“Sons and Daughters” explores the clash between tradition and modernity in a post‑independent Ghanaian community. The central narrative follows a family—father, mother, and their children—who are torn between:
Before exploring the play itself, it is essential to understand the man who wrote it. Joe de Graft was a towering figure in Ghanaian and African theatre. Born Joseph Coleman de Graft on April 2, 1924, in Cape Coast, Gold Coast (present-day Ghana), he was a writer, playwright, dramatist, poet, and educator who made immense contributions to the cultural landscape of post-independence Africa. download sons and daughters by joe de graft pdf
"Sons and Daughters" is a thought-provoking play written by Ghanaian playwright Joe de Graft. The play explores themes of family, tradition, and modernity in a Ghanaian setting. First published in 1964, the play has become a classic of African literature and is widely studied in schools and universities. Born Joseph Coleman de Graft on April 2,
Do you need a list of and exam questions for this play? Share public link First published in 1964, the play has become
If you are a student or faculty member at an African university (such as the University of Ghana, where Joe de Graft taught), check your university library’s digital catalog. Many institutions hold digitized academic copies for research purposes.
| Character | Description | Role in the Conflict | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | The wealthy, self-made patriarch. | Represents the older generation’s materialistic values; his rigid belief in professional "success" drives the plot. | | Aaron Ofosu | James’s son; an aspiring painter. | Embodies youthful idealism; his conflict with his father symbolizes the struggle for personal autonomy. | | Maanan Ofosu | James’s daughter; desires a career in music. | Represents the plight of young women in a patriarchal society; she is objectified by Lawyer Bonu. | | Lawyer Bonu | James’s trusted friend and family lawyer. | The play’s antagonist. He symbolizes the hypocrisy and moral decay lurking beneath a respectable professional facade. | | Hannah | James’s wife. | A subservient but critical wife who often serves as a voice of reason, though her husband dismisses her. | | Awere | Aaron’s friend; a successful artist. | Represents the redemptive and ultimately valuable nature of pursuing one’s passion. |
