Characterization in the Lion and the JewelThe Lion and the Jewel Characterization in the PlayAngel Caglin , 2015Wole Soyinka explores the issue of tradition versus modernity in his play The Lion and the Jewel. He does this very effectively through his portrayal of his three main characters, who not only entertain the audience through their actions, but also serve to represent Africa and the choices that she faces. The playwright makes the differences between the opposing cultures clear by contrasting the two male actors, especially with regard to their physical appearance and their behaviors. By having both characters focus their attention on the village maiden, Sidi, Soyinka cleverly demonstrates how his country may well react to the options available to her. There is a marked difference in appearance between Lakunle and Baroka. When Lakunle is first presented to us, he is seen as a school teacher of relatively young age- twenty three. Baroka, on the other hand, is over sixty years of age and is the village chief. Right away, Baroka is presented as superior to Lakunle, both in experience as he is older and therefore wiser, and in social standing since he is the Bale. Even in dress, there is a difference: Lakunle is squeezed into ill-fitting European style clothing that makes him stand out in the village, while Baroka wears his traditional robe that identifies him as the chief. Furthermore, Lakunle is no match for Baroka who is powerful in stature, with a wrestler’s build.
The contrast extends to the characters’ behaviors as well. The main preoccupation of both men is the winning of Sidi; the speech that each uses could not be more different. Lakunle uses European style speech, going so far as to recite a long list of adjectives that he learnt from the dictionary, when he gives his opinion of the village traditions. Most of the time, Sidi cannot even understand what he is trying to say and makes it clear that he is being ridiculed in the village because of the way he speaks. This does not stop him from quoting the Bible and scientific research to support his claims that Sidi should marry him. Baroka’s speech is full of the Africian sayings and proverbs that Sidi is used to, which makes it easier for him to catch and hold her attention, and to paint pictures in her head that flatter her.
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The main preoccupation of men is the winning of Sidi; the speech that each uses could not be more different. Lakunle uses European style speech, going so far as to recite a long list of adjectives that he learnt from the dictionary, when he gives his opinion of the village traditions. Most of the time, Sidi cannot even understand what he is trying to say and makes it clear that he is being ridiculed in the village because of the way he speaks. This does not stop him from quoting the Bible and scientific research to support his claims that Sidi should marry me.’ In some circles in Europe, people might see Sidi as a different kind of person from the western world that is a little different, having a different approach to the world. He is not a stereotypical or eccentric individual, but the world, as the West teaches us, is shaped by his choices. I, on the other hand, understand Sidi not as an independent man, even though, as I have explained above, he does not have a certain cultural background in that country. His actions and actions may sometimes take a direction different from those of the man who really is at the best in this life and those who will not be that way till later in life or so he might be treated with respect rather than scorn in his life. In other words he is, in most ways, a man who is happy. It is not as if he does something or is doing exactly what some of the other countries would do. The truth is that most of the other countries would not. Some of the countries that would do something to be better would not be so fortunate. That being said, I do not believe that Sidi is unique or what the West believes. He is certainly not the greatest person in this world. The world is quite different even now that things are getting better. I believe that some of the Western guys and the other world boys who have been given to this mindset that they feel that they are better or who deserve more respect from the authorities have now learned that they should be treated well in society or worse than other kids.
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The main preoccupation of men is the winning of Sidi; the speech that each uses could not be more different. Lakunle uses European style speech, going so far as to recite a long list of adjectives that he learnt from the dictionary, when he gives his opinion of the village traditions. Most of the time, Sidi cannot even understand what he is trying to say and makes it clear that he is being mocked in the village because of the way he speaks. This does not stop him from quoting the Bible and scientific research to support his claims that Sidi should marry me.
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The main preoccupation of men is the winning of Sidi; the speech that each uses could not be more different. Lakunle uses European style speech, going so far as to recite a long list of adjectives that he learnt from the dictionary, when he gives his opinion of the village traditions. Most of the time, Sidhi cannot even understand.