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

Start Free Trial

The Lion and the Jewel Questions on Lakunle

The Lion and the Jewel Study Tools

Take a quiz Ask a question Start an essay

The Lion and the Jewel

Lakunle, in Wole Soyinka's The Lion and the Jewel, represents modernity and Western influence in postcolonial Nigeria. As a schoolteacher, he criticizes traditional Yoruba customs, aiming to...

6 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

It can be argued that neither Lakunle nor Baroka deserves Sidi’s hand in marriage because each man has flaws that would make him a less-than-ideal husband. Both men are arrogant. Lakunle is...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

The "dance of the lost traveler" in Wole Soyinka's The Lion and the Jewel is a theatrical performance within the play. It depicts a foreign photographer who becomes lost in the village, highlighting...

2 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

In The Lion and the Jewel, character conflicts and tragedies arise from the clash between tradition and modernity. The main conflict centers around Sidi, the village belle, and her suitors: Baroka,...

3 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

In The Lion and the Jewel, both Lakunle and Baroka use persuasive speech to influence others but represent contrasting ideologies. Lakunle, the young schoolteacher, advocates for modernity and...

2 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

Sidi is the village belle of Ilujinle, who becomes conceited after a photographer publishes beautiful pictures of her in a magazine. She rejects the idea of marrying the village schoolteacher,...

2 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

In The Lion and the Jewel, Sidi does not marry Lakunle because he won't pay the bride price and, likely, because Baroka has the higher social position.

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

Three incidents in The Lion and the Jewel depict Lakunle as a "book-nourished shrimp." First, his arrogance and refusal to pay Sidi's bride price offend her. Second, during the village dance, Baroka...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

In "The Lion and the Jewel," Sidi and Baroka represent traditional gender roles within their village. Sidi is celebrated for her beauty, which she uses to seek a traditional marriage, while Baroka,...

3 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

The setting of a traditional African village in "The Lion and the Jewel" significantly impacts character growth by highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity. Characters like Lakunle...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

In The Lion and the Jewel, education is portrayed through the character of Lakunie, who represents formal schooling and modern values in a modernizing society. He believes education is essential for...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

Lakunle initially reacts to the news of Sidi's seduction with outrage, cursing Baroka and vowing to report him to the authorities. However, his true intentions are revealed when he realizes that...

2 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

In "The Lion and the Jewel," Lakunle insults Sidi by calling her an "uncivilized and primitive—bush-girl." This occurs during a conversation where Lakunle tries to persuade Sidi to marry him without...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

In the "Night" scene, Sadiku reveals Baroka's supposed impotence to Sidi, who plans to mock him at his feast. Despite Lakunle's warnings, Sidi visits Baroka, who impresses her with plans to feature...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

The morning after Sidi's visit to Baroka's palace, Sidi is distraught and pushes away Lakunle's and Sadiku's attempts to console her. She reveals that Baroka tricked her about his impotence and took...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

Lakunle symbolizes modernity and Western ideals, often criticizing Yoruba culture while being alienated by his village for these beliefs. His advocacy for change and disdain for tradition render him...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

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...

2 educator answers

The Lion and the Jewel

In "The Lion and the Jewel," tension arises from the clash between traditional values and modernity, embodied by Lakunle's opposition to Baroka and Sadiku. Lakunle advocates for Western culture,...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

In "The Lion and the Jewel," villagers call Lakunle the "madman of Ilujinle" and a "fool" due to his outspoken criticism of traditional Yoruba culture and his support for Western ideals. Lakunle's...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

Lakunle views traditional Yoruba culture as backward and immoral, criticizing the villagers as "savages" for their adherence to customs he deems outdated. He opposes practices like the bride-price...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

Sidi initially considers marrying Lakunle if he pays the bride-price, but his refusal and Western ideals lead her to dismiss him, especially after gaining fame. She mocks Lakunle's modern ideas and...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

In "The Lion and the Jewel," Wole Soyinka presents Lakunle as a liberal school teacher who admires Western culture and criticizes traditional Yoruba customs, yet he is insincere and shallow. Sidi...

1 educator answer

The Lion and the Jewel

Lakunle is described as a "dreamer" and "insincere," reflecting his modern aspirations and duplicitous nature. Sidi is characterized as "arrogant" and "vain," highlighting her obsession with beauty...

1 educator answer