Free Theater Studies Literature Review Example

Over My Dead Body

The play, Over My Dead Body, by Violet Barungi, is an inspirational play that reveals some of the horrid practices in Uganda where young girls, before they mature, are lured into early marriages to rich men because of their family’s economical status. This gives little hope of being independent and leading a life of their own. Right at the start, and just before she begins the play, Barungi reflects on what made her write such plays. She writes, “Writing is my way of communication, and when I write, I make every effort to present my view of life in the most honest manner possible” (Barungi).
The play takes place in Kampala, Uganda, in the year 1997, and Barungi, through the character of Booga; the third daughter of Mbogo and Ngoma, illustrates the lifestyle of young girls her age, in Uganda. While Mbogo wants his smart daughter to study and become independent, Ngoma represents the mind of Ugandan women, who want their daughters to marry rich boys and support them financially as well; “It’s time for our children to start paying back a little of what we have invested in them” (Barungi). Ngoma wanted Booga to marry the rich Tomusange, so that she would be able to live off the riches herself. The reason why young girls are married off before they complete their education is because of the dowry they get from the groom’s family. While Ngoma wanted the dowry to lead a happy life, Mbogo was against this. Therefore, in representing Mbogo and Ngoma the way they are, Barungi wants her readers to understand the social life of the middle and lower-income group families in Uganda. Having a daughter is a blessing, as they bring wealth to her family on her marriage, and this was why young girls were married off before they completed their education. In Act 2 Lat Morning, when Mbogo exclaims; “over my dead body,” do you hear, “over my dead body!” Barungi wants her audience to see how fallible Ugandan women were in getting their daughter’s married off. While dowry could be one reason why they did this, there is also the fact that they didn’t want to spend any further money on their daughters when they came of age. All these are clearly brought out through her play.

Works Cited

Perkins, K. (2009). African women playwrights. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.