paper 14 the African literature

1. 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 :- ashadodiya15@gmail.com
Submitted to :-
Smt.S.B. Gardi
Department of English
M.K.Bhav.University

2. 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.
Soyinka has published hundreds of
works, including drama, novels,
essays and poetry, and colleges all
over the world seek him out as a
visiting professor.

3. 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 .

4. The Swamp Dweller characters
Alu Makuri
igweru Awuchike
Son
The Bagger
Desala Kadiya
Play a very small role

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 self‐importance. 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 Igwezu’s money. As a priest he is not bothered about
Igwezu’s lot. He exploits the villagers knowing full well they are in straits.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.
Igwezu’s 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.