Character Study of The Swamp Dweller
Name:- Dodiya Asha B. Roll No :- 10 M.A. Sem :- 04 Year :-
2015-2017 Paper :- 14 The African Literature
Email id :- [email protected]
Submitted to :-
Smt.S.B. GardiDepartment of EnglishM.K.Bhav.University
Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, author, teacher and
political activist who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in
1986.He dedicated his Nobel acceptance speech to Nelson
Mandela.Soyinkahas published hundreds of works,including drama,
novels, essays and poetry, and colleges all over the world seek him
out as a visiting professor.
About The Novel
The swamp dwellers examinies the suffening and hardship of the
pepole living in nigeria .
This story facusing on society operating through modification
between the city and country.
It is also presented picture of old and new ways of life in
African .
The Swamp Dweller characters
Alu Makuri
igweruAwuchike
Son
The BaggerDesala
KadiyaPlay a very small role
Alu
Alu is the wife of Makuri. She is the mother of Igwezu and
Awuchike. She is aged about sixty.
She believes in the custom of the swamps. She thinks that the
river bed is the ideal bridal bed.
She is hospitable like Makuri. Her reaction to the words of
Kadiye shows her to be a traditionalist.
Desala
Desala does not appear in the play as a character. But, she is
spoken off. Desala is the embodiment of the corrupt nature of the
city life.Thecharacter also echoes the materialistic attitude of
city dwellers. Desala marries Igwezu. Igwezu later becomes poor
owing to bad returns from his business. Desala found Awuchike
prospering in his business. So, Desala leaves Igwezu and marries
Awuchike. It shows how city life has become morally void.
Makuri
Makuri is the father of Igwezu and Awuchike. He is the husband
of Alu. As a husband he is conceited. He is fond of teasing his
wife. His continuous bickering with his wife is only a show. He has
perfect mutual understanding with his wife. He is a good host.
He gives himself totally to the serpent cult. Though he is
seemingly angry he has consideration for his fussy wife Alu. He
represents the note of tradition in the play. His affection for his
wife is unsentimental. He is more intelligent than his wife.
Kadiye
In physical appearance Kadiye is a contrast to the beggar. He is
bulky. His fingers are heavily ringed. He is prosperous in the
midst of poverty.
He is a man of selfimportance. As the priest of the serpent he
fleeces the swamp dwellers. He betrays the trust of the villagers.
He encourages the serpent cult.
He has set his eye on Igwezus money. As a priest he is not
bothered about Igwezus lot. He exploits the villagers knowing full
well they are in straits.
The Beggar
The Beggar comes from Bukanji in North Nigeria. He is tall and
straight. . He is a devout Muslim. He is a man of independence. He
is resolute in supporting himself. Though he is blind he is a very
good judge of other characters in the play.
Soyinka has drawn him as a contrast to Kadiye. Though he has
seen adversity it has not shaken his spirits.
Awuchike
Awuchike is the twin brother of Igwezu. He does not appear as a
character in the play. It is through telling Soyinka portrays the
character of Awuchike.
Ten years ago he left the swamp. The glamour of city life has
changed his character. He has become a total city dweller.
He is in timber business. Money making carries him off his feet.
He has snapped ties with the kinsmen in the swamp. He is not a man
of fair dealing.
Doing business in city has made him ruthless and heartless. He
goes to the extent of taking Desala from his brother Igwezu. He is
a betrayer.
Igwezu`
Igwezu is the son of Alu and Makuri. He is twin with Awuchike.
He is the centre of the play. The Swamp Dwellers is a drama of
revelation and Igwezu gets education through experience both in the
city and in the swamp.
Igwezus discovery of the deficiencies of the village life and
the city life constitutes the primary thematic content of the play.
Igwezu plays a pivotal role in the play as a truth teller.
