Characters
Basil
Basil is a black man (or possibly an apparition) who appears when death looms
for someone in the scene. Dressed in a dark coat and hat, some describe him as
a cabinetmaker. Basil remains a constant presence in Makak's journey after he
arrives at Monkey Mountain. He forces Corporal Lestrade to confess his sins,
leading to Lestrade’s personal revelation. When the scene transitions to
Africa, Basil reads the list of the accused.
Felix Hobain
See Makak
Josephus
Josephus is the ailing man whom Makak heals. He suffers from a fever with no
sweat until Makak saves him.
Corporal Lestrade
Corporal Lestrade manages the jail and is responsible for arresting Makak.
Lestrade, a mulatto, initially identifies with white authority figures and
strictly adheres to the law, showing disdain for the three black men. At the
start of Makak's dream, Lestrade maintains this stance. When Moustique
impersonates Makak in the marketplace, Lestrade asserts his views on law and
order to Market Inspector Pamphilion. Although Makak stabs him during the
prison escape led by Tigre, Lestrade later joins Makak's journey after
encountering the trio on Monkey Mountain. Lestrade kills Tigre when he
threatens them. In Africa, Lestrade plays an even larger role, insisting that
Makak kill the apparition that initiated his journey. By the play’s end, back
in reality, Lestrade is somewhat more compassionate and releases Makak.
Makak
Makak is the central figure in the play, experiencing a dream on Monkey
Mountain. An older man, aged sixty to sixty-five, of African descent, he works
as a coal cutter/burner in partnership with Moustique. Makak believes he is
ugly and repulsive, which is why he lives alone in a hut on Monkey Mountain. At
the play's outset, Makak is jailed for wrecking a local café while drunk. It is
during this night in jail that he has the dream that constitutes the main part
of Dream on Monkey Mountain.
Makak believes that a vision of a white woman appeared to him, revealing that he is a descendant of African royalty. She instructs him to return to Africa to reclaim his heritage. In his dream, Makak embarks on this journey and discovers he has the ability to heal, as he cures a sick man's fever. While Moustique wishes to capitalize on this power for financial gain, Makak's focus remains on his greater mission. After being imprisoned and escaping with the help of fellow inmates, Makak gains followers and by the third scene, he is a king, dispensing justice. Makak's dream concludes when he kills the apparition that initially guided him. By the play's end, reality is restored, and Makak is released from jail. Through his dream, Makak achieves a deeper understanding of himself and returns home to Monkey Mountain.
Moustique
Moustique is Makak's business partner and sidekick in the play. He is a small black man with a noticeable physical deformity in his twisted foot. Makak saved Moustique from the streets about four years prior. Moustique feels that Makak is the only one who truly believes in him. Moustique sells the coal that Makak produces. Recently, the pair bought a donkey named Berthilia for their business. In Makak's dream, Moustique has a complex role and dies twice. Skeptical of Makak's vision, he hesitantly joins the journey. When they encounter the sick man and his family, Moustique persuades them to let Makak attempt a healing in exchange for bread. After witnessing its success, Moustique immediately seeks to exploit Makak's gift for profit. He even impersonates Makak in the marketplace to earn money but is caught and killed in the process, despite Makak's efforts to save...
(This entire section contains 998 words.)
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him. Later, when Makak becomes a king, Moustique is among the prisoners brought before him. Moustique warns Makak not to trust his new followers, but his advice is ignored, leading to his second death. At the play's conclusion, as reality resumes, Moustique appears at the jail to plead for Makak's release, only to find that Makak has already been freed. The two return to Monkey Mountain with their bond seemingly stronger.
Market Inspector Caiphas J. Pamphilion
Pamphilion is a law officer who operates under the supervision of Corporal
Lestrade during Makak's dream. He listens to Lestrade's theories but says very
little.
Souris
Souris is one of the prisoners already in jail when Makak arrives. He is of
African descent and has been detained for theft. Souris and Tigre appear to be
accomplices. Although Souris agrees with Tigre that Makak is insane, in Makak's
dream, his primary concern is ensuring he gets his share of food from the
Corporal. Souris goes along with Tigre's plan and participates in the jailbreak
with Makak and Tigre. However, once they reach Monkey Mountain, Souris changes
his allegiance. Despite Tigre's insistence that Souris help locate Makak's
money, Souris believes in Makak's vision. When Tigre brandishes a gun, Souris
refuses to support him, much to Tigre's frustration. Following Makak to Africa,
Souris remains compassionate towards the old man, ultimately telling him to "go
with God" at the play's conclusion when reality resumes.
Tigre
Tigre is another prisoner present when Makak is brought in. Like Souris, he is
of African descent and has been arrested for theft. Tigre is quite crude and,
in Makak's dream, persuades Souris to exploit the old man. Makak attempts to
bribe the Corporal for his freedom, but the Corporal accuses him of bribery.
Tigre aims to steal any money Makak has hidden on Monkey Mountain and convinces
Makak that they should all escape together. Makak agrees, and after breaking
out of jail, the trio heads to Monkey Mountain. Although Makak names him a
general, Tigre's true interest lies in acquiring Makak's money. When the
Corporal joins them on the mountain, Tigre pulls a gun on the group. His greed
ultimately leads to his demise at the hands of the Corporal. Tigre fails to
grasp the significance of Makak and the others' journey. By the play's end,
when reality returns, Tigre is back in jail, preoccupied solely with
himself.