THE SAMARITAN GUIDE
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THIS SAMPLE
IS EXTRACTED FROM A PLAY
THE SAMARITAN GUIDE BOOK
By Author: John Lara
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Portrayal of Characters and Characterisation
1. Mossi
a. Insensitive
When Bembe talks of Sugar levels rising he suggests that he takes some more salts (P. 38).
b. Ignorant and Uninformed
He does not understand what is meant by municipal capture (P. 39). He doesn’t even understand
cyber bullying and how it functions.
c. Ruthless and violent
He operates with gangsters. For instance, he has a black man who heads the Red Eagle Gang. He
wants the gang to burn tyres in every corner of the Maracas. He says that he leaves thunder and
smoke in his wake (P. 45-46).
d. Corrupt
Mossi claims that he is accused of many crimes, particularly municipal capture (P. 39).
e. Hypocritical
Mossi instructs Bembe that they should deny ever having rejected to reward the student’s app at
Sagrada Secondary school. He should indicate before the public that they are finalizing
arrangements to give the prize and also mainstream the use of the app in the running of the
municipality to enhance transparency and accountability.
f. Treacherous
The deputy to the Mayor and Ted are said to be mobilizing members of the chambers to open a
debate that will result in a vote of no confidence against the mayor (P. 44).
Role of Mossi
He brings out themes of intimidation, blackmail, and corruption.
His plan to attack the opponent group builds the plot.
We see irony, satire, and foreshadow through his actions.
He builds characters such as Nicole and Bembe.
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2. Bembe
a. Fearful and Pessimistic
He sees himself dead just because of the accusations (P. 38).
Bembe tells the Mayor there is a likelihood of his untimely death (P. 37).
b. Abusive
He is full of insults. He calls Ramdaye a dinosaur (P. 42).
Bembe suggests that they get someone to steal the school generator and pin in on Nicole then tell
the judge to put her in (P. 47).
3. Harvester
a. Defensive
He defends himself before Mossi that he is being accused of many crimes of abuse of office. He
wonders even where people are getting such classified information (P. 38).
b. Schemer
He says that they should scheme carefully. He further states that Discretion is the better part of
valor (P.44).
c. Cautious
He says that they should scheme carefully. He further states that Discretion is the better part of
valor (P.44).
Role of Bembe
He builds Mossi’s character traits through their conversation.
He brings out aspects of blackmail and corruption.
He also exposes styles of irony, satire, and metaphors.
Act 2 Scene 1- Fear
The following morning around eight, at the Sagrada Secondary School, Nicole is visited by
Alvita and Montano in her office. They are afraid that the Mayor gave Nicole an ultimatum to
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stop the play The Samaritan. He fears that the Samaritan might get her into trouble. Nicole
assures them that everything will be alright. Nicole reminds the students of the parable of the
Good Samaritan in the Bible. She tells them that despite the hostilities between the Jews and the
Samaritans the ‘man’ in the parable is treated with compassion and taken to a safe place. She
trusts the Samaritan App is an excellent platform that gives every person an opportunity to speak
out against wrong doing and to shave ideas that will make life better. She encourages them that
everyone must all take responsibility for the progress of their municipality to improve individual
lives.
Alvita says the App will not help as the leaders will not allow it. Nicole assures them that The
Samaritan will change the history of the municipality. Montano says that Ms. Nicole may be in
danger because they heard what The Mayor said. Alvita says that The Samaritan has been all
over the newspapers, radio and TV channels for over two months and has grown so big and it is
no longer suitable for them. Nicole criticizes the life of the leaders that the salaries they earn are
known and cannot afford flaunty lifestyle, yet the leaders own big vehicles, huge houses and have
plenty of money (P.53). She advises the students to stand firm with The App and demand that the
leaders do things right. She urges them to pursue the App. Nicole’s mobile phone rings, she says
that the principal wants to see her , hence she would see them later.
Issues and Thematic Concerns
1. Determination and Resilience
Nicole insists that the Mayor cannot make her chicken out by stopping the Samaritan App. She
assures the students to continue with the app and says, “sometimes it is good to stand out ... for
a better tomorrow for all of us (P. 52).”
Nicole tells the students that they should stand firm with the App and they should demand that
the leaders do the right instead of being afraid and be discouraged (P. 53).
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2. Hypocrisy
Nicole says that the people in the municipality are like the Jewish man in many ways. They are
beaten, stripped, robbed and left for the dead, but the leaders and public officials cannot come
to their aid. They only talk about pursuing public interest without ever being genuinely
committed to it (P. 51).
In reference to the biblical allusion, it is shown that a priest was hypocritical because he passed
by saw the injured man lying by the roadside, even though he is a religious man he did not help
the injured man (P. 50).
3. Fear
Montano says that they fear the app will get Nicole into trouble. The students fear that Nicole will
soon be in trouble in case she pursues the Samaritan App after the Mayor gave an ultimatum
(P. 49).
Nicole tells the students not to be afraid about the leaders and instead make them do what is right
(P. 53)
4. Love and Devotion
Alvita and Montano love and are loyal to their teacher and that is why they are worried and
concerned about her wellbeing. Montano tells Nicole The Mayor gave her an ultimatum during
the closing day the previous year, therefore they fear The Samaritan might get her into trouble
(P. 49).
Alvita tells Nicole that in case they transfer her from the school they would follow her to
wherever she goes (P. 52). This shows that they are affectionate about her.
5. Role of the youth in the society
Alvita and Montano create The Samaritan App which is a good platform to put on the spotlight
the rogue leaders. Nicole believes that the App will help and should not be killed (P. 53).
Nicole assures Alvita and Montano that The Samaritan will change the course of history in the
municipality (P. 52).
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Nicole reminds the two students to stand firm and youths and remind the leaders about their
duties (P.53).
6. Selflessness
Nicole is optimistic of the platform ‘The Samaritan App’ since it will give each one of us an
opportunity to speak against the wrong doing and to share ideas that will make life better for all
of them she points out that if they only care about themselves then the municipality will not
prosper (P. 52).
She emphasizes that they must do the right things in the right way for the progress of the
municipality (P. 52).
7. Optimism/ Hope
Even though Montano and Alvita are apprehensive about possible danger of The Samaritan App
resulting from recent ultimatum the Mayor gave their teacher, Nicole tells the students not to
worry because everything will be well (P.50).
Nicole is confident that The Samaritan will bring a better tomorrow. She tells her students that
she is sure The Samaritan will change the course of history in the Municipality (P.52).
Nicole also hopes that the students should be encouraged or not fear pursuing the project of the
Samaritan App, because they will be finally successful (P.53).
8. Technology
The presence of the Samaritan App and the discussion revolving around it gives the aspect of
technology.
9. Role of the Media
The Samaritan has been all over the TV channels, newspapers, and radio over two months (P.
52).
10. Corruption, egocentrism and selfishness
Nicole finds irony in the life of the leaders. Even though the salaries their leaders are paid cannot
afford quite a flashy life, the leaders have flaunty lifestyle, they own big vehicles, huge houses
and have plenty of money (P.53).
Nicole says the Municipality is like the Jewish man in many ways (P.51).
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Language Use and Stylistic Devices
1. Imagery
a. Vivid Description
The stage directions at the beginning of the scene are quite detailed. They indicate Nicole as
sitting in her spacious room that contained an oak table. The table has three drawers on each
side of her seat. The table has two office chairs that face each other on the front of it. The table
is arranged quite neatly and books are on the left-hand side whereas the left-hand side has a
pen and a note book. In the middle, is a laptop. (P. 49)
b. Simile
Nicole says the Municipality is like the Jewish man in many ways (P.51).
The leaders are also like the Priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan (P. 51).
c. Personification
This App must not be killed (P. 53).
d. Symbolism
The shepherd have turned against the sheep in which the shepherd are the leaders at the Marcas
Municipality whereas the sheep and citizens (P.51)
2. Foreshadow
Montano thinks that the Samaritan might get Nicole in trouble and later in the play, it breeds
trouble for her (P. 49). He still emphasizes on the impending danger that Nicole may face and
that is what we witness later in the play (P.52).
3. Flashback
Montano recalls the ultimatum the Mayor gave to her during the previous year on closing day at
school while warning her of the impending danger (P.49).
4. Irony
Montano finds it ironical that the leaders would reject The Samaritan when it is something good
for the people (P. 50).
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It is also ironical that the leaders whom citizens entrust power and expect would help them fail to
come to their aid. Nicole tells Montano the irony in their leaders who talk about public interest
and they miss to act (P. 51).
Nicole finds irony in the life of the leaders. Even though the salaries their leaders are paid cannot
afford quite a flashy life, the leaders have flaunty lifestyle, they own big vehicles, huge houses
and have plenty of money (P.53).
It is ironical that the religious priest and the Levite who hold same Christian ideologies with the
Jewish man did not help him, yet The Samaritan man with a different religious background
helped him and took him to a safe place (P. 50-51).
5. Biblical Allusion
Nicole explains why people reject The Samaritan by referring to the Luke 10:25-37 in the
biblical story of the Good Samaritan who saved a Jew despite the hostility that existed amongst
them and treated a robbed man compassionately, dressed his wounds and took him to a safe
place. She reveals that a priest and a Levite had seen the injured man who lay helplessly, but
they had ignored him and gone their way (P. 50-51).
Nicole also brings the aspect of being one another’s keeper who takes care of one another as
indicated in the bible Genesis 4:1-3 (P. 51).
6. A story within a story
The story of the Good Samaritan is a story within a story aimed to bring out the irony in the
society and show that leaders are negligent of the duties endowed to them by the citizens (P.50-
51).
7. Idiomatic expression
Nicole uses the word chicken out- fear (P.52).
Alvita says we smell trouble- we suspect issues (P. 50).
8. Rhetorical questions
Montano asks “Why would the leaders reject what is good for the people? (P.50)” the question
invites the audience to see the satirical nature of leadership in this play.
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Alvita asks “Could they transfer you from our school? (P.52)” This is to show the concern they
have about their teacher.
Nicole asks “So where do they get money? (P. 53)” This shows the corrupt nature of the leaders.
Character Portrayal and characterization
1. Alvita and Montano
a. Fearful and timid
Alvita and Montano are afraid that Nicole might be in danger (P. 50).
Alvita is looking apprehensive. She says they are worried over her (P.49). Similarly, Montano
tells Nicole that the app will get their teacher into trouble (P. 49)
b. Caring and concerned
Alvita and Montano are concerned about Nicole their teacher, hence they visit her and warn her
about the possible trouble that The Samaritan App might have on her (P.48-49).
c. Passionate and loyal
The act of visiting Nicole over the holiday to warn her on the trouble that she might experience is
an act of love (P. 52).
The students promise to follow Nicole in case she transfers from their school (P. 52).
Role of the students (Alvita and Nicole)
They build the plot of the story. When they visit Nicole and talk about their fears and anxieties
over their teacher and prepare her for a harsh time, we wait for such a moment.
They also help build up Nicole as a determined, optimistic, advisory and knowledgeable
character.
They build flashback and foreshadow when they refer to the ultimatum the Mayor made and the
possible trouble Nicole may encounter in the text.
2. Nicole
a. Daring, brave and courageous
Even as Montano and Alvita tell her to stop pursuing The Samaritan App due to the possible risk
it will put her through, she says she is not worried about what the leaders will do because the
App is something good (P.52).
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She still assures her students that they should be there for one another and act right to improve
individual lives (P.52).
She also says that when striving to improve lives, she cannot afford to chicken out at every
obstacle and threat in her life (P.52).
b. Selfless and idealistic
She tells her students that to improve individual lives and make the Municipality prosper; one
must care about others and not just oneself. It is necessary that one stands for another and acts
right or take responsibility for the progress to be realized (P.52).
c. Firm and Determined
She is determined to pursue the success of The Samaritan App despite the trouble it might cause
to her (P.52).
d. Realistic or pragmatic
She understands that there are times when one should stand for a cause that can bring a better
tomorrow for everyone (P.52).
e. Optimistic or hopeful and visionary
Nicole strives to improve her life (P.52)
Despite Montano and Alvita being anxious and worried about the possible danger of The
Samaritan App resulting from recent ultimatum the Mayor gave their teacher, Nicole tells the
students not to worry because everything will be well (P.50).
Nicole is confident that The Samaritan will bring a better tomorrow. She tells her students that
she is sure The Samaritan will change the course of history in the Municipality (P.52).
Nicole also hopes that the students should be encouraged or not fear pursuing the project of the
Samaritan App, because they will be finally successful (P.53).
f. Critical
She believes the leaders cannot have big vehicles, huge houses, and flaunt lifestyle with just their
salaries (p.53).
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g. Calm
Even though Montano and Alvita are apprehensive about the Mayor and possible danger of The
Samaritan App because of the recent ultimatum the Mayor passed, Nicole tells the students not
to worry and that everything will be well (P.50).
h. Knowledgeable and Informed
She uses the story of the Good Samaritan to explain to the students why leaders will not take the
App that is good for the citizens (P.50-51).
i. Advisory
She encourages her students to pursue the app until it is a success (P.53).
Role of Nicole
Nicole dominates the entire scene hence builds the plot, setting.
She brings out themes of opportunism and hypocrisy.
She builds other characters including the leaders as corrupt.
She builds the conflict in the play as everyone is concerned about The App she mentored students
to work on.
3. The Municipal Leaders
a. Deceitful and hypocritical
Nicole shares that public official’s talk of interest in citizens without ever being genuinely
committed to it (p.51).
b. Corrupt
Nicole thinks with their salary which everybody knows they cannot afford big cars and houses
unless there are four games (P. 53).
Roles of Leaders
In this scene, leaders are more of stock characters who build Nicole’s characterization and styles
such as irony, satire among others.
They also help us see some themes including corruption, bad leadership, and selfishness.
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FOR THE COMPLETE GUIDE BOOK
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