THE THEME OF SUBJUGATION IN ATHOL FUGARD, JOHN KANI AND WINSTON NTSHONA'S THE ISLAND

ABSTRACT This study examines the theme of subjugation in Athol Fugard's play The Island, which tells the story of two prisoners, Winston and John, who are imprisoned on Robben Island during the apartheid era in South Africa. Through a critical analysis of the play, this research reveals how Fugard portrays the brutal and dehumanizing effects of subjugation on individuals and society, including the ways in which subjugation can be used as a tool of social control, forcing individuals to conform to the norms and expectations of the dominant group. The play also highlights the ways in which subjugation can be internalized by individuals, leading to a loss of autonomy and agency, and explores the ways in which individuals resist and defy oppressive systems of power, including through solidarity, collective action, and performance. This research demonstrates how The Island provides a powerful critique of subjugation and oppression, and highlights the importance of resistance, defiance, and human dignity in the face of overwhelming oppression, offering a nuanced and complex portrayal of the effects of subjugation on individuals and society.