Discuss Wole Soyinka’s Play “The Lion and the Jewel” is About the Victory of Traditional Values over Western ones.

Answer

“Wole Soyinka’s play ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ is about the victory of traditional values over Western ones.”—Elucidate.

Or, what ‘modernizing influences’ do you see changing African society in “The Lion and the Jewel”? Do these changes appear good for African society?

In Wole Soyinka’s (1934-present) “The Lion and the Jewel” (1959), modernization plays a big role in changing the traditional way of life in the Nigerian village of Ilujinle. The play tells the story of how Baroka, the cunning village chief, fights with the modern schoolteacher Lakunle over the right to marry Sidi. Through this story, Soyinka shows how Western ideas (modernization) are affecting African society. While modernization brings new opportunities and ideas, the play suggests that these changes may not always be good for African society—when it is forced on people’s free will.

Western Education and Cultural Changes: One of the biggest modernizing influences in the play is Western education. Lakunle, who represents modernization, is educated in the capital city of Lagos. He admires Western ideas like gender equality, modern technology, and European-style marriages. Lakunle refuses to pay Sidi’s bride-price because he considers it an outdated and barbaric tradition. He values modern thinking over tradition. Lakunle thinks paying bride-price for a wife is like buying a cow from the village market:

“To pay the price would be

To buy a heifer off the market stall.”

While this idea sounds fair, Lakunle’s actions reveal that his understanding is shallow. He claims to believe in equality, but his actions show otherwise. He calls Sidi ignorant and insults her intelligence:

“You are as stubborn

As an illiterate goat.”

It suggests that Lakunle’s “modern” beliefs are shallow. He tries to force his ideas on her without respecting her views.

This shows one negative side of modernization: it can make people like Lakunle look down on their own culture and traditions. Instead of understanding Sidi’s point and working to improve African traditions, Lakunle blindly follows Western ways. He ignores the values and customs of his village. This attitude creates a divide between him and the rest of the villagers. He ultimately loses his love Sidi, as she chooses the more powerful village chief, Baroka.

Rejection of Traditional Values: Modernization also leads to a rejection of traditional African values. Lakunle criticizes the customs of Ilujinle, such as bride-price and polygamy. However, he does not offer practical solutions for the problems these customs may cause. For example, while he wants women to be free and equal, he does not respect Sidi’s choice. Sidi thinks marrying without her bride-price would make her a laughing object in the village. She tells Lakunle:

“Will you make me

A laughing-stock?”

Lakunle does not respect Sidi’s choice to follow her village’s traditions. This creates a situation where modernization is seen as a threat to cultural identity.

Baroka, the Bale, opposes modernization when it does not suit him. He prevents a railway from being built near the village. He claims it would destroy their way of life. However, Baroka is not completely against modernization. He uses a stamp-making machine to modernize his administration, but this benefits only him. This shows another problem: modernization often benefits only those in power.

Cultural Identity: The influence of Western culture also creates confusion and loss of identity. Sidi’s photographs in the magazine symbolize how modernization objectifies African beauty. Sidi becomes proud and vain. She thinks her beauty gives her power. She says:

“I am greater than … the living god among men.”

This pride blinds her to Baroka’s trickery. Baroka manipulates and rapes her. Through this, Soyinka shows how modernization can strip people of their cultural identity.

In essence, Wole Soyinka highlights the negative effects of modernization on African society in “The Lion and the Jewel”. Western education and the rejection of traditions can create division. Soyinka suggests that modernization is not inherently bad, but it should work alongside traditions, not against them. Modernization must preserve cultural identity.