Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Literature in English
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Character Analysis and General Overview of “Faceless”.
Topic: Introduction to “the Blood of a Stranger” by Dele Charlery
Subject Matter: Meaning of the play “The Blood of a Stranger”, background of the playwright and dramatist, background and setting of the play, plot and summary, themes and style (Western culture versus African culture)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Explain the background of the playwright, the play, and its setting.
Summarize the plot of “The Blood of a Stranger”.
Identify the major themes and stylistic features in the play.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the cultural conflicts presented in the play.
Relate the themes discussed to real-life situations.

Psychomotor Domain:

Point out relevant sections in the play text that illustrate specific themes.
Discuss examples of cultural conflict as depicted in the play.

Participate actively in class discussions about the play’s themes and messages.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Charlery, D. (Year). The Blood of a Stranger. (Specific publisher and year if known, else general reference)
https://www.waecdirect.org
https://www.neco.gov.ng

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Copies of the play text, “The Blood of a Stranger”
Whiteboard/Blackboard
Markers/Chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the foundational elements of Dele Charlery’s play, “The Blood of a Stranger.” By introducing the playwright, setting, plot, themes, and style, pupils can better grasp the play’s message and its relevance to societal issues, particularly cultural conflict.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of literary terms such as plot, theme, and setting, and some familiarity with dramatic works.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Introduction to “The Blood of a Stranger” by Dele Charlery

Meaning of the Play “The Blood of a Stranger”

The title of the play, “The Blood of a Stranger,” symbolically refers to the arrival of an outsider, white men, into a traditional African community and the ensuing conflicts, changes, and eventual bloodshed that result from this encounter. It signifies the disruption and destruction brought by foreign influence.

Background of the Playwright, Dele Charlery

Dele Charlery is a prominent Nigerian playwright and dramatist. His works often explore themes related to post-colonial Africa, cultural clashes, political corruption, and the challenges faced by traditional societies in the face of modernity. “The Blood of a Stranger” is one of his well-known plays.

Background and Setting of the Play

The play is set in a fictional African village called Mando during the colonial era. It explores the impact of European colonialists on the traditional life, customs, and power structures of an indigenous community. The setting highlights the clash between two distinct cultures and value systems.

Plot and Summary of the Play

The play tells the story of the peaceful village of Mando, which is disrupted by the arrival of a white man, Mr. Smith, who claims to be searching for minerals (gold). The village chief, Kabiyesi, initially welcomes him, but the village priest, Jagun, foresees doom. Mr. Smith exploits the villagers, manipulates their traditions, and causes discord, ultimately leading to violence and the destruction of the community’s peace and traditional way of life. The play culminates in a tragic end for many characters, including Mr. Smith.

Themes in “The Blood of a Stranger”

The play explores several important themes, including:

Clash of Cultures: The conflict between traditional African values and Western (colonial) culture.
Colonialism and Exploitation: The destructive impact of colonial rule and the exploitation of African resources and people.
Power and Corruption: How power can corrupt individuals and institutions, both traditional and foreign.
Tradition versus Modernity: The struggle to maintain traditional practices in the face of new influences.
Betrayal: Betrayal of trust within the community and by the colonialists.
Greed: The insatiable desire for wealth, particularly gold, driving Mr. Smith’s actions.

Style of the Play

Dele Charlery employs various stylistic features in “The Blood of a Stranger”:

Symbolism: The “blood of a stranger” itself is symbolic of foreign intrusion and its consequences.
Dramatic Irony: The audience is often aware of dangers or truths that the characters are not.
Foreshadowing: Jagun’s prophecies and warnings hint at future tragic events.
Folklore and Oral Tradition: Elements of African storytelling and proverbs are woven into the dialogue.
Conflict: Central to the play, manifesting as internal, external, and cultural conflicts.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, reminds them of previous literary studies, and introduces the new topic, “Introduction to ‘The Blood of a Stranger’ by Dele Charlery.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and aware of the topic.

Step 2: Background of the Playwright

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the background of the playwright, Dele Charlery, highlighting his contributions to Nigerian literature and common themes in his works.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the author and his literary context.

Step 3: Background and Setting of the Play

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Description/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes the historical and geographical setting of the play, Mando village, and its significance in understanding the cultural clash.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take notes on the play’s background and setting.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the context in which the play unfolds.

Step 4: Plot and Summary

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a concise summary of the play’s plot, outlining the main events and character roles.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen carefully, noting down key plot points and asking questions to clarify the story.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the overall storyline of “The Blood of a Stranger.”

Step 5: Themes in the Play

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the major themes in the play, focusing on the conflict between Western and African cultures, and invites pupils to discuss examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify themes, discuss examples, and relate them to personal life encounters.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the thematic concerns of the play.

Step 6: Style of the Play

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the stylistic features used by the playwright, such as symbolism, dramatic irony, and foreshadowing, using examples from the text.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take notes on the stylistic elements and their effects.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize and understand the literary devices employed in the play.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Who is the playwright of “The Blood of a Stranger”?
In which fictional village is the play primarily set?
Briefly summarize the main conflict in the play.
Mention two major themes explored in “The Blood of a Stranger”.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recap/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly recaps the key points of the lesson and assigns pupils to read the first two acts of the play before the next class.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the recap and note down the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for the next lesson.

Lesson Keywords

Playwright – The author of a play.
Dramatist – Another term for a playwright.
Setting – The time and place in which the action of a play occurs.
Plot – The sequence of events in a story or play.
Theme – The central idea or message of a literary work.
Style – The distinctive way an author uses language and literary devices.
Colonialism – The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to identify more complex literary devices or research other works by Dele Charlery. For those who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified summaries or guide them to specific sections of the text for easier understanding of plot and themes.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils have access to the play text. Encourage active participation and critical thinking, especially when discussing cultural conflicts and their relevance to contemporary society. Emphasize the importance of reading the play for a deeper understanding of the themes and characters.