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

Student Question

What type of play is The Lion and the Jewel?

Quick answer:

The Lion and the Jewel is a comedy that contains elements of Nigerian oral traditions. It is some respects a European comedy of manners, and it is also a satire that mocks social norms and changes. Characters and staging also show connections to West African folk tales and performative style.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Through his play The Lion and the Jewel, Wole Soyinka shows his mastery of modern European dramatic form along with his knowledge and appreciation of Nigerian oral literature and performance. The play is a comedy that draws heavily on the European comedy of manners, in which characters from different walks of life come into conflict around their attitudes toward propriety, including sexual behavior. In addition, the play is a satire, offering a vehicle for Soyinka to poke fun at both the prevailing social norms and the newly introduced ideas and technology that are shaking up traditional society.

The relationships among Sidi and the two men who pursue her combines the romantic and satiric aspects of the comedy. The beautiful, vain young woman seems to consider herself modern and progressive, as she dreams of fame and celebrity in the media. The author implies that Lakunle, the educated, forward-thinking teacher, would be a good match, because he himself is modern and progressive. In contrast, Baroka apparently represents the older, outdated traditions, including polygamy. The author turns the tables, however, as Lakunle is outwitted and Sidi opts for marrying the older, more traditional village leader.

Elements of the satire draw on West African traditions, such as by making Baroka a Trickster figure who comes out ahead through subterfuge and makes fun of human foibles. Various theatrical aspects, such as dancing and singing, also draw on African performative traditions.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial