The Lion and The Jewel main character Sidi sitting in the middle of the picture wearing a striped dress with the outlines of two male faces on other side of her

The Lion and the Jewel

by Wole Soyinka

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Student Question

What are the people of Ilujinle's feelings towards Lakunle in "The Lion and the Jewel"?

Quick answer:

The people of Ilujinle view Lakunle as a madman and a fool because he rejects traditional customs in favor of modern Western ideas. His progressive thoughts and use of "big words" are not well received, leading the villagers, including Sidi, to criticize and jeer at him. They question why he is allowed to run the school, as they believe his ideas are corrupting the youth. Overall, Lakunle's nontraditional views make him an outcast in the village.

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Lakunle is the village school teacher who displays contempt for traditional ways of life. Lakunle values Western civilization and is a vocal advocate for modernization and progress. At the beginning of the novel, Lakunle asks Sidi to marry him but refuses to pay the bride-price. Sidi laughs and criticizes Lakunle by telling him that the villagers call him the madman of Ilujinle. Sidi also says that everyone, including children, call Lakunle a fool. She chastises Lakunle for his use of "big words" and new concepts that are not yet fully accepted in the village of Ilujinle. Lakunle curses the villagers for their insults and backward way of life. Sidi also mentions that people jeer at Lakunle in the town, and the villagers question why he is allowed to run the school. Lakunle is nontraditional and most of the villagers, including Sidi, think he is crazy for his progressive thoughts and...

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How do the people of Ilujinle feel about Lakunle and why?

At the beginning of the play, Lakunle urges Sidi to not carry loads of water on her head and to dress more modestly. Sidi responds by criticizing Lakunle and saying that everyone calls him the madman from Ilujinle. She says that people curse him for his big words with no meaning and that everyone considers him a fool, even the children. Lakunle tells Sidi that his progressive ideas are accepted in Lagos and other advanced villages. Sidi asks him if he is aware of what they call him in the village. She also asks if Lakunle has no shame when he hears the people jeer at him throughout the town. She goes on to tell him that people think he is mad and questions why they let him run the school. She tells him that he's ruining his pupils, and they will eventually utter madness like he does. The reason the villagers think Lakunle is mad is because he neglects traditional customs and favors modern Western civilization. Lakunle is interested in reading, writing, and supports progressive thoughts. His values are different from his neighbors' which is why he is viewed as a madman.

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