The Darker Face of the Earth

The Darker Face of the Earth is a play by the poet laureate of the United States that explores interracial love and strife, guilt, and suffering in antebellum Southern plantation life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 100 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2022
Publisher: Red Hen Press

The Darker Face of the Earth, a play penned by the esteemed poet laureate of the United States, presents a profound and captivating human drama that resonates with classical proportions. Beneath the veneer of antebellum Southern plantation life, a mysterious narrative unfurls, revealing a tapestry of interracial love, strife, guilt, and suffering. Both the enslaved and the enslavers find themselves grappling with a fate that looms large, threatening to eclipse their very existence.

The play delves into the complex web of relationships that exist within the plantation society. The characters, each with their own unique struggles and motivations, are intricately woven together, creating a rich and textured tapestry of human emotions. From the passionate love between a slave and a master to the bitter rivalries and betrayals that plague the plantation, The Darker Face of the Earth explores the depths of human nature and the complexities of power dynamics.

The setting of the play is a pivotal aspect, as it serves as a metaphor for the larger societal issues of the time. The antebellum South, with its rigid social hierarchies and oppressive systems of control, is portrayed as a dark and foreboding place where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. The characters, trapped in this oppressive environment, are forced to navigate a treacherous moral landscape, where their actions have far-reaching consequences.

One of the central themes of the play is the concept of slavery and its impact on the lives of the enslaved. The characters, both enslaved and enslavers, are forced to confront the moral and ethical implications of their existence. The play explores the psychological toll that slavery takes on the enslaved, as they are stripped of their autonomy, their identity, and their sense of self. It also sheds light on the complex relationships that develop between enslaved people, as they form alliances, relationships, and communities in the face of adversity.

Another theme that emerges in the play is the concept of guilt and suffering. The characters, both enslaved and enslavers, are plagued by a sense of guilt and remorse for their actions and the consequences they have wrought. The play explores the ways in which individuals cope with this guilt, whether through reparation, redemption, or simply the pursuit of self-preservation. It also raises questions about the nature of justice and the role that individuals can play in bringing about change in a society that is deeply entrenched in inequality and oppression.

The Darker Face of the Earth is a powerful and thought-provoking play that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its exploration of complex themes and its portrayal of the human experience make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and challenge us. Through its powerful storytelling and its examination of the darker aspects of human nature, the play reminds us of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of justice in our world.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781586541200
Edition number: 4 New edition