Throughout the play The Lion and the Jewel, Lakunle is an outspoken opponent of traditional Yoruba culture and is an enthusiastic supporter of Western civilization. At the beginning of the play, Lakunle criticizes Sidi for carrying water on her head and wearing revealing clothing. Sidi responds by saying, "Is it you, Lakunle, telling me that I make myself common talk? When the whole world knows of the madman of Ilujinle, who calls himself a teacher!" (Soyinka 3). In addition to calling Lakunle the "madman of Ilujinle," the villagers also refer to him as a "fool." Sidi explains that Lakunle goes around to each household criticizing them with his "fine airs and little sense." Lakunle unapologetically scrutinizes the villagers of Ilujinle for their traditional ways of life which is why they view him with contempt and call him derogatory names. Lakunle clearly does not respect the villagers and tells Sidi that they are a "race of savages." Lakunle then criticizes Sidi for having a smaller brain because she is a woman. His comments and antagonistic nature portray him as an ignorant, insensitive individual, deserving of his nicknames.