CHARLATANISM AND PURITANISM IN SOYINKA’S THE TRIALS OF BROTHER JERO AND NGUGI’S THE BLACK HERMIT
Abstract
Literature
reflects the prevailing tendencies within a society, and charlatanism and
Puritanism has been among the major issues that call for concern in our
society. A survey of Soyinka’s The Trials
of Brother Jero and Ngugi’s The Black
Hermit revealed the effect of charlatanism and Puritanism respectively as
they depict wrongs and corrections. The effects of charlatanism are
exploitation and disunity, whereas reformation and cultural conflict are of
Puritanism. This work is a unique contribution to the growth of literature in
the contemporary society and a perfect instrument for the reflection of the
society in which we live. Soyinka’s The
Trials of Brother Jero, Ngugi’s The
Black Hermit is satirizing the conduct of charlatan, and at the same time
paving way for a correction (purification). It is recommended among other
that, Government should stop all single parlor fellowship of few members, Since
unemployment may cause charlatanism, the government should create job
opportunities. Education is the bedrock of peace, unity, and development in the
society; therefore Government should make free and compulsory education to all
citizen.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
to the Study
The
word Charlatanism and Puritanism are in sharp contrast to each other when
looking at the attitudes that govern their conduct. Firstly, charlatanism can
be seen as the belief and practice of the charlatans who claim to have
knowledge or skill that they do not really have. The word comes from French
charlatan, a seller of the machine who created an outdoor stage show to lure people
with his fake medicine. It can also be traced to Spanish charlatan who was
known for his quacks.
The
quackery practice, via to some form of pretense or deception to obtain money, fame,
power and other advantages are embedded in charlatanism. Thus, attitude to life that
guides charlatan’s behavior is Charlatanism.
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Due
to prevalent acts of charlatans in our society, Wole Soyinka mirrored and
satirized the act in the person of Brother Jero, when looking at spiritual communication
who fakes evidence that a spirit is making contact with the medium and seeker.
Looking at Puritanism is a belief and practice
of the puritans who have strict and moral attitudes toward the church, society and
so on. The puritans did not give themselves this name. At first, the name
“Puritanism” was used to humiliate the puritans, but after a while, they adopted
the name for themselves. The name comes from the word “Pure” and has the
meaning “clean” Unspoiled” Proper”.
The root of Puritanism is seen at the beginning of the English reformation. In
1530’s, King Henry Viii repudiate Papal authority and transform the Church of Rome
into Church of England. This religious reform movement firstly arose within Church
of England in the late sixteen. It was not only a historically specific phenomenon
coincident with the founding of New England, but was also a way of being in the
world a style of response to life experience that has reverberated through
people life. In the 17th century, when these Puritans noted for morals
and religious earnestness that enwrapped
their ways of life, they sought to reform the church, thus, using or turning to preach, using a variety
of experiments, pamphlets, religious expression, organization and in
social behavior.
This
conduct is portrayed by Ngugi Wa-Thiong’o in the Black Hermit where Remi and
his friend Orange was in the force of transformation.
1.2
Statement
of the Problem
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One
may ask, what could be the cause of the downward trend that has sabotaged the
peace, unity, progress and national interest in our society. The indisputable
fact is that the deviant way of life is echoed in our society “Nigeria” as it
give birth to bribery and corruption, deception, exploitation, self-centered,
and cultural conflict.
No wonder, when Paul Apostle in his letter to Corinthian
Says
But understand this that in the last
day, there will come a time of difficulty, for people will be a lover of selves,
lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control
brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of Godliness, but
denying its power. Avoid such people……..(2nd
Corinth. 11 vs 13-15)
With this Charlatan trend in our society, a force of
transformation is applied by the Puritans to correct the suppose effect thereby
lead to chaos and differences in beliefs. The problem of this research work is to find
out the effect of Charlatanism and Puritanism in church and society respectively.
1.3
Aims
and Objectives.
The
aims and objectives of this study on Charlatanism and Puritanism in Soyinka’s The Trials of Brother Jero and Nggugi’s The Black Hermit are as follows:
i. To ascertain the effects of Charlatanism and
Puritanism in the church and society respectively.
ii. To profess ways that should be adopted to
correct the bad effect of the problem.
1.4
Significance
of the Study
The alarming case of exploitation, cunning
nature of this 21st century prophet, and other deviant act is no
news in our churches and society today; and in the same vein, the tribal
cankerworm that has eaten deep the unity and oneness of our nation can only be
dealt with through proper orientation of the effect of these monsters. Thus,
i.
In no small measure shall this work be
to Christians who are ready to serve God in spirit and in truth by taking them
to the known of this fake prophet.
ii.
In a country like Nigeria, where
tribalism is the order of the day, this work will sabotage it and in turn, bring
to lime-light the importance of oneness and unity.
iii.
This work will be of help to researcher
and later- day scholars who will carry out research on the related topic.
1.5
Research Methodology
The research study uses both primary and secondary sources. The primary source
refers to the use of two texts: The Trial
of Brother Jero and The Black
Hermit as the primary texts for discussion while the secondary sources
refers to the use of the library, internet, journals for the purpose of the study.
1.6
Scope
and Limitation of the study.
The
scope of this study is limited to a primary and secondary source which comprises of the primary text: Soyinka’s The Trials of Brother Jero and Nggugi’s The Black Hermit. The secondary source
includes Oxford Dictionary, related texts, online references and so on. As such
will not affect the result of my findings.
1.7
Definition
of Term
For the purpose of emphasis and clarity, the
following terms is given a brief
Definition as follows:
Charlatanism:
This is the belief of the charlatan who claims to have knowledge or skills that
they do not really have, but for the purpose of this study, it refers to the belief
of quacks and cunning people that use the guise of pretense and claims to
exploit people.
Puritanism:
This is the belief of the puritans who have strict moral attitudes for
reformation.
Wolf in a white a garment:
This refers to quack and false prophet who pretend to be of God.
Tribal Cankerworm/Monster:
this refers to evils or dangerous influence that spreads and affect people
behavior.
Seeker:
This is a person that tries to find a solution to his or her problem.
Medium:
This is a channel through which information is passed.
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