Discuss how Soyinka uses the contrasting characters of Lakunle and Baroka to comment on the blind embrace of the young African men to their dteriment?

Answer 1

This is clearly a question for an assignment, so my first advice would be for you to just read and try to understand the play. You haven't mentioned the title of the play, but I assume it's the Lion and the Jewel.

The first thing to do is to understand the question, and in order to do this you need to clearly define in your head what it means. I will only give you a starting point below, the rest of the work you will have to do yourself! And you're very lucky to study such a wonderful play, so try and enjoy it.

why are Lakunle and Baroka contrasting characters?

* The first thing we notice on reading the play is that Lakunle is an African man who has been westernised -- e.g. he is against bride-price and he wants to introduce progress in his village. * As for Baroka, he is the Bale (or Chief) of Ilujinle. He is a traditional African man, with several wives, he is a good wrestler (which is attractive to Sidi who both men want to marry).

Answer 2

Soyinka juxtaposes the characters of Lakunle and Baroka in "The Lion and the Jewel" to highlight the dichotomy between traditional and modern African masculinity. Lakunle represents youthful idealism and Western-influenced values, which he blindly follows to the detriment of his community. Baroka, on the other hand, embodies the cunning and traditional wisdom that ultimately triumphs over Lakunle's naive and self-destructive beliefs. Through their interactions, Soyinka critiques the blind adoption of Western ideals without a nuanced understanding of their impact on African society.