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THE IK

1. This play is a dramatization of a real anthropoloical study. As an anthropologist in the field it is important to remain as objective as possible. In the introduction to the play, Colin Turnbull says, "it was a field situation in which there was, ultimately, no escape from deeply subjective involvement for unless the field worker had no feelings at all, total objectivity was impossible." Were you actually in the field as an anthropologist studying the IK, what specific incidents which happen in the play would cause you to lose your subjectivity? As a side thought, among everday people, is objectivity a vital component with which to succeed when cultures collide?

2. Why does The Ik follow The Golden Age? What do the plays share in common, and how does Nowra's play help us to better understand The IK?

3. Probably the most important moment in the play is when Atum says "because from here we cannot see the Morungole (p. 57)." Why is this a significant moment in the play?

4. What is the significance of Lomongin saying "there's no one there" when there is clearly an old woman who wants a cigarette?

5. What are some examples of when the Ik seemingly laugh at very inappropriate times? Why do they tend to do this?

6. What do we learn about Ik family life in the play?

7. What's the closest the Ik get to having a sense of community?

8. According to Ik values, what is "good?"

9. The play is deliberately presentational (unrealistic). Why do you think minimalistic production values were used?

10. What's the significance of the Catholic missionary scene?

11. In the introduction, Turnbull says that audiences disliked the character of Turnbull. Why do you think they tended to dislike him?

12. The first chapter of is "The World that Was," and the final chapter is "The World that Is." Where in the play do we see this contrast between what was, and what is.

13. Is there any significance to the fact that Losike, the pot maker goes off to the Sudan?

14. What is the significance of Atum saying that a man was burned for adultery (pp. 40-41).

15. What are the parallels between the play and Shirley Jackson's short story, The Lottery?

16. What is the significance of the narrators last comment to us that:

    "even when the rains came and food was plentiful, each took what he needed for the moment, the rest was left to rot. It had veomce abnormal to have enough."