Wole Soyinka – The Lion and the Jewel
Wole Soyinka’s comic play The Lion and the Jewel (1959) is set in the fictional Yoruba village of Ilujinle. It portrays the humorous yet serious conflict between tradition vs modernity, embodied by two men competing for the village beauty, Sidi. The central conflict is between:
- Baroka – the crafty, traditional village chief (The Lion)
- Lakunle – the young, Western-educated schoolteacher
- Sidi – the proud village beauty (The Jewel)
The play is divided into **three sections**: Morning, Noon, and Night.
Summary of the Play
Morning – Introduction of Characters & Conflict
The play opens with Sidi, the beautiful village girl, returning from having her photographs taken by a foreign photographer. Her images have been printed in a magazine, making her famous.
Lakunle, the schoolteacher, wants to marry Sidi but insists she must accept “modern” ideas—such as giving up the traditional bride-price. Sidi mocks him for his arrogance and broken English. Lakunle condemns village customs, calling them “barbaric,” but Sidi refuses marriage without bride-price.
Meanwhile, Baroka, the aging but clever village chief, hears of Sidi’s new fame and decides he must marry her. He represents tradition: polygamous, cunning, powerful.
Noon – Baroka’s Trick & Sidi’s Pride
Sidi hears that Baroka wants to marry her and becomes offended—she believes she is too beautiful for him. She mocks Baroka’s age and past wives.
However, Baroka lays a plan. He spreads a rumour that he is now “too old” and “no longer virile,” deceiving Sidi into thinking he is harmless.
Baroka sends Sadiku, his senior wife, to convince Sidi. Sadiku proudly tells Sidi that Baroka has become impotent. This delights Sidi, who goes to mock him directly.
But Baroka cleverly seduces Sidi, using conversation, flattery, and charm. He promises to make her image appear on stamps and preserve her beauty forever. Sidi falls for his manipulation.
Night – Climax & Resolution
Lakunle is shocked to hear that Sidi has visited Baroka alone. He tries to “modernly” offer marriage without bride-price, assuming he is doing her a favour.
Sidi, however, returns transformed. She announces she will marry Baroka. Lakunle is humiliated and angry, but powerless.
The play ends with celebration: Sidi and Baroka marry, symbolising the triumph of tradition over misguided modernity.
Major Characters
- Baroka – The Lion; cunning, charismatic village chief; symbol of tradition.
- Sidi – The Jewel; proud young woman whose beauty becomes central to the plot.
- Lakunle – Modern schoolteacher; represents shallow Westernization.
- Sadiku – Senior wife of Baroka; messenger and comic figure.
Major Themes
- Tradition vs Modernity – Central conflict between Baroka and Lakunle.
- Gender & Power – Sidi becomes a symbol of pride, beauty, and patriarchal competition.
- Colonial Influence – Western education vs indigenous culture.
- Pride & Manipulation – Sidi’s beauty and Baroka’s cunning shape the outcome.
- Satire – Soyinka humorously criticises blind imitation of Western culture.
Symbols
- The Lion – Baroka; strength, tradition, cunning.
- The Jewel – Sidi; beauty, pride, cultural identity.
- The Magazine Photos – Western gaze; superficial representation of African life.
- The Stamp Plan – Baroka’s strategy to win Sidi by promising immortality through modern means.
Critical Analysis
- The play uses humour and satire to expose the conflict between old African values and emerging Western ideas.
- Lakunle’s modernity is shallow—he imitates Western behaviour without understanding it.
- Baroka’s success shows the resilience and flexibility of tradition.
- Sidi’s pride and naivety make her vulnerable to Baroka’s strategy.
- Soyinka celebrates African identity while criticising both blind tradition and blind modernisation.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Wole Soyinka |
| Play | The Lion and the Jewel (1959) |
| Setting | Ilujinle, a rural Yoruba village |
| Structure | Morning – Noon – Night |
| Main Themes | Tradition vs Modernity, Gender, Cultural Conflict |
| Protagonist | Debatable; Baroka is central |
| Message | True progress respects culture; imitation of the West is not real development. |
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