Telephone Conversation and dedication

Telephone Conversation and dedication 

BY: Wole Soyinka

Plot Summary:

Humanity has an innate awareness of differences between individuals. Our senses easily recognize differences between male and female, old and young, black and white. Our ability to communicate suffers encumbrance when focusing too strongly on our differences. Wole Soyinka, in his poem “Telephone Conversation,” demonstrates how racism deteriorates communication through the dialog occurring between the primary characters. Soyinka uses racism to show the audience how detrimental preconceived notions are to communication.

The central conflict of this story is between the caller (the protagonist) and racism he experiences at the hands of the property owner (the antagonist). The struggle begins when the main character, being satisfied with some of the incidentals, confesses his African descent. The caller’s admission changes the focus and direction of the conversation, and begins to create a gulf between their cohesive form as lessee and lessor. In addition, the disclosure exposes his fear of judgment on the merit of race. Complicating the conflict, and confirming the protagonist’s fears, is the smug response given by the owner when she asks him “Are you light or very dark.” This question reveals the landlady as a stereotypical racist of the time and compounds the narrative’s tension. In addition, the caller feels shamed by having to diagnose his color saturation. The crescendo of the tale arrives after the prospective renter has had enough of the condescending inquisition. He begins to catalog the various colors of certain body parts, mockingly entertaining the prejudices of the owner, which shifts the offensiveness of the conversation to the antagonist. In addition, the protagonist’s rapid-fire catalog of parts, ending with his backside, displays a new confidence as he determines the call is about over. Unfortunately, an amicable resolution between the two characters is unobtainable, and the property owner, does in fact, hang up. The caller has not procured an apartment, but has confirmed his fear of discrimination. Avoiding a futile trip is the only redeeming quality of his conversation with the landlord.

Communication between two individuals can be difficult even when cultural and racial bias does not factor into the dialog. Even basic challenges can exist that prevent communication of ideas and thoughts. Soyinka, in this “telephone conversation” reminds us that when people allow preconceived notions to influence their ability to converse and interact, they impede our opportunity to benefit from each other. He illustrates through this poem the detrimental affects of racism and assumption, which prevent mutual advantage: the main character was not able to procure a place of residency, and the property-owner did not get her benefit – monthly rent money.