Moon on a Rainbow Shawl by Errol John Summary

Errol John’s Moon on a Rainbow Shawl is set in a small, impoverished neighborhood, or “yard,” in Trinidad just after World War II. A number of people that live in this yard and each face their own obstacles, aspirations, and setbacks are the subject of the play.

It examines the hard reality of living in Trinidad at a period of limited prospects, unstable economic conditions, and lingering colonial legacies. Ephraim, a tram conductor who feels stuck in his life and longs to go to England, is at the heart of the narrative.

As they negotiate everyday conflicts and relationships, the other characters—each dealing with their own challenges—interact and clash with one another.

Ephraim, the protagonist, is youthful, aspirational, and unhappy. Although he works for the tram department, he doesn’t think he has a bright future in Trinidad. He hopes to leave the island and establish a new life in England, where he thinks he may find genuine chances and get away from Trinidad’s social and economic constraints.

But Ephraim’s friendship with Rosa, a young lady who lives in the yard and is in love with him, complicates his existence. Ephraim refuses to take care of Rosa and the unborn kid even though she is pregnant with his.

Even though they are close, Ephraim sees Rosa as just another weight that is preventing him from moving on, and he doesn’t think twice about leaving her when the opportunity to leave Trinidad presents itself.

Rosa is a café employee who is sweet and naive. Her brightly colored scarf represents her aspirations for a brighter future. She attempts to establish a life for herself despite her lack of family support and poverty. In the hopes that he will be the one to provide her with stability and love, she falls in love with Ephraim.

However, Rosa’s hopes are dashed when he chooses to go, leaving her to face an uncertain future as a single mother. Rosa works at a café owned by Old Mack, a wealthy 65-year-old guy who has his eye on her and constantly presents her with gifts in the hopes that she will pick him.

Rosa first rejects his approaches, but she soon comes to the realization that she doesn’t have many choices without Ephraim. Even though it means sacrificing her independence, she grudgingly consents to stay with Old Mack in order to provide some stability for her child.

Sophia, who lives in the yard with her husband Charlie and their two kids, including a teenage daughter named Esther, is a strong, resilient woman in contrast to Ephraim and Rosa. Sophia is the pillar of her family, doing everything in her can to keep them united in the face of adversity.

Charlie, her husband, was a gifted cricket player who aspired to play professionally, but bigotry among the West Indian cricket boards dashed his hopes. Sophia and their family are further burdened by Charlie’s alcoholism, which stems from his bitterness and defeat.

Mavis, a young woman who lives nearby and is notorious for being a prostitute who takes advantage of local men and affluent troops for cash, is disliked by Sophia. Despite her kindness and sympathy, Sophia is strict with her daughter Esther because she wants the best for her.

Sophia and Charlie’s daughter, Esther, is intelligent and driven. Despite the obstacles her family encounters, she is a symbol of possibility and optimism. Esther continues to believe that she can have a future outside of the yard, in contrast to the other characters who appear to have given up or become depressed by life.

She demonstrates maturity and responsibility by taking care of her younger brother and helping her mother with household duties. In a community where most people feel stuck and miserable, Esther stands out for her desire and optimism.

Trinidadian women’s restricted options are reflected in the complicated character of Mavis, the local prostitute. She earns a living by entertaining wealthy soldiers and local elites; she is attractive, savvy, and self-sufficient. Rosa is advised by Mavis, who is astute enough to recognize the social conventions that ensnare the other women in the yard, to wait for a guy to commit to her before pursuing a romantic relationship.

Mavis has a pragmatic outlook on life and makes an effort to take advantage of her circumstances, despite the fact that she is frequently despised by others, particularly Sophia. Despite being aware of her image, Mavis soon falls in love with Prince, a local businessman who is enamored with her. The drama has some comedic relief from Prince’s blind love for Mavis.

The play emphasizes the stark differences between men and women, demonstrating how the women in the yard are strong, moral, and resilient while the males are frequently weak and self-centered.

Charlie’s alcoholism has made him a burden to his family, and Ephraim is willing to leave Rosa and his unborn child without regret. Despite Rosa’s lack of interest in him and their age gap, Old Mack tries to utilize his fortune to get her to be with him.

Women like Sophia, Rosa, and even little Esther, on the other hand, put in a lot of effort to live, provide for their children, and discover their purpose in life. They are presented as loving and resolute, traits that the males in the drama do not possess.

The sense of pessimism that permeates the characters’ lives is another significant element in the play. Trinidad’s economy has suffered since the end of World War II.

Businesses have closed, there are few employment, and many people are having difficulty making ends meet as a result of the American forces departing the island. While some, like Charlie, have given up on their aspirations, Ephraim sees his one chance to escape to England.

Old Mack, who is wealthy, even attempts to profit on the island’s weak economy. The people of the yard have adopted a survival mentality as a result of this depressing environment, where each person looks for some kind of security in an unpredictable world.

Lastly, the play also discusses how colonialism and international politics continue to affect small towns like Trinidad. The island has suffered from economic hardships and sociological shifts while having a small involvement in the conflict. These alterations have a psychological impact on the local populace.

For example, Prince’s fixation on Mavis, Esther’s emotional outbursts, and Ephraim’s restlessness all illustrate the internal conflict brought on by the pain and uncertainty of the era.

The drama illustrates the long-lasting effects that major historical occurrences, such as the end of colonial control and the evacuation of American military, have on tiny villages.

Ultimately, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl depicts a striking image of life in a small Trinidadian hamlet after colonization. Despite their differences in gender, goals, and personal preferences, the characters are bound together by their common difficulties.

Some people, like Sophia and Esther, choose to stay in a world that seems to offer little hope or dignity, while others, like Ephraim, decide to escape. In the last scene, Esther calls for her mother, signifying the possibility of a fresh start and the possibility that Trinidad and its citizens may have a better future.