade Emeka join them in their N10 million business with Alhaji, saying that the Alhaji only needs the hair of Hassan’s daughter to cash them.
“… has poverty not gone with such amount? I shall sell my daughter for N10 million. … use the money to
care for my wife and my son”, said Hassan. (p.27)
Meanwhile, Emeka is obliged that a drop of water makes an ocean. He draws his friends’ attention to the musical record which emphasizes on being patience in life.
“… … if you are patient in life, will be have money, you will have children and you will live long on earth. Do not stain your hands with the blood of innocent
children because you want to make money”, Emeka (p.39).
Despite Emeka’s advice to discourage them from such business, Hassan and Femi take Hassan’s daughter to Alhaji for N10 million hoping that Alhaji needs only her hair.
Unfortunately, they were paid with fake currency (p.48). Hassan’s daughter died few hours they departed from the Alhaji (p.54). Hassan and Femi ended up at the police net (p.69).
What a disappointment! Hassan’s wife Abiodun divorces him and goes away with their only surviving son. Out of frustration, Hassan commits suicide (p.97).
For failure to perform a sacrifice at the stipulated hour, Femi goes mad. While Emeka who is patient and hardworking stands the taste of time (pp.144-155).
SUBJECT MATTER
The subject matter of this play is ‘being patience in life’. The author uses the music of late chief Rogana Ottah to categorically elucidate its benefits. This is contained in a flashback doctored by Emeka as parts of effort to encourage his friends join him at farming. (Pp.29-32, 34-39).
THEME
Working hard is the central idea of this simple work of art. Emeka believes not in the manner falling from heaven. Neither did he consent to taking Hassan’s daughter to Alhaji for quick money.
He’s highly committed to farming until it takes him to enviable height. In the same development, Hassan’s wife Abiodun strongly believes in hard work. It’s on this light she says to Hassan;
“A person with determination will always find a way of doing something. … continue to work hard. I am not complaining you have nothing”, (pp.24-25).
SETTING
The events of this material take place in the twenty first century with its physical location at the village. Though, the author did not specify or narrow his emphasis to a particular village. But its incidents prove that it is a village.
For example, ‘dragging of corpse of a deceased who committed suicide on the ground to cleanse the land thereafter, tied it to a tree (p.100). This is hardly seen at the township.
Tapping of palm wine (p.107), display of ancestral images (p.82) are mostly common at the villages. Apart from autopsy that was conducted on Hassan’s late daughter, no other civilize event take place in this play.
DRAMATIC PERSONNELS
The fictional and basic personnel are; Emeka, Hassan, Femi, Mr. Edward and Mr. Dike. The minor characters are; Abiodun, Mrs. Dike, Stephen, Lucky, Asp. Yusulf, Dr. Okoro, Okoh, Wealth, Longlife, Patience, Oliseh, Child (p.3).
Emeka is however the major character. He stood on his ground despite several efforts by his friends to lure him into the N10 million businesses with Alhaji.
PLOT
Whoever tears his garment of grace wears the garment of disgrace. This is the case of Hassan and Femi. In an attempt to acquire wealth without effort, Femi lost his ‘future’, Hassan lost all he had. Hear Hassan; “I am a complete looser. Alhaji deceived me.
I am here suffering and dying while Alhaji enjoys the comfort of my daughter’s death. He gains wealth from my daughter’s death while I get nothing but shame, hatred and criticism … there is no hope any longer. I lost my son. I have no reason to be alive. Even Femi is nowhere to be found. … I will learn how to work hard, I will learn how to be patient … in my next world (pp.96-97).
Hassan commits suicide having no reason to live again. Femi’s case is not far fetch. He’s also caught up with nemesis.
DICTION
The author adopted a simple dialogue form. Simple African proverbs were employed to drive home his messages.