Q.

Write a note on Relevance of "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka in the era of

racial discrimination in South Africa in 2000 words.
"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is a powerful poem that speaks to the ongoing
issue of racial discrimination, and its continued relevance in South Africa in the 21st century.
The poem explores the theme of racism through the conversation between a black man and a
white landlady, and highlights the absurdity and cruelty of discrimination, while also
exposing the structural inequalities and power imbalances that contribute to it. In this essay, I
will discuss the relevance of "Telephone Conversation" in the era of racial discrimination in
South Africa, both during the apartheid era and in the present day. Firstly, it is important to
understand the historical context of apartheid in South Africa, and the legacy of racial
discrimination and inequality that persists in the country today. Apartheid was a system of
segregation and discrimination based on race that was enforced by law from 1948 to 1994.
During this time, black South Africans were denied basic human rights such as the right to
vote, the right to own property, and the right to live in certain areas. They were forced to live
in designated "homelands" or townships, often in overcrowded and under-resourced
conditions. White South Africans, on the other hand, enjoyed privileges and opportunities
denied to black South Africans, including better access to education, healthcare, and
employment.
Although apartheid officially ended in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as the first
black president of South Africa, the legacy of racial discrimination and inequality persists in
the country today. Many black South Africans continue to face discrimination and
marginalization in areas such as housing, employment, and education. The ongoing economic
and political marginalization of black South Africans is reflected in the high rates of poverty
and unemployment among this group, compared to their white counterparts.
Against this backdrop, "Telephone Conversation" remains relevant in South Africa, as it
speaks to the arbitrary nature of racism and the ways in which discriminatory attitudes and
language can be used to marginalize and dehumanize people based on their race. The poem's
use of satire and irony highlights the absurdity of racism, while the man's sarcastic responses
to the landlady's questions show the resilience and agency of those who face discrimination.
Moreover, the poem speaks to the power dynamic between the black man and the white
landlady, highlighting the ways in which structural inequalities and power imbalances
contribute to discrimination and oppression. In the context of South Africa, this power
dynamic can be seen in the ongoing economic and political marginalization of black South
Africans, who continue to face higher rates of poverty and unemployment compared to their
white counterparts. The poem thus underscores the need for ongoing efforts to address and
dismantle these systems of oppression.
In addition to its relevance to the ongoing issue of racial discrimination in South Africa,
"Telephone Conversation" also speaks to broader themes of racism and discrimination that
are relevant around the world. The poem highlights the ways in which discrimination can be
perpetuated through language and attitudes, and the importance of challenging these forms of
oppression through critical reflection and dialogue. The poem's exploration of power
dynamics and structural inequalities also has relevance beyond South Africa, as these issues
are prevalent in many societies around the world. In conclusion, "Telephone Conversation"
by Wole Soyinka remains a powerful and relevant poem in the era of racial discrimination in
South Africa. The poem's exploration of the arbitrary nature of racism, the power dynamics
that contribute to discrimination, and the resilience of those who face oppression speaks to
the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in South Africa and around the world. As we
continue to confront and challenge systems of oppression, "Telephone Conversation" serves
as a reminder of the importance of critical reflection, dialogue, and solidarity in the fight for a
more just and equitable world.

Q. Summary Of "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka in 2000 words.

"Telephone Conversation" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem by Wole Soyinka that
examines the theme of racism and prejudice. The poem is set in the context of apartheid-era
South Africa, where discrimination against black people was institutionalized and
widespread. The poem is about a black man who is looking for accommodation and calls a
potential landlady, who happens to be white. The conversation quickly turns to the issue of
race, and the poem explores the absurdity and cruelty of discrimination.
The poem begins with the black man describing his situation, stating that he is in need of
accommodation. He then proceeds to tell the landlady that he is African, and she asks him if
he is "light or dark." The man is taken aback by the question and wonders what the relevance
of his skin color is to the matter of finding a place to stay. The landlady's insistence on
finding out the man's skin color reveals the underlying racial prejudice and discrimination
that is prevalent in South African society.
The conversation then turns to the issue of money, and the landlady asks the man how much
he can afford to pay for rent. The man responds by saying that he can afford the asking price,
but the landlady is still hesitant to rent the room to him. She asks him if he is "clean" and if
he uses a "cooker or coal" for cooking, implying that she is concerned about hygiene and
cleanliness. The man responds with sarcastic and witty remarks, which show his frustration
and anger at the landlady's discriminatory attitude. The poem highlights the absurdity and
cruelty of discrimination, as the man is subjected to questioning and scrutiny simply because
of his race. The landlady's questioning reveals her prejudice and the arbitrary nature of
racism. The man's responses to her questions also reveal the resilience and agency of those
who face discrimination, as he refuses to be intimidated or silenced by the landlady's
discriminatory attitude.
The poem also explores the power dynamics that contribute to discrimination and oppression.
The landlady, as a white person, has power and privilege that the black man does not have.
This power dynamic is evident in the way that the landlady questions and scrutinizes the man,
and in the way that she hesitates to rent the room to him. The man's sarcastic responses to the
landlady's questions show his defiance and resistance to the power dynamics at play.
In conclusion, "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is a powerful and thought-
provoking poem that examines the theme of racism and prejudice. The poem is set in the
context of apartheid-era South Africa, where discrimination against black people was
institutionalized and widespread. The poem highlights the absurdity and cruelty of
discrimination, as well as the power dynamics that contribute to oppression. The man's
sarcastic responses to the landlady's questions show his defiance and resistance to the
discriminatory attitudes and structures that are prevalent in South African society. The poem
remains relevant today, as discrimination and prejudice continue to be issues that we must
confront and challenge.