The Imagery of the Pygmy
Martin McDonagh observes, “a tiny black woman, elegantly dressed, a small black muslin bag covering her missing left foot” (Part 1, scene 1). Here, the pygmy’s disability is apparent. Aside from her shortness, she is deficient of a leg which amplifies her vulnerability. Besides, the narrator wonders, “Your husband’s dead so he can’t help you and your children are dead so they can’t help you.” These remarks allude to the pygmy’s aloneness and defenselessness. She is weathering her captivity by herself as there is no one to liberate her.
The Imagery of the Ovation
Martin McDonagh describes, “A thunderous ovation, flowers thrown, etc., as Hans comes down from the dais and shakes hands with all and sundry, keeping an eye on the bloody men who are not applauding. In fact they gesture to the Press Man, who goes over to them, which strikes Hans as doubly strange ” ( Part 1, scene 2). The flowers are representative of the audience’s pleasure with Han’s reading which they consider to be his own inventiveness. However, the ‘bloody men’ are figurative of the impending jeopardy which is embodied in their bloodiness.
