Summary
Dream on Monkey Mountain begins in a small jail on an unnamed West Indian island. Corporal Lestrade, a mulatto official, brings in Makak, an elderly black man who has just been arrested for drunkenly causing a disturbance at a local café while declaring himself the King of Africa. Two other black prisoners, Tigre and Souris, are already in their cells and attempt to undermine the corporal as he performs his duties. Frustrated, the corporal compares them to animals.
When the corporal questions Makak for basic information, the prisoner only expresses a desire to go home. Makak does disclose that he lives on Monkey Mountain and identifies as ‘‘Catholique,’’ though he cannot remember his real name. The scene then shifts to a trial, where Tigre and Souris don judge's robes while the corporal takes on the role of Makak's defender. The corporal presents the case, revealing that Makak claims to have had a dream in which he was told he is a descendant of African kings. Makak was inciting people when he was arrested. He pleads for release due to his age. Makak also mentions that he has not looked at his reflection for thirty years and recounts a dream where a white woman appeared to him. He insists he can see her in the prison at that moment, although no one else can. Makak believes she gives him strength.
The play then flashes back to the time before Makak's arrest, which is portrayed as part of his dream. In Makak's hut on Monkey Mountain, he is found lying on the floor by his business partner and friend, Moustique, a small black man with a deformed foot. Moustique rouses him to go to the market and sell their coal, but Makak is reluctant. He describes an encounter from the previous night where a white woman appeared to him, singing. She knew everything about him and expressed a desire to come home with him. She told Makak that he should no longer live in his hut, implying he was too noble for such a place because he comes from a royal lineage.
Moustique becomes frustrated with Makak's insistence that the experience was real and asks where the woman is now, but Makak does not know. After Makak leaves to fetch the coal for the market, Moustique is startled by the unexpected appearance of a mother spider with an egg sack. He kills it, but both men interpret this as an omen of Moustique's impending death. Moustique then discovers a white mask under a bench, which Makak claims he has never seen before. Makak instructs Moustique to prepare for their journey to Africa. Despite believing Makak has gone mad, Moustique follows him down the mountain.
Moustique encounters the family of a gravely ill man, surrounded by his praying sisters who hope for his recovery. Moustique joins their prayers while requesting some bread. He discovers the man is suffering from a fever and unable to sweat. The family has nearly lost hope, and Basil, the local coffinmaker, lingers nearby. Moustique persuades them to let Makak attempt to heal the man in exchange for bread.
Makak instructs everyone to kneel around the sick man. He asks a woman to place a hot coal in his hand. As the coal sizzles, Makak prays over the man. Initially, nothing changes, and Moustique and Makak blame the lack of faith from those present. Despite this, the man's wife offers them food for their efforts. Just as they are about to leave, the sick man begins to sweat and shows signs of recovery. After receiving gifts from the onlookers,...
(This entire section contains 1263 words.)
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Moustique mocks Basil and acquires his coat and hat. When Moustique and Makak finally leave, Moustique suggests exploiting Makak's healing abilities for profit, but Makak insists they only take what they need.
At a bustling market, people discuss Makak's miraculous healings. Meanwhile, the corporal and the market inspector plan to maintain order upon Makak's rumored arrival. A man claiming to be Makak appears, but it is actually Moustique. He entertains the crowd, asking for money for his journey to Africa while promising to help them heal themselves. When a spider falls on his hand, he becomes agitated. Basil removes the spider and realizes the man is Moustique, not Makak. Under pressure, Moustique confesses and insults the crowd, leading them to beat him briefly until the corporal disperses them. Afterward, Makak arrives. Moustique urges him to return to Monkey Mountain before dying.
At the start of Part Two, still within Makak's dream, the scene shifts back to the jail on the night of Makak's arrest. The corporal is feeding the prisoners. Souris and Tigre plead with the corporal to release the old man, but he refuses. Makak offers the corporal money for his freedom, but the corporal remains unbribed and disturbed by Makak's presence. After the corporal departs, Tigre convinces Souris that they could escape prison and steal Makak's money. They inquire about his dream and Africa. Tigre persuades Makak that he must kill the corporal, likening him to a lion, so they can escape together. Makak reveals a knife. Tigre summons the corporal, Makak stabs him, and they flee. The corporal, however, survives and pursues them.
In the forest, Makak instructs Souris and Tigre to rest while he starts a fire. Tigre is restless, eager to eat and anxious to reach Monkey Mountain. Souris is fearful, questioning if there is any money at all. As Makak outlines his plans, Souris begins to trust his words. Tigre becomes both scared and impatient. Makak appoints Tigre as his general. While preparing the food that Souris gathered, he and Tigre discuss their belief that Makak is completely insane.
Upon hearing someone approaching, the three men hide in the bushes. The corporal appears, following their trail and speaking in incomprehensible terms. Basil emerges from the bushes and urges the corporal to repent. Tigre and Souris then come out of hiding. Tigre prompts the corporal to confess his sins. Under pressure, the corporal admits his love for Africa and asks for Makak's forgiveness. Makak appears and declares the corporal as one of their own. Though Tigre and Souris want to take physical revenge on the corporal, Makak forbids it. When Tigre attempts to shoot the corporal, Souris intervenes, now firmly aligned with Makak. Makak tries to persuade Tigre to join them, but Tigre remains determined to kill. With Basil's help, the corporal drives a spear through Tigre, killing him. The remaining group moves on.
Makak is now a royal figure, possibly in Africa, still accompanied by the corporal and Souris. Basil reads a list of the accused—historical and contemporary figures—all of whom he notes are white. He also lists letters from those seeking their favor, including the Ku Klux Klan, and an apology from South Africa. None are satisfied. Moustique, now a prisoner, is brought in. Moustique pleads for mercy, warning Makak that these men might betray him as well. He is taken away. The apparition of the white woman is brought in. The corporal insists that Makak must kill her. Makak wants to do this alone, and after much urging, the others finally leave. Proclaiming his freedom, he kills her.
The play then shifts back to reality, in the jail, the following morning. Makak reveals his true identity as Felix Hobain and cannot fully recall why he is there. Some fragments of his dream linger in his mind. The corporal releases the old man. Just as he is about to leave, Moustique arrives, hoping to free his friend. Together, they head back to Monkey Mountain.
