The Raft Chapter Summary & Analysis - Summary Summary

Summary

The Raft is John Pepper Clark's one act play about four lumbermen adrift on a raft on the Niger River. The interpersonal dynamics among the four men, Olutu, Kengide, Ogro and Ibobo, mask the fear and uncertainty they share about their perilous journey.

As the play begins, it is nighttime on a creek on a delta of the Niger River. Four men lie adrift on a raft, bearing lumber down river for a businessman. Kengide and Olutu are frustrated, because Ogro is making too much noise for them to sleep. As Ogro continues to pace and grunt, the fourth man, Ibobo, appears and chastises Olutu for sleepwalking again. The group lost their boat recently, because Olutu was sleepwalking or not paying attention during his watch.

Ogro tires of this line of conversation and tells Ibobo that the raft is adrift. After checking the moorings, their fears are confirmed. Olulu and...
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