Churchill wrote in her introduction to the play that she wanted to show "the parallel between colonial and sexual oppression." She meant that it is the same mentality of the colonial power, reflecting male values, that also results in the oppression of women.

The colonial attitude can be seen in Clive, who has contempt for those he refers to as the "natives." His attitude is paternalistic. He thinks of himself as a father to the natives, just as he is a father to his family. He also has a low opinion of the natives' capabilities. After praising his black servant, Joshua, as a jewel, he adds, "You'd hardly notice that the fellow's black." Clive regards the local African population as little better than savages, commenting that he knows three different tribal leaders who "would all gladly chop off each other's heads and wear them round their...