The Road by Wole Soyinka - Essay Example

Post-colonialism The notion post-colonialism simply refers to the theories pointing out the impact and influence of the European imperialism on the social, cultural, religious and economic fields of the poor Asian, African and Latin American states. Since the refined pieces of literature serve as the true representative of the era in which they have been produced, twentieth century literature is affluent with the indelible imprints of the imperialistic rule over the third world countries. Renowned Nigerian writer and poet of contemporary era Wole Soyinka has also elaborated the years of British imperialistic sovereignty in African states, as well as the struggle made by the African subjects for the emancipation from the foreign rule, where the writer aims to state that though imperialism has also shown new and remarkable dimensions of economic development and tremendous improvement of infrastructure, yet the nations mentally remain slave and dependent for the future decades to come, and seldom take initiative for the uplift of their culture. His famous play “The Road” defines the very reality that foreign rule over a country apparently unites the nation against the common enemy; somehow, this artificial unity and synthetic bond between the naturally divided classes cause further acceleration of hatred and conflict between them, where the haves exploit the haves-not stand against one another with stronger enthusiasm. Soyinka is of the view that corruption binds the national institutions in such a manner that the public departments become the symbol of corruption and malpractices. (The Road, 1987) The same issues have been discussed by celebrated legislator, lawyer and writer Anghie (2005), where he submits to state that the imperialism does not depart from the third world for good; rather, it remains active through its policies, technological advancements, culture and agents, which keep the ball of foreign imperialism rolling forever and ever. Illustrious Palestinian-American writer and human rights activist Edward Said (1978) has also thrown light on the same problem, where the once subjugated states are unable to obtain complete freedom from the awkward clutches of imperialism; consequently, they remain dependent on their western masters for financial aid, social uplift and economic development of their country. The entire situation is actually the outcome of the fabrication well-knitted by the colonialists for the sustenance of their influence over their ex colonies. Consequently, anarchy, chaos, disorder, corruption and extreme kind of financial and moral corruption could easily be witnessed in the former colonies of the big powers. Psychoanalysis Attributed to celebrated 20th century Austrian psychologist theorist Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis is an analytical method of exploring all that is consciously and unconsciously prevailing in the mind of the individual under-treatment or under-investigation. The method is unanimously accredited to Freud for inventing the same method and applying it on the patients suffering from different type of mental, emotional or psychological collapse. Freud is of the opinion that instead of one single factor, there appear many issues and reasons that regulate human behavior and determine various activities performed by the humans in one way or the other. Hence, instead of looking into the factors existing in the conscious, Freud pays more heed to human subconscious that plays pivotal role in the liking, disliking and priorities owned by the individuals while taking decisions regarding their actions, reactions and everyday behavior at large. (Pervin, 1995) Freud is of the opinion that most of the personality traits have been developed in early years of childhood, as these childhood memories become an essential and inevitable part of the individuals’ subconscious. Being the store-house of memories, preferences and priorities, individuals cannot escape from these memories even in their grown years and thus remain under the control and influence of one’s past quite unconsciously. It is therefore, the children, victim of any physical, mental or sexual assault in childhood, remain unconsciously fearful of the same exploitation; consequently, either they start abhorring the entire stratum responsible for such torture and agony in childhood, or start taking revenge from the other members of society for the cruelty and atrocity inflicted upon them in childhood. Literature is replete with the stories related to determination and growth of personality on the concrete foundations of the childhood memoirs, as the protagonist Clarissa in Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway (1924/2003) unconsciously feels loneliness in the absence of her childhood friend Peter Walsh. Similarly, renowned feminist writer Dorothy Alison (2005) views in her Survival that she abhors the entire male folk because of her six years long rape at the hands of her stepfather from the age 5 to 11 years. The psychoanalysis not only explores the basic reason behind conducting of an action as well as behind committing of an offence or crime, but also suggests treatment for the same. It is therefore, the procedure won global applause, and the counselors adopted it for the treatment of their patients. Additionally, the method The Dark Knight The Dark Knight (2008) is a famous film produced, directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan. The film emphasizes upon the perpetual state of conflict between the torch-bearers of goodness on the one hand, and the supporters of the evil on the other, in a sonorous tone, where the Joker’s character represents injustices, malpractices and exploitations being committed within the social establishment at the hands of the oppressors, opportunists and black-mailers on the innocent and harmless citizens. However, the brave, dauntless and responsible persons, both from the law enforcing agencies and among the public in general, rise to the occasion in order to combat with the nuisance in order to crush it under the chariot wheels of dogged will and unabated determination to free the society from the very curse. The film raises many questions regarding the misuse of time, talent and energies in the pursuit of pelf, power and possession. The film views that apparently the evil meets its fateful end at last after exercising its obnoxious will by putting the peace and stability of the society in grave jeopardy; however, its journey carries on through the individuals having almost the same aptitude and inclinations on the one hand, and undergoing almost the same exploitation committed on them in their past by some nasty members of society on the other. The same is applied to one of the negative characters of the film under-analysis i.e. the Joker. Joker is the villain and leader of the evil characters presented in the film. It is he, who devised all the planning for his gang and implements the same with its full swing. He is also responsible for countering the attacks of his rivals, which he successfully observes, and hence kills many prominent figures, including the commissioner, during the course of the fight. However, his activities reflect upon the past associated with his personality and environment. It is therefore, he robs the bank that has been misused for the purpose of money laundering. Since money laundering is itself a crime in its nature and scope, it is in his subconscious that the evil should be eliminated by using it for his personal benefit. He is well aware of the corruptions and malpractices being committed by the politicians, bankers and the personnel belonging to law enforcing agencies, so the joker maintains no sympathies for these social strata, and inflicts all types of atrocities to save his skin at the cost of others. Though he is quite conscious of the misdeeds he and his gang have been involved into, yet he considers the law makers and officials as the white collar offenders, which have seldom strived to break the money laundering network. Many a times the joker finds the opportunities of surrendering his nefarious game, as well as to escape from the very scene, yet he prefers sticking to his cause rather exhibiting any timidity or cowardice. Freud has also explained three basic concepts including id, ego and super ego in his theory, which are, according to him, the essential components of personality. Id is born with the individual and has everlasting impact upon personality. Id urges man to take step for the immediate gratification of the desires, as the entire gang of criminals observes while robbing the bank and challenging the law enforcing agencies. The same notion has been elaborated by Freud in his psychoanalytic theory that man fantasizes the unfulfilled desires he observes in his dreams. In order to quench the thirst of these dreams, man is determined to cross limits to soothe his soul and satisfy his desires in one way or the other. Somehow, Freud nullifies the very idea that all human wishes could come true in life; here appears the question of ego. Ego is the part of personality analyses the situation in the light of real state of affairs, so that an action could either be exercised or avoided. The Joker keeps id and ego while exercising his actions and gratifying his lust to capture the wealth, prestige and power, and kills several persons in cold blood. On the contrary, another personality, keeps his head up by adopting superego and challenging the mafia; this is actually another major character called Batman in the film under analysis. Batman is enthusiastic to destroy the network of criminals and robbers. He puts his life at stake, and captures the Chinese mafia Lau to recover the amount from the accountant. Instead of pecuniary gains and pelf, he prefers respect and duty towards his society and nation. Though he has to fight a lengthy and destructive fight against the mafia, yet he remains dauntless on the face of hardships, and thus turns out to be triumphant at last. Freud has described the same in his concept of superego, where he says that the dignified personality traits are usually inherited from the decent and responsible parents, which require sacrifice and hard efforts for the good of others. Thus, the film under analyses wide opens new horizons of thoughtfulness to spectators, and communicates the message that good always prevails even the evil is affluent with armaments and resources. However, this fall of evil is temporary one in nature, as the conflict and clash between both the two are everlasting even before man’s arrival on the earth. Works Cited Allison, Dorothy. “Survival is Least of My Desires”. An Extract from “Skin: Talking About Sex, Class & Literature. Firebrand Books 2005 Anghie, Antony. “Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law” Cambridge University Press 2005 103 Nolan, Christopher. “The Dark Knight.” New York: Pearson Longman, 2008. Pervin, Lawrence A. “Personality: Theory, Assessment & Research.” 7th Edition John Wiley & Sons Inc. Canada 1995 69-84 Soyinka, Wole “Six Plays.” Childe International (play) republished. 1987 Woolf, Virginia. “Mrs. Dalloway.” Collector’s Library 2003 Read More