SATIRE AND SOCIAL MEDIATION IN WOLE SOYINKA’S THE TRIALS OF BROTHER JERO AND THE ROAD
SATIRE AND SOCIAL MEDIATION IN WOLE SOYINKA’S THE TRIALS OF BROTHER JERO AND THE ROAD
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title
Declaration
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of content
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
- 1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Scope and limitation of the Study
1.6 Research methodology
1.7 Definition of Terms
1.8 Bio-data of the Author
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CHAPTER THREE
SATIRE AND SOCIAL MEDIATION IN WOLE SOYINKA’S THE TRIAL OF BROTHER JERO
3.1 Analysis of Satire and Social Mediation in The Trial Of Brother Jero
3.2 Theme in Soyinka’s The Trial of Brother Jero
3.3 Characterization
CHAPTER FOUR – SATIRE AND SOCIAL MEDIATION IN WOLE SOYINKA’S THE ROAD
4.1 Analysis of Satire and Social Mediation in The Road
4.2 Theme in The Road
4.3 Characterization
CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Recommendation
5.3 Conclusion
Works cited
ABSTRACT
The main aim of this research work was to examine Satire and Social Mediation in Wole Soyinka’s The Trails of Brother Jero and the Road.
In regards to these two selected novels, the study has shown that Satire is seen as a literary composition in prose and drama intending to expose, ridicule, criticize or hold up to scorn the follies abuse of a person. The study also revealed that Satire has satisfied the popular need to debunk and ridicule the leading figures in politics and in religion sphere.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODCUTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Indeed, literature is the mirror of life. It seeks to discuss, expose, and propose solutions to the daily problems of the society, be it social, political, economic, moral or otherwise. Therefore, literature reflects life and it is inseparable to the society.
Satire is a kind of literature and sometimes graphic and performing arts, where vices, follies abuses and falsities are bound to ridicule ideally with the intension of humiliating individuals and society itself, even in improvement, although satire is usually funny. Therefore, the more important purpose is often social corrective or constructive criticism using the mind as a weapon.
Satire and social mediation is now found in many form of artistic expression, including literature, plays commentary and media. The word satire comes from a Latin word satire and from the following sentence Lanxsatura.
Saturation means “complete” but the juxtaposition with Lanx moved the meaning of variety or “pastiche” meaning a combination of different kinds. The satirist uses a range of stylistic methods that can include irony, mockery and exaggeration and so on to attack madness.
Satire and social mediation is about creating and restoring the social fabric by preventing or resolving conflict through the intervention of a neutral and third party who guarantee communication between partners. Through the use of satire and social mediation, citizens assume the responsibility of resolving the conflicts.
The essence of satire is therefore to ridicule the ills of an individual or institution with the aim of correcting and transforming the society. The satire and social mediation in Wole Soyinka’s the Trials of Brother Jero and the road.
Satire helps to mould individuals’ character and it also exposes the point of weakness of any society. Thus, the concept of satire is invented from the act of mockery or ridicules, to correct the ills of the society. It is also a piece of writing that uses devices such as irony.
A text or performance that uses irony or root to expose or attack human vices, foolishness or stupidity.
To buttress this, George Ostler in Oxford dictionary, opines that satire is a composition which vice or follies is tended up to ridicule.
Satire is a powerful art form which has the ability to point out the deficiencies in certain human behaviours and social issues which result from them in such a way that they become absurd, even hilarious, which is therefore entertaining and reaches a wide audience.
Satire also has the ability to protect it creator from capability for criticism because it is implied rather than overtly stated in this way, it becomes a powerful fool dissenters in difficult or oppressive political and social periods.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
In brief, satire is a literary techniques which principally ridicules its subject which includes individuals, organization or states often as an intended means of provoking or preventing changes. Satire can be said to be both a specific literary genre, and a literary manner.
Without reservation, as a literary genre, it is said to have references to a poetic form which was originated in the 2nd Century B.C. This is to say that satire was initially often Quintilian that it required a general application to other forms of literary expression and verbal expressions.
Also, as a literary manner satire is concerned with ridiculing human and institutional follies with the intention of correcting them. Therefore, satire is employed to mock or censor the action of man or his belief.
On the other hand, social mediation is an expression of empowering the individual components of a good society, empowering them to take responsibility for maintaining social peace and preventing crime. The use of social mediation by writers is to correct and restore order in the society which is so much engulfed in a mirage of socio-political, cultural and economic problems.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to critically examine satire and social mediation in Wole Soyinka’s the Trails of Brother Jero and he Road.
The study will also examine the nature of satire and social mediation.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study will be significant in the following way: The work satire will be beneficial to students of English and literary studies by exposing the usefulness of satire and social mediation to the entire students.
The study will also serve as a spring board and reference point to other researchers who will find it necessary.
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The scope of this study will be limited to the study of satire and social mediation in Wole Soyinka’s the Trials of Brother Jero and the Road.
The scope and limitation of this study will also extend to other areas as a result the limitation will not affect the results of the findings.
1.6 Research Methodology
The researcher will use the novel the Trail of Brother Jero and the Road by Wole Soyinka as the major and primary source. Materials from the library will serve as the secondary source of information as well as internet.
1.7 Definition of Terms
1.7.1. SATIRE: In brief, a way of criticizing a person, an idea or an institution in which you use humour to show their faults or weakness.
1.7.2. SOCIAL MEDIATION: this is the process of resolving problems or conflicts.
1.8 Bio-Data of the Author
In brief, Wole Soyinka was born in 1934 at Abeokuta Western Nigeria. Education in Nigeria University in England, he graduated in English language and literature in 1958. Wole Soyinka is a versatile person and sings, acts and produce play. In addition, he is a creative artist with a fever-pitch imagination.
Soyinka was the second of the Six children, of his parents; His father Samuel Ayoyede Soyinka, he was an Anglican minister and the headmaster of St. peters School in Abeokuta.
Soyinka’s mother, Grace Eniola Soyinka she was also an Anglican. However, Soyinka attended St. Peter Primary School in Abeokuta in 1940 at Abeokuta Grammar School, he won several prizes for literary composition. Thereafter, in 1946 he was accepted by Government College in Ibadan, at the time one of Nigeria elite secondary schools. The satire and social mediation in Wole Soyinka’s the Trials of Brother Jero and the road.
In addition, in 1986, he won the Noble prize for literature and became the first African Laureate.
Some of Soyinka’s play includes;
Keffi’s Birthday Treat (1954)
The Invention (1957)
The Swamp Dwellers (1958)
A Quality of Violence (1959)
The Lion and the Jewel (1959)
The Dance of the Forest (1960)
My Father’s Burden (1960)
The Trials of Brother Jero (1964)
The Strong Bread (1964)
Before the Blackout (1964)
Kongi’s Harvest (1964)
The Road (1965)
Death and the Kings Horseman (1975)
He is currently the consultant for the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, with the Lagos state deeming him as the only person who could bring out the aims and objectives of the Festival to the people.
Ikemesit Akpan is my name. I am a Nigerian author. I work with projectboss.com.ng. I’m a researcher and a writer of academic research.
ikemesitetukapan20233@gmail.com
