Portrayal of Abuse and Violence in Wole Soyinka’s <i>The Trials of Brother Jero</i>

Abuse and violence are two words used interchangeably but are societal problems having far-reaching consequences on the victims in particular and the society in general. They are phenomena that cut across gender, race, and colours, and are currently topical and trending issues in the Nigerian society of the 21st century. In fact, in the first quarter of the year 2022, there have been several reported cases of abuse/violence, especially against women. Most studies on abuse and violence usually are concerned with how they affect the female gender in society. These events have motivated the researcher to study the literary piece of a Nigerian veteran writer and Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, who has been copiously studied by several literary scholars all over the world. His works have won several awards and this has contributed to the popularity of his literary canon. This research work however is looking at The Trials of Brother Jero, a satirical comedy that discusses the theme of the religious hypocrisy of ‘supposed’ men of God, who have turned what should be selfless service into a business enterprise. A close study of the select text reveals that very few persons have looked at it from the point of view of abuse or violence. In fact, researches looking at the text from the angle of how religion constitutes abuse and violence are rare; this is the focus of this research. This work applies the critical textual analysis of the select text, using the deconstruction theoretical framework (after giving so much thought to the suitable framework) to x-ray the various forms of abuse and violence evident in the text. This paper identified five forms of violence: cultural, emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual violence; and three forms of abuse –financial, sexual and verbal abuse. It further analysed these forms of violence and abuse evident in the play. This study contends that abuse and violence, whether covertly or overtly, are integers of social and human interactions, and have a meaningful place in the drama of Wole Soyinka, especially in its characterisation, thematic preoccupation, and conflict creation and resolution. It equally discussed how the manifestation of these forms of abuse and violence project the deeper message of the text. The study concludes that abuse and violence are evidently portrayed in the text and that they are effective tools in Soyinka’s social satires.