ABSTRACT

Abstract

Language is a habit and expression of thought in dramatic creativity. Nigerian playwrights have used language with varying styles to project their visions and ideologies of dramatic creativity. Olu Obafemi, a Nigerian playwright, has used the resources of language to present his dramatic vision and ideology. Tenets of Marxism are adopted to critique Obafemi’s Suicide Syndrome. This paper makes the choice of Marxism considering the radical aesthetics in the play which is characterized by social and economic stratification between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. With Marxist reading of the play, this paper establishes that the topicality of the theme and subject matter of the play affords it the opportunity to collapse the past and the future into the present of Nigerian society. Obafemi’s dramaturgy is consistent with Marxist conception of literature and theatre as revealed in his adoption of Brechtian style of epic theatre. The success of the play lies so much on its language, characterization and plot to project radical aesthetics within Marxist theoretical focus.

Keywords: Olu Obafemi’s plays; Marxism and Nigerian Drama; Language and dramatic creativity.