Telephone Conversation by Whole Soyinka: The Poem and Complete Analysis

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INTRODUCTION

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is a thought-provoking poem that explores themes of racism and prejudice. It depicts a conversation between a black man seeking accommodation and a landlady who holds biased views. The poem unfolds as a dialogue, revealing the nuances of racial tension and the impact of preconceived notions on interpersonal communication. Soyinka skillfully uses language and irony to shed light on societal prejudices and their influence on human interactions.

THE POEM

 The price seemed reasonable, location

Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived

Off premises. Nothing remained

But self-confession. "Madam" , I warned,

"I hate a wasted journey - I am African."

Silence. Silenced transmission of pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came,

Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled

Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was, foully.

"HOW DARK?"...I had not misheard...."ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?" Button B. Button A. Stench

Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak.

Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered

Omnibus squelching tar.

It was real! Shamed

By ill-mannered silence, surrender

Pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification.

Considerate she was, varying the emphasis-

"ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT" Revelation came

"You mean- like plain or milk chocolate?"

Her accent was clinical, crushing in its light

Impersonality. Rapidly, wave-length adjusted

I chose. "West African sepia"_ and as afterthought.

"Down in my passport." Silence for spectroscopic

Flight of fancy, till truthfulness chaged her accent

Hard on the mouthpiece "WHAT'S THAT?" conceding "DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS." "Like brunette."

"THAT'S DARK, ISN'T IT?"

"Not altogether.

Facially, I am brunette, but madam you should see the rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet.

Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, caused-

Foolishly madam- by sitting down, has turned

My bottom raven black- One moment madam! - sensing

Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap

About my ears- "Madam," I pleaded, "wouldn't you rather

See for yourself?"

THEMES

The poem "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka delves into several themes, prominently addressing racism, prejudice, and the impact of societal expectations on personal identity. The poet narrates a telephone conversation between a man of African descent and a landlady who holds racial biases. 

1. **Racism and Prejudice:** The poem vividly exposes racial discrimination as the landlady's inquiries about the man's skin color reveal deep-seated prejudices. The emphasis on darkness and lightness reflects societal stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes prevalent at the time.

2. **Identity and Self-Confession:** The protagonist is compelled to confess his African identity, setting the stage for a confrontation with racial biases. The poem explores how individuals grapple with self-expression in the face of societal expectations and stereotypes.

3. **Communication Breakdown:** The use of a telephone as a medium highlights the breakdown in communication caused by racial prejudices. Despite the technology facilitating conversation, the dialogue is marred by silence and miscommunication, underscoring the challenges of overcoming ingrained biases.

4. **Irony and Satire:** Soyinka employs irony and satire to criticize racial stereotypes. The landlady's reduction of the man's identity to the simplistic categories of light or dark exposes the absurdity of such racial classification.

5. **Humor and Absurdity:** The poem employs humor to shed light on the absurdity of racial judgments. The protagonist's description of his skin color as "West African sepia" and the humorous revelation about the color of his bottom add a satirical dimension to the poem.

Through its exploration of these themes, "Telephone Conversation" provides a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of racial prejudices and the challenges individuals face in asserting their identity in a prejudiced society.

Tone of the poem

The tone of "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is a mix of irony, satire, and a touch of indignation. The poet uses a satirical tone to expose and criticize racial prejudices. The absurdity of the landlady's questions and the protagonist's responses, laced with humor, contribute to a tone that is both critical and somewhat amused at the ridiculousness of racial stereotypes. However, there is also an undercurrent of indignation as the speaker navigates through the discriminatory conversation, highlighting the frustration and challenges of confronting racial bias. Overall, the tone is sharp, reflective, and carries a subtle but impactful critique of societal norms and prejudices.

MOOD

The mood of "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is characterized by a blend of irony, tension, and subtle defiance. 

1. **Irony:** The poet employs irony to underscore the absurdity of racial stereotypes and the miscommunications arising from them. The use of humor and irony contributes to a mood that is both critical and somewhat satirical.

2. **Tension:** The racial tension between the speaker and the landlady is palpable throughout the poem. The silence in response to the speaker's revelation of being African, as well as the probing questions about skin color, creates a tense atmosphere.

3. **Defiance:** The speaker subtly asserts his identity and challenges the landlady's preconceived notions. The mood shifts towards defiance as the speaker refuses to conform to simplistic racial classifications, offering a more complex and individualistic understanding of identity.

In summary, the mood of the poem oscillates between irony, tension, and a restrained sense of defiance, contributing to its powerful exploration of racial prejudices and their impact on human interactions.

IMAGERIES

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka employs vivid and evocative imagery to convey the themes of racial prejudice and societal expectations. Here are some key imageries from the poem:

1. **Color Imagery:** The poem extensively uses color imagery to highlight racial stereotypes. Phrases like "HOW DARK?" and "ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?" emphasize the significance placed on skin color. The mention of "milk chocolate" and "plain chocolate" further reinforces these visual associations.

2. **Silence and Transmission:** The idea of "Silenced transmission" creates an image of communication breakdown due to racial prejudices. The silence in response to the speaker's confession emphasizes the impact of societal biases on interpersonal communication.

3. **Visual Descriptions:** The poet provides visual descriptions that appeal to the reader's senses. Images like the "Red booth," "Red pillar-box," and "Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar" contribute to the overall atmosphere, setting, and tone of the poem.

4. **Lipstick Coated, Long Gold-Rolled Cigarette-Holder:** The detailed description of the landlady's appearance adds a visual element to the poem. These details create a distinct image of the landlady, contributing to the reader's perception of her character.

5. **Raven Black Bottom:** The unexpected revelation about the color of the speaker's bottom adds a humorous yet vivid image. This serves both to lighten the tone and challenge the preconceived notions about the speaker based on his race.

6. **Thunderclap Imagery:** The phrase "Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap About my ears" uses thunderclap imagery to convey the intensity of the moment, suggesting a sudden and dramatic shift in the conversation.

These imageries collectively enhance the reader's understanding of the poem, making it a rich and evocative exploration of racial tensions and miscommunications.

Symbolisms

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka incorporates various symbols that contribute to the depth and layers of meaning in the poem. Here are some key symbolic elements:

1. **Telephone:** The telephone serves as a symbolic medium of communication. While it is a tool that should facilitate dialogue, in this poem, it becomes a conduit for the transmission of racial prejudice and stereotypes. It symbolizes the challenges and limitations of communication in the face of deeply ingrained biases.

2. **Color:** The emphasis on skin color symbolizes the societal preoccupation with racial distinctions. The categorization into "light" or "very dark" reflects the oversimplification and reduction of individuals to superficial characteristics. The use of color as a symbol highlights the broader issue of racial discrimination.

3. **Red:** The recurring mention of the color red, associated with the booth, pillar-box, and omnibus, may symbolize danger or alertness. It could represent the intensity and heated nature of the conversation, reflecting the societal tensions surrounding racial issues.

4. **Gold-Rolled Cigarette-Holder:** The landlady's gold-rolled cigarette-holder may symbolize affluence and a certain social status. This detail adds to the characterization of the landlady and highlights the stark contrast between her outward sophistication and inner prejudices.

5. **Silence:** The silences in the conversation symbolize the unspoken but deeply felt tension and discomfort resulting from racial bias. The silence becomes a powerful symbol of the barriers and gaps in understanding created by societal prejudices.

6. **Thunderclap:** The mention of a "thunderclap" symbolizes the sudden and intense impact of the speaker's revelation about his identity. It suggests a moment of realization or shock, emphasizing the gravity of the racial issues being addressed.

These symbols collectively contribute to the poem's layered exploration of racism, miscommunication, and societal expectations, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

METAPHORS AND SIMILES

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka employs metaphors and similes to convey its themes and add depth to the narrative. Here are some instances:

1. **Metaphor - "Silenced transmission of pressurized good-breeding":** This metaphor suggests the stifling of genuine communication due to societal expectations and racial prejudices. It conveys the idea that social niceties are being used to suppress authentic dialogue.

2. **Simile - "Voice, when it came, / Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled / Cigarette-holder pipped":** This simile compares the quality of the landlady's voice to a cigarette holder, creating an image of a carefully crafted, artificial, and perhaps condescending manner of speaking.

3. **Metaphor - "Button B. Button A. Stench / Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak":** The metaphorical use of "Button B. Button A." suggests the mechanical, automated nature of the racial inquiry. The phrase "stench / Of rancid breath" metaphorically conveys the unpleasantness and insensitivity of the questioning.

4. **Simile - "Her accent was clinical, crushing in its light / Impersonality":** This simile compares the landlady's accent to something clinical, emphasizing its detached and cold nature. It adds to the characterization of the landlady as someone who approaches the conversation with a certain clinical indifference.

5. **Metaphor - "Shamed / By ill-mannered silence, surrender / Pushed dumbfoundment to beg simplification":** The metaphor of surrender being pushed to beg simplification conveys the speaker's feeling of being forced to simplify and conform to racial expectations, highlighting the impact of societal pressure on personal expression.

6. **Simile - "Like brunette":** The comparison of the speaker's complexion to that of a brunette using the word "like" serves as a simile, offering a familiar reference point for the landlady to understand the speaker's skin tone.

These figurative language elements enhance the poem's imagery and contribute to the overall effectiveness of Soyinka's exploration of racial prejudices and miscommunication.

LANGUAGE AND DICTION

The language and diction in "Telephone Conversation" play a crucial role in conveying the themes and tone of the poem. Here are some notable aspects:

1. **Formal and Clinical Language:** The landlady's language is depicted as formal and clinical, reflecting societal expectations and racial stereotypes. Her questions about the speaker's skin color are asked in a detached, almost mechanical manner, emphasizing the impersonal nature of racial categorization.

2. **Irony and Satire:** Soyinka uses irony and satire in the choice of words to criticize racial prejudices. The speaker's responses often carry a layer of sarcasm, exposing the absurdity of the landlady's inquiries. For example, the speaker's description of being "West African sepia" adds a satirical touch.

3. **Contrast in Descriptions:** The poet uses contrasting language to describe the speaker's appearance. The landlady's initial inquiries focus on a binary of light or dark, while the speaker introduces complexity through phrases like "West African sepia" and the humorous description of his bottom turning "raven black."

4. **Shifts in Tone:** The tone of the poem shifts from formal and restrained to more assertive and humorous as the speaker navigates the conversation. The choice of words reflects the speaker's evolving attitude, emphasizing the impact of the landlady's questions on his self-expression.

5. **Imaginative Language:** The poet employs imaginative language to describe the speaker's skin color and challenges stereotypes. Phrases like "Down in my passport" and "Palm of my hand, soles of my feet. / Are a peroxide blonde" use creative language to disrupt conventional expectations.

6. **Sensory Details:** The poem includes sensory details, such as the mention of the "Stench / Of rancid breath," to evoke a more vivid and immediate experience for the reader. These details contribute to the overall atmosphere and impact of the poem.

Overall, the language and diction in "Telephone Conversation" serve to underscore the societal tensions surrounding race, portray the characters' personalities, and engage the reader in a critical examination of racial prejudices.

STRUCTURE

The structure of "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is integral to the delivery of the poem's themes and contributes to its overall impact. Here are key aspects of the structure:

1. **Form as Dialogue:** The poem is presented in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and the landlady. This structure enhances the immediacy of the interaction, allowing readers to witness the unfolding conversation directly. The use of dialogue also emphasizes the contrast in perspectives and highlights the impact of societal prejudices on communication.

2. **Free Verse:** "Telephone Conversation" is written in free verse, lacking a regular rhyme or meter. This choice of structure gives the poet flexibility in expressing the nuances of the conversation and adds to the natural flow of spoken language. It contributes to the informal and conversational tone of the poem.

3. **Enjambment:** The poem frequently uses enjambment, where lines do not end with punctuation and instead continue onto the next line. This creates a sense of fluidity, reflecting the continuous and connected nature of the conversation. It also contributes to the conversational rhythm of the poem.

4. **Shifts in Tone:** The structure allows for shifts in tone throughout the poem. The initial formality of the conversation gives way to moments of humor, sarcasm, and even defiance. These shifts in tone are facilitated by the flexibility of the free verse structure.

5. **Use of Quotation Marks:** The use of quotation marks for the dialogue helps distinguish the voices of the speaker and the landlady, contributing to clarity in the narrative. It also reinforces the conversational aspect of the poem.

6. **Stanzas:** The poem is divided into stanzas, with varying line lengths. This division into stanzas helps organize the flow of the conversation and creates pauses for emphasis. The stanzas also contribute to the visual and structural aspects of the poem.

Overall, the structure of "Telephone Conversation" serves to effectively convey the complexities of the racial dialogue, allowing readers to engage with the unfolding interaction between the speaker and the landlady.

SOUND AND RHYTHM

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka exhibits a distinctive use of sound and rhythm, contributing to the overall impact of the poem:

1. **Conversational Rhythm:** The poem has a natural, conversational rhythm. The free verse structure allows for flexibility in line lengths, mirroring the ebb and flow of a real conversation. This rhythm enhances the authenticity of the dialogue and makes the poem more engaging for the reader.

2. **Enjambment:** The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a seamless and continuous rhythm. This mirrors the uninterrupted flow of the telephone conversation, contributing to the poem's fluidity.

3. **Pacing:** The poem's pacing varies to emphasize certain moments or lines. Swift shifts in rhythm occur, particularly when the speaker introduces humor or sarcasm. These variations in pacing contribute to the dynamic nature of the poem.

4. **Repetition:** The repetition of certain sounds and phrases, such as the repeated "Button B. Button A.," adds a rhythmic quality and reinforces the mechanical and systematic nature of the racial inquiry. Repetition can also create emphasis, underscoring the significance of certain moments in the conversation.

5. **Onomatopoeia:** While not extensive, the poem incorporates onomatopoeic elements, such as "squelching," which adds a sensory dimension to the auditory experience of the poem. These words contribute to the overall sound imagery.

6. **Alliteration and Assonance:** The poet uses some instances of alliteration and assonance to create sonic effects. For example, in "Silenced transmission of pressurized good-breeding," the repeated "s" sounds create a soft, flowing quality that contrasts with the tension in the conversation.

The combined use of these sound and rhythm elements helps to convey the tension, irony, and humor present in the telephone conversation. They contribute to the auditory experience, allowing readers to engage with the poem not only through its meaning but also through its sonic qualities.

SYNTAX

The syntax in "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka plays a crucial role in shaping the tone, conveying the speaker's emotions, and highlighting the societal tensions presented in the poem. Here are some key aspects of syntax in the poem:

1. **Fragmented Sentences:** The poem features fragmented sentences, often separated by ellipses or dashes. This creates a staccato effect, emphasizing the disjointed and hesitant nature of the conversation. The fragmentation reflects the speaker's emotional and mental pauses as he navigates the uncomfortable dialogue.

2. **Direct Speech:** The predominant use of direct speech in the form of a dialogue enhances the immediacy of the interaction. It brings readers directly into the exchange between the speaker and the landlady, allowing them to witness the unfolding conversation.

3. **Interjections:** The poem includes interjections, such as "Silence" and "Shamed," which interrupt the flow of the narrative. These interjections serve to emphasize moments of silence or emotional impact, highlighting the speaker's inner turmoil and the awkward pauses in the conversation.

4. **Parallel Structure:** The poem employs parallel structure in certain phrases, like "Button B. Button A." This repetition creates a mechanical and systematic quality, reflecting the rigidity and insensitivity of the landlady's racial inquiries.

5. **Inversion:** There are instances of inversion in the poem, where the typical word order is reversed for emphasis. For example, "Shamed / By ill-mannered silence" uses inversion to emphasize the shame brought about by the awkward silence in the conversation.

6. **Use of Colorful Descriptions:** The poet uses descriptive language with vivid imagery, such as "Red booth," "Red pillar-box," and "Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar." This syntax creates a visual and sensory impact, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the poem.

The syntax in "Telephone Conversation" works in tandem with other literary devices to convey the complexities of racial tension, societal expectations, and the challenges of communication. The deliberate choices in sentence structure contribute to the poem's effectiveness in exploring these themes.

CONTEXT

"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka was written during a period of heightened racial tensions and the struggle against racial discrimination. Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist, wrote the poem in the 1960s, a time when issues of race and identity were prominent on the global stage.

Key contextual points:

1. **Civil Rights Movement:** The 1960s was a significant era for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, advocating for the rights and equality of African Americans. The poem reflects the broader global conversation about racial discrimination and the impact of colonization.

2. **Post-Colonial Period:** The poem emerges in the post-colonial context as many African nations gained independence from colonial rule. This context informs Soyinka's exploration of identity, racism, and the lingering effects of colonialism.

3. **Apartheid in South Africa:** The 1960s witnessed the intensification of apartheid policies in South Africa. Soyinka's poem, while not explicitly about South Africa, resonates with the broader struggles against racial segregation and discrimination.

4. **Personal Experience:** Soyinka's own experiences with racism and prejudice likely influenced the creation of "Telephone Conversation." As a Nigerian navigating a world marked by racial biases, his work often addresses the complexities of identity in a post-colonial and racially charged environment.

5. **Literary Style of Soyinka:** Wole Soyinka is known for his rich literary contributions, addressing social and political issues through a variety of genres. "Telephone Conversation" aligns with his broader body of work that engages with societal challenges, often employing satire and irony to convey his messages.

Understanding the historical and social context is crucial for interpreting the poem's themes and appreciating Soyinka's commentary on racial prejudices. "Telephone Conversation" serves as both a specific critique of a particular incident and a broader exploration of the universal challenges faced by individuals navigating identity in a world marked by racial biases.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka stands as a poignant exploration of racial prejudices, societal expectations, and the challenges of communication in a post-colonial world. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, a period marked by the Civil Rights Movement and the fight against apartheid, the poem reflects the broader global dialogue on race and identity.

Through its unique structure, effective use of figurative language, and careful consideration of sound and rhythm, the poem delivers a powerful commentary on the impact of racial biases on interpersonal communication. The poet's personal experiences, coupled with the broader context of post-colonial Africa, contribute to the depth and resonance of the work.

"Telephone Conversation" invites readers to critically examine the absurdity of racial stereotypes, the stifling effects of societal expectations, and the resilience required to assert one's identity in the face of discrimination. Wole Soyinka's skillful handling of language, combined with his keen awareness of social dynamics, makes this poem a timeless exploration of the complexities surrounding race and human interaction. As readers engage with the dialogue between the speaker and the landlady, they are prompted to reflect on the enduring relevance of these themes and the importance of dismantling preconceived notions in the pursuit of genuine understanding and equality.