Trauma (re-)imag(in)ed: Experiences and memories of Wole Soyinka

Abstract

W ole Soyinka, Nigerian writer and political activist, obviously commands serious academic scholarship. Regrettably, his plays have been basically discussed within the precinct of Yoruba culture, myth and politics. This paper is an attempt to articulate the themes of Trauma and Memory, and justifiably show how Soyinka has aligned his own personal traumas with the characters of some of his dramatic narratives. This essay posits that Soyinka has used his craft to subtly highlight the experiences of the traumatised. Within this context, The Beatification of Area Boy: A Lagosian Kaleidoscope and Madmen and Specialists are critically  analysed; these plays recount the effects of war and oppressive regimes. Towards this end, the paper interrogates in general terms what trauma is, and interfaces it with how Soyinka has (re-)imag(in)ed it and submits that Soyinka whose social vision is hinged on the plinth of social justice creatively enables the traumatised, and (re-)presents their painful experiences.