The Samaritan by John Lara – Act 1 Scene 1 Analysis

The Botched Award

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1. Introduction / Overview

This opening scene sets the stage for The Samaritan, a socially conscious play by John Lara that interrogates corruption, governance, youth innovation, and the struggle between truth and power. The action unfolds at Sagrada Secondary School in Maracas Municipality during the end-of-year closing ceremony, where the Mayor is expected to launch an award-winning student innovation — a mobile app named The Samaritan. What begins as a celebratory event quickly turns into a confrontation between idealistic youths and self-serving leaders, exposing the collision between civic truth and political fear that drives the entire play.

2. Detailed Scene Summary (Plot Approach)

The play opens in the Sagrada Secondary School Hall, where students, teachers, and local leaders gather for the end-of-year closing ceremony. The Deputy Principal, Mr. Carmona, proudly announces the highlight of the day — the launch of The Samaritan, the winning innovation in the National Innovation Competition. His tone of civic pride sets a mood of excitement and expectation.

The Principal, Madam Narine, welcomes the guests and introduces Ms. Nicole, the teacher behind the project, described as “an uncompromising moralist” (p.3). She praises her students, Alvita and Montano,  Nicole invites Alvita and Montano to dramatize their idea through a short skit — a creative blend of art, technology, and ethics.

Montano begins the performance with dark humour, imagining a future of moral and social decay: “Millions of young people were loitering aimlessly... people were being slaughtered like chicken” (p.5). His words, though exaggerated, mirror the reality of unemployment and corruption. Alvita responds with optimism, envisioning a future shaped by knowledge and innovation: “People had become so creative that they designed intelligent robots that replaced even professionals” (p.7). Nicole guides the discussion, grounding their imagination in moral reflection.

Alvita introduces The Samaritan, a mobile app that allows citizens to report illegal activities or misuse of public funds. She explains, “You just download the app into your phone... post whatever information you want to share” (p.11). The innovation excites the audience but unsettles Mayor Mossi, who questions, “Good people? Are there any good people around here?” (p.13). His sarcasm reveals fear of exposure, not concern for truth.

Pretending to be supportive, Mossi praises the students’ effort, then abruptly withdraws his approval: “We will neither launch the innovation nor present the prize today” (p.15). He orders Nicole to falsify a withdrawal letter — an act she firmly resists, declaring, “I will do what is right” (p.18). The scene ends in uneasy silence as the students are sent out of the hall, confused and heartbroken. The ceremony that began with celebration ends with moral confrontation — truth silenced by power.

Contrasting Visions of the Future in The Samaritan by John Lara

In the play, Alvita and Montano’s imagined futures capture two opposing moral and social outlooks. Montano’s vision is dystopian — a world ruined by corruption, climate change, and moral decay. Alvita’s is utopian — a society redeemed through creativity, technology, and justice. Their dialogue dramatizes the tension between despair and hope, realism and imagination, fear and faith in human innovation.

Aspect	Montano’s Vision (Dystopian)	Alvita’s Vision (Utopian)
Tone and Outlook	Dark, pessimistic, fatalistic.	Bright, idealistic, hopeful.
Society’s Condition	Cities are filthy and lawless; people starve and die young.	Society is clean, just, and technologically advanced.
Employment	Rampant joblessness; even educated people are cobblers or beggars.	Machines handle labor; humans pursue intellectual and creative work.
Technology	Little progress; scarcity and decay dominate.	Rapid innovation; robots and AI maintain order and justice.
Climate and Environment	Devastated by drought and pollution; people eat plastics to survive.	Climate restored through technology that cleans the air.
Law and Justice	Corrupt officials and criminal gangs rule; law is for the rich.	Justice delivered by impartial, intelligent machines; equality before the law.
Human Life	Short life expectancy (30–40 years).	Extended life span (up to 700 years).
Moral Vision	Warns of consequences of greed, corruption, and neglect.	Celebrates human creativity, responsibility, and possibility.
Underlying Message	Without moral reform, humanity will destroy itself.	Through ethical innovation, humanity can rebuild and transcend limits.

Interpretive Note

John Lara uses these contrasting “visions” to dramatize the moral crossroads facing society. Montano’s bleak prophecy mirrors present corruption and environmental collapse; Alvita’s dream reflects youthful optimism and belief in moral progress through technology. The audience is left to decide which future seems more believable — and which they are helping to create.

3. Themes and Issues

a) Corruption and Abuse of Power

Mayor Mossi personifies corruption and the misuse of authority. His reaction to The Samaritan app — a digital innovation designed to expose wrongdoing — reveals his fear of public accountability. Instead of celebrating the students’ success, he ridicules their moral idealism: “Good people? Are there any good people around here?” (p.13). The Mayor’s mockery disguises his insecurity. When he cancels the launch, saying the event must be “postponed,” his true motive is to protect his political image. Through this, the playwright exposes how leaders often suppress ideas that threaten their comfort, echoing the decay of public ethics in many postcolonial societies.

b) Integrity and Moral Courage

Nicole stands as the moral compass of the play. Despite pressure from the Mayor to forge a withdrawal letter, she asserts her principles: “I will do what is right.” (p.17). Her stand contrasts sharply with the fear and silence around her. Nicole’s integrity demonstrates that moral courage does not always roar; sometimes it is the calm refusal to betray one’s values. In a world where truth is often punished, she models the teacher’s duty — to nurture honesty, even at personal cost.

c) Youth Innovation and Empowerment

Alvita and Montano represent the creative and intellectual energy of the youth. Their invention, The Samaritan app, seeks to fight corruption through technology. Alvita’s conviction that “lack of knowledge is darker than night” (p.7) captures the spirit of enlightenment that education should inspire. When they present their idea, the students believe their society is ready for transparency — yet the adults’ fear exposes the real barrier: not lack of ideas, but lack of moral will. John Lara uses their idealism to argue that the future belongs to the bold, informed, and ethical youth who refuse to be silenced.

d) Knowledge and Ignorance

Throughout the scene, education is presented as both light and liberation. Alvita’s speech about knowledge illuminates this theme: “Lack of knowledge is darker than night.” (p.7). The line carries moral weight, linking ignorance to social decay. The students’ awareness and innovation stand in direct opposition to the Mayor’s ignorance — not of facts, but of conscience. The play suggests that ignorance is not simply the absence of learning, but the deliberate refusal to know, to change, or to listen. Knowledge, in this sense, becomes an act of resistance.

e) Technology and the Future

The Samaritan app itself becomes a metaphor for the double-edged nature of progress. Alvita’s faith in technology as a moral tool contrasts with Montano’s cynicism. She envisions a world where innovation serves humanity, while Montano warns that “machines may replace even the human heart” (paraphrased, p.8). This tension reflects society’s broader struggle — whether technology will liberate or enslave. John Lara’s message is cautious optimism: that the future depends not on invention alone, but on the ethics guiding it.

f) Gender and Voice

Through Alvita, the playwright challenges gender stereotypes. Her intelligence, eloquence, and confidence redefine what it means to be a young woman in a patriarchal society. When she confidently explains their innovation before male authority figures, she reclaims the space often denied to women. Madam Narine’s calm authority and Nicole’s moral firmness further reinforce this theme — showing that female leadership can be both rational and principled. The line “Ideas have no gender, only truth” (p.9) crystallizes this idea: intellectual value is not determined by gender but by wisdom and integrity.

Summary Note

Each theme in Act 1 Scene 1 of The Samaritan converges on one question: What happens when truth meets power? Lara uses the school as a microcosm of the nation — where innovation, integrity, and youthful hope are tested against corruption and fear. The result is a powerful reflection on moral leadership and the courage to do right when doing right is costly.

4. Characterization (Traits and Roles)

Ms. Nicole

Traits: Intelligent, principled, firm, and courageous.

Role: Represents moral integrity and the power of ethical education.

Ms. Nicole is the moral backbone of the play. She mentors her students not just to compete but to think critically and act ethically. Her calm defiance before Mayor Mossi defines her strength. When the Mayor orders her to withdraw the innovation, she replies quietly, “I will do what is right.” (p. 17). The line is brief but decisive—it captures her conscience-driven leadership. Throughout the scene, she remains composed even as authority tries to bend her will. Nicole’s poise and firmness reveal a teacher who believes that learning must serve truth, not politics. She stands for educators who guide with integrity despite pressure from power, showing that moral courage in the classroom is a form of leadership.

Alvita

Traits: Visionary, articulate, confident, and idealistic.

Role: Represents hope, innovation, and the moral imagination of the youth.

Alvita is the intellectual centre of the student team and the voice of optimism in the play. She introduces The Samaritan app with composure and conviction, explaining how it will help citizens report social wrongs and promote accountability within the community (p. 13–14). Her belief in ethical innovation contrasts with the fear and suspicion of older leaders. When the Mayor questions the project’s purpose, Alvita answers calmly, defending its intention to serve the public good. Her tone throughout the presentation is respectful yet firm, showing that courage and intellect can coexist. Through Alvita, John Lara celebrates the power of educated youth—those who dream not for praise, but for justice.

Montano

Traits: Realistic, humorous, skeptical, loyal.

Role: Provides comic relief and a grounded critique of society’s failures.

Montano balances Alvita’s idealism with humour and realism. In the skit, he paints a grim vision of the future, saying that “millions of young people were loitering aimlessly in the streets and villages without gainful employment... people were being slaughtered like chicken.” (p. 6). His exaggerated imagery is both comic and tragic—it exposes his awareness of social decay, unemployment, and moral collapse. While his tone is playful, his words echo the frustrations of a generation betrayed by leadership. Later, his casual remarks about truth and power carry a quiet cynicism that reflects how ordinary citizens have grown fearful of challenging authority. Through Montano, John Lara uses humour not to trivialize reality, but to reveal it. He represents a society that laughs through its pain yet still hopes for change.

Mayor Mossi

Traits: Arrogant, manipulative, insecure, authoritarian.

Role: Embodies political corruption and fear of accountability.

Mayor Mossi’s character drives the central conflict. He begins with a show of generosity, praising the innovation as “a brilliant idea, truly patriotic.” But moments later, he reverses himself, declaring, “We will neither launch the innovation nor present the prize today.” (p.16). The abrupt shift exposes his duplicity — a mask of leadership concealing moral decay. His rhetorical question, “Good people? Are there any good people around here?” (p.13), reveals both cynicism and guilt. Mossi fears the light of truth the students bring. His decision to silence The Samaritan mirrors how systems of power crush honesty to maintain control. Lara crafts him not as a caricature but as a familiar figure — the well-spoken, self-praising leader who hides corruption beneath the language of caution.

Madam Narine

Traits: Diplomatic, cautious, and institutional.

Role: Represents moderation and the struggle to maintain professionalism within political interference.

Madam Narine acts as the bridge between authority and education. When the Mayor interrupts the school’s event, she attempts to ease tension rather than confront him directly. Her words and tone show restraint—she understands the sensitivity of the situation and tries to protect the school’s image without escalating conflict.

Lara presents her as a professional administrator caught between truth and survival, showing how systems often silence honest reformers through fear of authority. Madam Narine’s diplomacy, though limited, is a form of wisdom — she safeguards stability where open defiance might destroy it.

Hon. Basdeo

Traits: Witty, observant, subtly critical.

Role: Represents the conscience within the political class and exposes hypocrisy through humour.

Hon. Basdeo provides comic irony that reveals uncomfortable truths about power. In Act 1 Scene 1, when the Mayor parades his false concern for “youth innovation,” Basdeo’s light remarks undercut the pretence, hinting at skepticism toward Mossi’s motives. Though he does not openly oppose the Mayor, his tone and timing reveal a man aware of political deception.

Through Basdeo, Lara introduces satire — showing how even within corrupt systems, there are voices that see clearly but survive through irony rather than confrontation.

Summary Note

John Lara builds his characters as moral contrasts and narrative tools. Each serves a specific purpose in shaping the play’s themes, style, and plot movement.

Ms. Nicole and her students drive the theme of integrity and innovation, showing how truth can survive under pressure. Their dialogue, often marked by reason and restraint, also contributes to the play’s calm, persuasive tone.

Mayor Mossi functions both thematically and symbolically — he personifies corruption and moral decay, representing the broader political disease the playwright critiques. His exaggerated confidence and public speeches create satire, adding humour while exposing hypocrisy.

Madam Narine’s diplomacy introduces realism and restraint in tone. Through her, Lara explores how institutions often compromise between ideals and survival, a conflict central to the play’s moral tension.

Hon. Basdeo’s wit provides comic relief and stylistic contrast, softening tension while sharpening criticism. His subtle remarks highlight dramatic irony, allowing the audience to see the truth that characters in power ignore.

Together, these figures do more than tell a story — they reveal a society at war with its conscience. The Samaritan becomes not just a political play, but a social reflection where education, youth, and truth confront the entrenched comfort of corruption.

5. Stylistic Devices and Their Effectiveness

Device	Example / Reference	Effect
Irony	The Mayor praises innovation but secretly suppresses it.	Reveals hypocrisy in political leadership.
Symbolism	The Samaritan app.	Represents civic responsibility and moral awakening.
Contrast	Alvita’s hopeful vision vs. Montano’s bleak one.	Highlights the crossroads between progress and decay.
Humour	Montano’s exaggerations about future decay.	Softens social critique and sustains reader interest.
Foreshadowing	Mayor’s discomfort during the presentation.	Hints at future conflict over the app.
Imagery	Descriptions of pollution, hunger, decay.	Creates vivid social realism.
Biblical Allusion	Reference to the Good Samaritan.	Connects moral duty to faith and compassion.

6. Relevance of the Title

The title The Samaritan alludes to the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, symbolizing compassion and civic virtue. In the play, it stands for ordinary citizens who act for the public good without expectation of reward. The app’s name mirrors the play’s moral call — to serve humanity through honesty, courage, and innovation.

7. Moral Lessons / Author’s Message

1. Integrity is the foundation of true leadership.

Lara contrasts Ms. Nicole’s honesty with Mayor Mossi’s hypocrisy to show that leadership without integrity is hollow. Nicole’s calm defiance when Mossi tries to politicize the students’ innovation demonstrates moral courage in a compromised system. The Mayor, by contrast, uses authority to silence truth. Through this opposition, the playwright argues that real leadership rests not on power, but on principle.

2. Youth innovation can transform society.

Alvita and Montano’s project, The Samaritan App, symbolizes the creative potential of young minds when education meets purpose. Their idea is not merely technical; it reflects compassion and civic responsibility. Lara uses the students’ voices to affirm that a nation’s future depends on how it values and empowers its youth. When the Mayor feels threatened by their invention, the audience sees how innovation exposes the insecurity of corrupt power.

3. Technology should be guided by ethics and service.

The play warns that invention without moral grounding can mirror the very corruption it seeks to solve. Alvita’s optimism is tempered by Nicole’s guidance — that knowledge must serve humanity, not ego. The Samaritan App, by its name and design, carries the ethic of service: helping those ignored by institutions. Lara’s message is clear — progress without conscience is regression in disguise.

4. Silence enables corruption; courage reforms it.

Several characters reveal different responses to wrongdoing. Madam Narine’s quiet diplomacy contrasts with Nicole’s open firmness. Lara does not condemn silence outright, but shows its cost — when good people remain cautious too long, the corrupt thrive. The students’ willingness to speak truth before authority becomes the play’s moral centre, suggesting that change begins when fear ends.

5. Good governance requires transparency and empathy.

Mayor Mossi’s downfall is moral, not political. He hides behind slogans and pretends to serve “the people” while pursuing self-interest. Lara uses satire to show that leadership without empathy breeds oppression. In contrast, Nicole’s mentorship and the students’ concern for community welfare model governance as service. The play’s title — The Samaritan — itself invokes compassion, reminding readers that true power is measured by how leaders care for the vulnerable.

Moral and Political Lessons from the Mayor’s Reaction to the App

Aspect	Observation / Evidence from Scene	Emerging Lesson / Interpretation
Fear of Exposure	The Mayor panics when the App begins to reveal hidden financial details of municipal leaders.	Truth unsettles corrupt systems; those who fear exposure often have something to hide.
Power and Control	The Mayor demands to “shut it down” and suppress the App’s data, showing anxiety over losing authority.	Leaders who equate transparency with rebellion betray moral insecurity.
Public Image vs. Private Reality	He speaks of “protecting the city’s reputation” while concealing wrongdoing.	Hypocrisy sustains corruption; moral decay thrives under polished appearances.
Complicity and Silence	Other officials echo his panic but avoid confronting the truth directly.	Moral failure often depends on collective silence, not just individual guilt.
Resistance to Change	The Mayor calls the Samaritan “a troublemaker,” framing reformers as threats.	Those who challenge impunity face hostility; progress demands courage against entrenched power.

Act 1 Scene 1 establishes the central conflict between truth and power. Through sharp dialogue and satire, John Lara exposes how political fear undermines moral progress. The youth and their teacher, however, emerge as symbols of hope — reminding us that moral courage is the highest form of patriotism.

Continue reading: Act 1 Scene 2 Analysis → Here

Verification Note: This analysis is based on the authentic text of The Samaritan by John Lara, interpreted for educational use under the CBC Literature framework for senior secondary schools.