Que-1: The poem is an indictment of racial
This interaction represents the
and colour prejudice and discrimination in
some societies. Discuss with close reference to
the poem.
Ans. The poem offers a powerful critique of
the deeply entrenched racial and colour
prejudices present in some societies. In this
work, Soyinka depicts a seemingly simple
interaction over a phone call regarding a house
rental inquiry, which quickly turns into a
discussion rife with racism.
The speaker, a West African man, initially
receives favourable information about a house
available for rent, including a reasonable price
and a desirable location. However, the
interaction takes a dark turn when he reveals
his black skin identity. This revelation is met
with sudden silence from the landlady,
followed by probing questions about the exact
shade of his skin.
The landlady’s reaction exposes the
malignancy and offensiveness of racial
prejudices. The man's clever responses, such
as comparing his skin color to “West African
sepia” and humorously commenting on the
color of his palms and soles, underscore the
absurdity of judging someone based on their
skin color. Through this conversation, Soyinka
illustrates the pernicious impact of racist
attitudes.
Que-2: How does the poet make use of the
story in this poem and express the anger of the
Blacks?
Ans. Wole Soyinka employs irony and satire
to convey the anger of Black individuals
towards racial prejudice. The African man
cleverly and smartly responds to the landlady's
inquiries, using humour as a defence
mechanism against her rudeness. His witty yet
accurate remarks highlight the absurdity of her
racist questions.
What begins as a seemingly mundane phone
call transforms into a powerful expression of
the frustration and indignation felt by the
African man.
broader experiences of Black people
confronting racial prejudice, illustrating their
resilience and the ongoing struggle against
discrimination.
Que-3: The poem is an indictment of racial
and colour prejudice and discrimination in
some societies. Discuss with close reference to
the poem.
Ans. Using a simple telephone conversation as
a medium, Soyinka addresses the broader
social issue of racial discrimination. He
highlights the irrationality of judging someone
based on their race (skin colour) by depicting
a landlady who insensitively and curiously
probes the speaker about his skin tone.
The speaker’s responses, which range from
disbelief to mockery, showcase the personal
impact of such prejudices. Through this poem,
Soyinka condemns the absurdity of racial
discrimination and encourages readers to
reflect on the arbitrary and harmful nature of
judging someone by their skin colour.
Que-4: How and when does the language and
tone of the speaker change in the poem? What
does it suggest?
Ans. When the landlady inquires about his
skin colour over the telephone, the speaker's
language and tone magically change. What
begins as a clear and hopeful discussion about
renting a house shift to one of humour and
tension.
He employs biting humour to express his
frustration with the landlady’s unusual and
offensive condition, mocking her thinking and
principles. This change in tone reflects the
speaker’s emotional transition from a
willingness to engage to a defensive posture.
It also illustrates his awareness of and anger
towards the pervasive evil of racism
worldwide.