Telephone Conversation by Wole Soyinka

Examine how Wole Soyinka's Telephone Conversation reflect the impact of racial discrimination.

Wole Soyinka’s poem "Telephone Conversation" is a powerful piece that uses satire to highlight the ugly reality of racial discrimination. The poem captures a brief conversation between an African man and a white landlady, who is reluctant to rent him an apartment after learning about his race. Through this interaction, Soyinka exposes the absurdity and cruelty of racism in a way that is both thought-provoking and accessible.


The poem reflects the impact of racial discrimination by showing how it reduces individuals to the color of their skin. The African man in the poem is not judged by his character or qualifications but solely by his race. The landlady's sudden change in tone when she realizes he is African highlights how deeply ingrained and irrational racial biases can be. This discrimination is portrayed as dehumanizing, making the man feel like he is nothing more than a skin color.

Soyinka uses satire to criticize these racist attitudes by making the landlady's questions and concerns seem ridiculous. The landlady's obsession with the exact shade of the man's skin is presented in a way that shows how absurd and trivial such concerns are. By responding with sarcasm and humor, the African man exposes the ignorance and pettiness of the landlady's racism. This satirical approach allows Soyinka to challenge serious issues in a way that is both sharp and engaging.

The poem also reflects the psychological impact of racism on those who are discriminated against. The African man's sarcastic responses reveal his frustration and exhaustion with having to deal with such prejudice. Through his words, we see how racial discrimination forces people to constantly defend their humanity and dignity. The poem shows that racism is not just a social issue but also a deeply personal and emotional one.

In conclusion, "Telephone Conversation" uses satire to effectively reflect the impact of racial discrimination. By exposing the ridiculousness of racist attitudes, Soyinka challenges readers to recognize and reject such prejudices. The poem remains relevant today as it continues to speak to the ongoing struggles against racism and the need for greater understanding and equality.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Leisure by William Henry Davies

Image
Leisure by William Henry Davies The poem "Leisure" by William Henry Davies reflects on the fast pace of modern life and how it deprives people of the opportunity to appreciate the beauty around them. The poet encourages readers to slow down and enjoy nature, emphasizing that a life without leisure is incomplete. Through simple language, Davies highlights the need for balance between work and taking time to observe the world. In the poem, Davies questions the quality of life when people are constantly busy, stating that we have no time "to stand and stare." He describes how people fail to enjoy simple moments like watching streams, animals, or the beauty of nature. The poem laments how modern life, with its endless responsibilities, leaves little room for relaxation and reflection, suggesting that people have lost touch with the small joys of life. The theme of the poem revolves around the idea that without leisure, life becomes shallow and unfulfilled. Davies c...
Read more

In a Grove by Akutagawa Ryunosuke

Image
  How does Akutagawa use multiple viewpoints to create ambiguity and challenge the reader's understanding of the truth? In "In a Grove," Ryunosuke Akutagawa masterfully employs multiple viewpoints to create an atmosphere of ambiguity, challenging the reader’s grasp on the truth. The story is told through various testimonies, each presenting a different version of events, leaving the reader to piece together the narrative. This technique blurs the lines between truth and perception, making it difficult to determine what truly happened. The conflicting accounts from the woodcutter, the priest, the samurai's wife, and even the dead man himself, showcase how subjective truth can be. Each character recounts the incident from their perspective, influenced by their emotions, biases, and motives. The woodcutter describes the scene with a detached tone, focusing on the physical evidence. In contrast, the priest's account is filled with philosophical reflections, adding...
Read more
Image
 Anxiety Monster by Rhona McFerran The poem "Anxiety Monster" by Rhona McFerran vividly portrays the experience of living with anxiety by personifying it as a monstrous presence. McFerran explores how anxiety can take control of someone’s life, often appearing when least expected and consuming their thoughts and emotions. Through simple yet powerful language, the poet paints a picture of the overwhelming nature of anxiety and how it can impact one’s mental well-being. In the poem, the "Anxiety Monster" is depicted as a constant and unwelcome presence in the speaker’s life. The poet describes how the monster appears uninvited, making everything seem harder and more frightening than it actually is. This "monster" creates a sense of fear and helplessness, leaving the person unable to think clearly or enjoy life. McFerran captures the way anxiety distorts reality, turning small concerns into larger, more terrifying challenges, making the reader sympathize w...
Read more