Ideological dialectics in political engagement of Nigerian newer dramas: An analysis of Soji Cole’s Embers

Abstract

The contemporary Nigerian socio-political situation has created an imbalance where the ruling class oppresses and suppresses the masses. Similarly, the bourgeoisie stifles the proletariat by creating unequal distribution of opportunities for the creation of wealth against the proletariat. Nigerian Playwrights have engaged profoundly the foregoing socio-political situation, by using drama as a means of communication. This research undertakes a comparative study of the political engagement in Soji Cole's newer play, Embers. It examines the ideological dialectics in Cole's Embers against the dramaturgic postulations of the first and second generations of Nigeria playwrights. Using the theoretical frameworks of Conflict Perspective, the study employs the summative content analysis of the selected text to gather relevant qualitative data. The study discovers in Cole's Embers, that the newer playwrights have become less ideologically inclined in political engagement, as they portray the proletariat as being more confrontational, angrier, more emotional and far more rebellious against inept leadership. As such, they earnestly yearn for a change for better leadership and are ready to destroy the current chaotic system in a hasty desire to achieve their rebellious but patriotic desires. Against this backdrop, it is recommended that politicians should guide against tendencies capable of making them fail the people. The masses should not only clamour for responsible and responsive leaders, they should act decisively through the polls by voting for politicians who are genuinely concerned about their plight.