Critical Analysis of “The Swamp Dwellers”

Introduction

The purpose of this critical analysis is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant facts and information related to the analysis of “The Swamp Dwellers”. The Swamp Dwellers was produced in London, and also in Nigeria. Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka is internationally celebrated as a playwright, poet, novelist, and literary critic of exceptional talent. His prolific and innovative work engages in social critique on many levels, and is often concerned with bringing to light the corruption and contradiction found throughout Nigerian society, including both traditional and Western worldviews. Soyinka's versatile writing draws resonance from the Western literary tradition as well as from his thoughtful and thorough engagement with Yoruba mythology and symbolism. He has suffered political persecution for his criticisms of what he has felt to be morally objectionable Nigerian government policies, and for the active roles he has taken in protesting and resisting them. In addition, he has garnered international recognition as a trenchant essayist and critic (Wole, p. 111).

Summary of the Work

The Swamp Dwellers examines the suffering and hardships of the people living in Nigeria-Delta. The suffering of Nigerian people has been guided by the federal thoughtlessness and domination. The purpose of writing this story is to keep focus on the society operating through modification between the city and the country. Although there are many characters in the story, the main theme revolves around the story of a woman named Alu. Through the character of Alu, the author has presented the concept of aspiration and determination, especially focusing on women. The story also contrasts the differences between the traditions and modernity of living in southern Nigeria

Evaluation

Wole Soyinka has focused on the struggle and suffering between the two living generations in Africa. The analysis of “The Swamp Dwellers” helped to figure ...