English B
Casey Ann Hudson
Mrs. Grandson
Essay writing (The Lion and the Jewel)

In The Lion and Jewel two men go in pursuit of Sidi a) Explain fully why Baroka emerge victory over Lakunle (8m) b) Comment on Soyinka’s use of stage direction or pantomime, discuss the dramatic effects (9m) c) Discuss the similarities between Baroka and Soyinka (8m)

In the book of the Lion and Jewel by Soyinka; two men, Baroka and Lakunle go in pursuit of the village beauty Sidi .Soyinka uses stage direction, that is how the characters appear on stage as to how they exit and the pantomime which gives use insight into the past as well as how the chief Baroka emerges victory over the schoolmaster, Lakunle. Throughout the play we see several similarities between the Bale and the author of the book, Soyinka. Lakunle, the schoolmaster is very intrigued with the whole idea of civilization and modernity. He forces his way of civilization on Sidi, the jewel of Ilujinle, the girl he wishes to marry, however Sidi being very sassy and loyal to her culture doesn’t wish to be modern or understanding to anything modern e.g. when Lakunle kisses her she quickly push him away and says she find the thing he does with his mouth disgusting. She often insults and calls him mad; whenever she does this he quickly disrespects her. Example of this is seen in Morning when he refers to her as a Bush girl with a small mind. While Baroka on the other hand, referred to as the cunning fox uses his tricks (reverse psychology) and sweet talks to manipulate her. Baroka rather than inflicting modernity on her he uses it to woe her, example of this is seen in Night when he promises her that her face will be on stamps to represent Ilujinle.
Lakunle being very modern refuses to pay the bridal price to marry Sidi, believes that paying the price would meant that he is purchasing a slave and not a wife while Baroka on the other sends his older Sadiku to inform Sidi that he wishes to marry and invites her to a little celebration in her honour. This would mean that Baroka really wants to pursue her and make her his wife by any means. Baroka knowing Side’s conceitedness use reverse psychology making her feel like nothing when she enter his bedroom (putting her down) by barely noticing her then quickly gets in her head , making her feel good (build her up with promises).
Baroka is very ambitious, he gets what he wants by any means, Lakunle on the other hand is more focused on changing the way the Africans live rather than paying keen attention to his jewel resulting in Baroka having greater chances of winning her. Baroka posses’ ultimate power over his people and with this power come knowledge, because of his knowledge he outsmarts everyone around him. He uses oldest wife Sadiku to inform Sidi of his competence (knowing she would run her mouth) knowing that Sidi would come and his younger would not be there. While Lakunle uses dictionary words to insult and confused Sidi. Soyinka uses the pantomime-which acts as a time capsule in which the audience gains insight into what has happened before the opening stage direction to make the plot flow neatly and nicely. Had he not use the pantomime we would not know how is it that Sidi has now become the jewel and why is it that Baroka and Lakunle seeks her as a wife, had he not use the pantomime we wouldn’t be aware of how different the African culture is as oppose to modern living, had Soyinka not use the pantomime we would not be aware of how little technology is in the Ilujinle. It simple acts as a recollection of past events, how the lost traveller came and put everything into place smoothly. Soyinka use the pantomime to advanced the play, rather than have the play be long and boring he simply inserts the pantomime.
Throughout the play we hear a little bit of the play writer’s voice through Baroka –one of the main characters, the village chief. We can even say they are similar in the sense that they seem to have everything under control. Baroka being the chief or head of Ilujinle has control over his people, this he use in his own interest the way he controls his wives and concubines e.g. each has kneel before addressing him. The way he controls the amount of modernity that enters Ilujinle. E.g. he keeps the letters and stamps in his house. Soyinka possesses that same skill of control over his character. Both Soyinka and Baroka aim to preserve the African culture, Soyinka’s way of preserving his culture is writing this book/play. Baroka, in the sense, that he keeps the idea of modernity away from the people and hides it in his house.
In conclusion Soyinka uses pantomime to advance the play and gives us insight into the past and how the past gives reason for the future. Baroka used his tricks and sweet talk to pursue the jewel. In the end we were aware that play writes and characters can have things in common.