Literature-In-English Paper 3 WASSCE (SC), 2022

Question 3      WOLE SOYINKA: The Lion and the Jewel

How is the contest between Tradition and Modernity presented in the play?

This is a popular question. Many candidates attempted this and were able to fulfil the requirements of the question. Some candidate merely narrated portions of the text.

A good response should discuss:

  • The theme of conflict between tradition and modernity which produces humorous and ridiculous effects.
  • Character identification of Baroka, Sadiku, Sidi and Lakunle.
  • The role of Baroka: he is portrayed as an opponent of modernity when he pays surveyors to re-route a railway track that was to pass through the village. However, His positive attitude to the siting of the postal service in the village suggests that he is not totally against modernity but wants to proceed more cautiously, and on his own terms
  • The role Lakunle: Lakunle’s ideas of ‘modern marriage’ do not convince Sidi. Lakunle as a representative of modernity is rather shallow and not convincing. Rather, he cuts a poor figure.
  • The resolution: the play suggests that an outright rejection of tradition for the sake of joining the modern world is ill-advised. Baroka’s triumph suggests that progress must be made when it truly benefits the village and its people.

Candidates’ performance was commendable.