Student Question
What three incidents in The Lion and The Jewel depict Lakunle as a "book-nourished shrimp"?
Quick answer:
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 intimidates Lakunle, who shows cowardice by trying to flee. Lastly, after Sidi's rape, Lakunle's refusal to pay the bride price again highlights his arrogance and insensitivity.
Lakunle in The Lion and the Jewel can certainly be labeled as a "book-nourished shrimp" because of his arrogance, disrespect, and cowardice. Let's look at some incidents in the play in which this characterization especially applies.
Lakunle wants to marry Sidi, but he is arrogant toward her. He insists upon a “modern marriage” and will not pay Sidi's bride price, which offends Sidi greatly. Lakunle disrespectfully detains her as she walks through the village, only to insult her and kiss her against her will. Lakunle, in his pride, thinks that he is better and more intelligent than she is.
At the village dance, Lakunle clearly shows himself to be inferior to Baroka, who intimidates him and forces him to stay and perform when he tries to leave. The villagers end up chasing Lakunle. He shows his cowardice here as well as how easily intimidated he is.
At the end of the play, Sidi has been raped by Baroka. Lakunle says he will still marry her, but he will not even think about paying the bride price now. Sidi, however, has made a different choice and will never marry Lakunle.
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