The aim of this article is two-fold. It will analyse how Ogun principles in The Interpreters have been compromised and discarded by individuals transformed by an alien culture.
The article will also describe and evaluate the ways in which the Ogun presence manifests itself in a society that is reluctant to look at the past in order to forge a path of self-discovery.
In the postmodern age, the concept of identity and purpose calls for a psychological weaning from imported cultures with their hegemonic footprints. The absorption of an alien culture is at times not selectively done by members of these African societies. In effect, they find themselves technologically propelled into an environment that transforms them from the inside and spreads like a cancer.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Unravelling The Interpreters
3. Bandele and the Ogun mythology of transition
4. Egbo and sacrifice
5. Mr Faseyi: an anchorless identity
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives & Key Themes
This article aims to analyze how the principles of the Yoruba deity Ogun are compromised or discarded within a society influenced by alien cultures, as depicted in Wole Soyinka's The Interpreters. It explores the necessity of reconciling past traditions with modern identity to overcome the psychological "abyss" created by post-colonial transformation.
- The role of Ogun mythology as a framework for spiritual identity and transition.
- The clash between traditional values and imported, hegemonic cultural footprints.
- Character analysis of the "interpreters" as embodiments of societal struggle.
- The necessity of self-sacrifice and communal engagement for societal wholeness.
- Critique of the emerging elite's preoccupation with self-aggrandizement over communal duty.
Excerpt from the Book
Bandele and the Ogun mythology of transition
Bandele is perhaps the most philosophical of the interpreters. He approaches life with an attitude that seems to lack the urgency or despair of the other interpreters. His occupation as a university lecturer contributes to his appearance as an appraiser of the world. He does not impose himself on people and being a huge figure, he surprisingly does not occupy centre stage among his group of friends. Bandele is willing to avail his resources to those in need. He is a man full of humility, which seems out of place. His relationship with strangers shows him as unique to other characters. In one particular incident he says to Sagoe,
I have a guest and you may not like him...some journalist hitch-hiking through Africa.(Soy: 135)
He is not familiar with the “American” guest, yet he is ready to accommodate him. Bandele is more of a visual interpreter of the modern society than his colleagues. He does not possess the creative genius we see in Sekoni or Kola. However, he is not disadvantaged. He remains a practical man who is ready to offer suggestions to his colleagues even when those suggestions are not welcomed. We also notice this in Sekoni after a discussion in Bandele’s house.
Egbo looked round to discover Sekoni sitting motionless by the record player.
“You know, Sheikh, sometimes you are the most non-existent person in the world.” (Soy:121)
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Establishes the mythological importance of Ogun in Yoruba tradition and argues for the necessity of the "will" in forging a coherent identity within a transitioning society.
Unravelling The Interpreters: Discusses the central struggle of the five intellectuals in the novel as they attempt to guide a post-independence society away from moral disintegration.
Bandele and the Ogun mythology of transition: Examines Bandele’s role as a moral authority and a pathfinder who maintains a connection to communal ethics amidst the corruption of the elite.
Egbo and sacrifice: Analyzes Egbo’s failure to connect with his heritage and his tendency to treat life as an episodic pursuit of self-gratification rather than a communal responsibility.
Mr Faseyi: an anchorless identity: Critiques the emerging social class represented by Mr. Faseyi, who adopts Western customs to the detriment of their own cultural identity and moral grounding.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the argument that embracing the principles of Ogun—and by extension, African spirituality—is essential for the development and stability of post-independent African society.
Keywords
Ogun, Wole Soyinka, The Interpreters, African society, identity, mythology, transition, post-colonial, culture, self-sacrifice, Yoruba, modernity, spiritual identity, communal ethics, abyss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines how the Ogun myth functions as a tool for evaluating the identity crisis and moral disintegration of intellectuals in post-independence Nigeria, as presented in Wole Soyinka's The Interpreters.
What are the primary themes explored?
The central themes include the clash between Western influence and traditional African values, the role of spiritual "will," the necessity of communal sacrifice, and the search for authentic identity.
What is the main research question or goal?
The article aims to demonstrate how the Ogun presence manifests in a society reluctant to look at its past, ultimately arguing that this connection is vital for achieving a stable identity.
Which scientific or analytical method is utilized?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing on cosmological frameworks and critical theory to interpret character behavior and thematic representations in the novel.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body investigates the characters of the "interpreters" (Bandele, Egbo, etc.) to see how they embody or fail to embody Ogun principles in their interactions with a changing, often corrupted society.
Which keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include Ogun, Wole Soyinka, identity, transition, myth, culture, and the "abyss" of post-colonial social disintegration.
How does the author characterize Bandele compared to the other interpreters?
Bandele is presented as the most philosophical and humble of the group, acting as a moral authority and "pathfinder" who actively resists the superficiality of the elite.
Why does the author view the "plasticity" of the elite as a sign of decay?
Plasticity represents an artificial mimicking of foreign (Western) cultures, which the author argues is a superficial attempt to mask a lack of internal moral courage and genuine identity.
What role does the "abyss" play in the author's argument?
The abyss represents the state of spiritual and societal void into which characters fall when they lose their connection to ancestral values and fail to exercise the "will" required for true transition.
- Quote paper
- Wazha Lopang (Author), 2016, Forging Ogun's Presence in a Plastic Society. A Look at Wole Soyinka's 'The Interpreters', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/342998
