THEMES OF THE PLAY THE LION AND THE JEWEL BY WOLE AKINWANDE BABATUNDE SOYINKA
The main theme of the Lion and the Jewel is the method the Lion (Bale Baroka) uses to hunt the Jewel (Sidi). It is a strategy based on deceit and stealth. Secondary themes are:
Advancing modernization versus traditional customs and beliefs; and marginalization and abuse of women.
The play's theme refers to its central idea. It is the philosophy that forms the basis of the story and usually provides a moral lesson for the characters and conveys a message to the audience.
One of the underlying theme of the drama is the marginalization and abuse of women and their being viewed as intellectually inferior to men. The traditional customs and beliefs are so deeply ingrained that the women of Ilujinle themselves seem quite comfortable with being treated as mere property that can be bought. Sidi thought that her bride price should be reflective of her beauty and celebrity status. Women are seen primarily as sex objects and face sexual abuse. For example, Lakunle admonished Sidi that her exposed shoulders could subject her to open public sexual abuse. "Does it worry you... the bad names, the lewd jokes, the tongue–licking noises which girls, uncovered like you, draw after them?"
It is noteworthy that Lakunle, a fervent advocate of modernization, finds it difficult to break free from certain traditional beliefs and customs, which advance his cause, such as regarding women as intellectually inferior.
Another theme is the Conflict between westernisation and traditional beliefs and culture. It is reflected in the contrasting efforts of Baroka and Lakunle, representing traditional and modernity, respectively, to win Sidi's hand in marriage. Lakunle lost because he refused to pay the bride price, a customary requirement for marriage. This theme has proven Soyinka's side with the tradition and customs of his people, which include polygamy, sexism, feminism, manipulation ; political corruption ; resistance to change ; and the self–indulgence of the Bale.
These qualities of tradition comes face to face with Lakunle's way of living. While he (Lakunle) does not care about bride price and prefer city living with nurtured modernity, Baroka, the chief, reserves the custom of cunning way of wining young girls to his favour. Of course, Sidi almost became a threat to him. Left to him the best way was to wed her so that she can become her property. This was merely impossible but as a man who believed in the tradition of the people and knowing fully well that once he outfox her she can become her property, that he does. As customs demands, a man who deflowers a woman should marry her. Lakunle of course didn't care about what has happened to her (Sidi) and is still resistant to marry her but that is not what custom demands. So Sidi finally resides into marrying a man who she once rejected.
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