Characterization in the Lion and the Jewel

The Lion and the Jewel

Characterization in the Play

Angel Caglin , 2015

Wole 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.