Read the extract below from Wole Soyinka's prescribed African drama, *The Lion and the Jewel*:
"To pay the price would be to buy a heifer off the market stall.
I will not have you treated like a piece of property."
In the context of the play, what does Lakunle's refusal to pay Sidi's bride-price primarily demonstrate about his character?
- His rigid adherence to modern Western ideals at the expense of traditional Yoruba customsAnswer
- BHis financial insolvency and secret attempt to cover up his inability to afford the village demands
- CHis tragic flaw of hubris that directly brings about his fatal downfall at the hands of the Bale
- DHis strategic use of dramatic irony to privately deceive Baroka into forfeiting village leadership
Answer
His rigid adherence to modern Western ideals at the expense of traditional Yoruba customs
In Wole Soyinka's *The Lion and the Jewel*, Lakunle represents the modern, Westernized African who rejects indigenous traditions. His refusal to pay Sidi's bride-price is rooted in his belief that the custom is an outdated, oppressive practice that turns women into property.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Character Motivation and Ideological Conflict in Prescribed African Drama