28 pages • 56 minutes read
Dream on Monkey Mountain
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Book Brief
336
Play • Fiction
Caribbean Island • Unspecified
1970
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Dream on Monkey Mountain by Derek Walcott is an allegorical post-colonial play set on an unnamed Caribbean island where a jailed black man named Makak, who despises his own identity, dreams that a white goddess inspires him to become an African king, transforming his former jailer into his new enforcer. Themes include colonial oppression, racial identity, and dreams versus reality. This story includes depictions of imprisonment, violence, and racial discrimination.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Dark
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
560 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Dream on Monkey Mountain by Derek Walcott has received acclaim for its poetic language and exploration of post-colonial identity. Reviewers praise its rich imagery and complex themes, though some find its abstract narrative challenging. Overall, the play is celebrated for its profound cultural insights and evocative storytelling, despite occasional difficulties in clarity.
Who Should Read Dream on Monkey Mountain?
Readers who relish rich, poetic language and themes exploring post-colonial identity, myth, and spirituality will appreciate Derek Walcott's Dream on Monkey Mountain. Comparable to works like Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Aimé Césaire’s A Tempest, this play appeals to those intrigued by cultural narrative and historical reflection.
560 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Moustique
Moustique
Makak’s friend and charcoal business associate, who is pragmatic and often skeptical, particularly about Makak's dreams and visions.
Corporal Lestrade
Corporal Lestrade
A biracial law enforcement official who grapples with his racial identity and his role within the colonial authority structure.
Basil
Basil
A mysterious and foreboding figure who appears as a carpenter and coffin maker, often bringing omens and dark tidings.
Tigre and Souris
Tigre and Souris
Two prisoners alongside Makak in jail, with their relationship mirroring a deeper symbolic dichotomy seen throughout the play.
336
Play • Fiction
Caribbean Island • Unspecified
1970
Adult
18+ years
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