Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Do you think Pilkings ever "gets" why Elesin and the rest of his people are so upset about being thwarted in their ritual? What about his wife?
- The play describes numerous culture clashes, but are there some examples of cultural overlap—you know, places where customs or actions amongst the British mirror those of the Yoruba (or vice versa)? If so, what are they, and why do you think they're important?
- Do you think it's fair that Iyaloja and Olunde are so mad at Elesin for failing in his duty? After all, he was interrupted…
- How does our understanding of Elesin's character change as the play goes on?
- Why do you think Soyinka dislikes readings of the play that focus on the colonial conflict? And why do readers have such a hard time staying away from that topic, if that's not—in Soyinka's view—what it's really about?