Symbolism in the Drama of J.P. Clark and Femi Osofisan

The interpretation of literary texts in African drama has become a hazardous task to many readers (especially non-African readers). Many a time, it is difficult to go beyond the surface literal meanings of a text. Readers often take what characters say as what they mean and do and unfortunately, most dramatists, do not usually provide explanatory notes at the end of such texts to aid the readers’ understanding. Hence, the aim of this study is to embark on the analyses of the works of John Pepper Clark and Femi Osofisan (both Nigerian Dramatists), to see how they have used symbolism in their plays The Raft and Another Raft respectively to convey other meanings than the surface textual meanings to the readers while trying to reflect the socio-political situations in Nigeria after independence.

This will be discussed with a view to enlightening the readers of African dramatic texts about what symbols stand for in African drama, such that while reading African plays, readers will be in a position to appreciate and understand such texts better.