In The Lion and the Jewel, Wole Soyinka characterizes Sidi—the “jewel”—as smart, resourceful, ambitious, and practical as well as beautiful. As the suitors vie for her affections, the younger man, Lakunie, shows that he is primarily interested in her beauty. He routinely underestimates her intelligence and denigrates her ideas and values; this is particularly shown in his refusal to pay the bride prices.
Baroka—the “lion”—is not completely straightforward in the way he goes about courting her, and in fact he and his senior wife, Sadiku, deceive Sidi in order to persuade her. Nevertheless, Baroka is clearly the most powerful man in town, and Sidi has learned that she can get along with Sadiku. Of the options available to her, Sidi has considered their pros and cons and made the best decision.
Friday, November 30, 2012
How would you interpret Sidi's decision to marry Baroka in The Lion and the Jewel?
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