27 pages • 54 minutes read
The Lion and the Jewel
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
65
Play • Fiction
Nigeria • 1960s
1962
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka is a three-act play set in the Nigerian village of Ilujinle. It follows the interactions between Sidi, the beautiful village girl; Lakunle, the modernizing schoolmaster; and Baroka, the cunning village chief. As Lakunle and Baroka compete for Sidi's hand in marriage, the play humorously explores themes of tradition versus modernity, gender roles, and generational conflict. Sensitive topics include a scene of non-consensual sex.
Humorous
Romantic
Playful
Reviews & Readership
1,904 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Wole Soyinka's The Lion and the Jewel expertly blends satire and cultural critique, depicting the clash between tradition and modernity in a Nigerian village. Reviews praise Soyinka's sharp wit and rich character development but note that some cultural references may be challenging for unfamiliar audiences. Overall, the play is lauded for its engaging narrative and thematic depth.
Who Should Read The Lion and the Jewel?
Readers who enjoy Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel are typically interested in African literature, rich cultural narratives, and themes of tradition versus modernity. Fans of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart or Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s The River Between would appreciate this satirical play for its vibrant portrayal of Yoruba traditions and societal conflicts.
1,904 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lakunle
Lakunle
The village schoolmaster who is twenty-three years old and seeks to modernize the village with Western ideas, often clashing with traditional customs.
Bale Baroka
Bale Baroka
The sixty-two-year-old chieftain of the village, often referred to as "the lion," who is intent on preserving traditional ways and resists modernization.
Sadiku
Sadiku
Baroka's eldest wife who acts as a messenger between him and others, advocating for his interests and conveying his proposals.
The Villagers
The Villagers
A group that serves as a collective character, representing the community's engagement in cultural traditions through song and dance.
65
Play • Fiction
Nigeria • 1960s
1962
Adult
14-18 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.