Question 3 WOLE SOYINKA: The Lion and the Jewel
How do Baroka and Lakule view courtship and marriage in the play?
Observation
This is a popular question that requires the candidates to provide an in-depth explanation of how Baroka and Lakunle view courtship and marriage. However, most candidates only centred on the interactions between the two characters.
A good response should contain:
- The theme of conflict between tradition and modernity.
- Identification of Baroka, Lakunle and Sidi as characters in the play.
- Lakunle’s view: uses bombast English to impress Sidi, insists on not paying the bride price, sees marriage as monogamous and western.
- Baroka’s view: sees marriage as polygamous and a traditional affair.
- Assessment: Lakunle’s attempts fail but Baroka’s traditional methods pay off.
The candidates’ performance was average.