The Trials of Worly the Ward

The Trials of Worly the Ward is a historic fiction that tells the story of abuse, oppression and suppression of wards. Its a story of love, betrayal, violence and death. Using the relationship between wards and their foster parents, the conflict between the social classes and Liberian educational, economic and social realities as background, Thomas lays bare the infected wounds on most Liberians. Many years after the founding of Liberia as an independent nation, an undercurrent of subjugation of wards flowed throughout the country as a right of passage toward education and civilization. Ironically, the once subjugated in America and Liberia became the subjugators. Those once oppressed became the oppressors, and this abnormally cut across social class and ethnic boundaries. Had everyone become a wounded ward?

Worly finds himself a target of abuse, exploitation and restriction. His experience parallels Hnes and others in many households of civilized people. His struggle to break through his shackles is a compelling drama. There are the Grinders whose implosion stems from corruption, betrayal and violence. Worly the ward emerges as the hero who saves Mrs. Grinder from strangulation at the hands of Mr. Grinder. There is Mr Hartman, the hypocrite whose lust results in his tragic death. Then there is Mr. Bookman, who is on the run to escape persecution for corruption. Ultimately, Worly the wounded ward wended his way back to Sarbo longing to see Maryann and awaited the emerging winds of change that had started blowing across Liberia.