The Road to Mecca

by Athol Fugard

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Student Question

What is the main theme of the play The Road to Mecca?

Quick answer:

The main theme of "The Road to Mecca" revolves around individual spirituality and the necessity of creative freedom. The play explores how Miss Helen distances herself from traditional religious practices to pursue her own spiritual path through art. Her sculpture garden symbolizes her personal form of worship, highlighting themes of religious freedom and personal independence. The play also addresses the conflict between societal norms and individual expression.

Expert Answers

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Choosing a single main theme for this play is difficult. Themes resonate differently with various readers, so it is probably better to explore multiple themes that are central to the play. Religion, religious freedom, and/or individual spirituality would be a good place to start with potential main themes. Miss Helen silently removed herself from the standard Judeo-Christian church in her town after her husband died. She does this to pursue her own set of spiritual ideas. She isn't necessarily anti-god or anti-religion. Miss Helen simply isn't spiritually fed by the Christian church in her area. Rather, her spirituality is best fed through her creative outpourings. Her sculpture garden is her church, and adding to that holy place is her form of worship and prayer. You could perhaps discuss a possible theme that explores the idea that there is a necessity of creative freedom in each of us, and Miss Helen is this play's concrete example of it. Despite the play's title and the fact that all of the sculptures face east, Miss Helen is not a Muslim, nor is she seeking to become a Muslim. Rather, the east facing sculptures are more symbolic of her breaking with the traditional Christian church in her area. Miss Helen's actions put her at odds with the community; therefore, a theme to explore is about pursuing personal independence over being forced to conform to societal norms.

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