Classic Literatures of the World
Summative Assessment (Midterm) - Group B
Word Count: 475 words
10/13/2023
Telephone Conversation: Unmasking Racism and the Complexity of Identity
According to the American Psychological Association, racism is a prejudiced belief system rooted in
the idea that distinct racial categories possess unique qualities, fostering the notion that some racial
groups are superior or inferior. It encompasses negative attitudes, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and
results in unfair treatment based on race. At its extreme, racism leads to violence. Discriminatory
practices also frequently arise, resulting in the unjust treatment and exclusion of individuals solely due
to their racial identity.
The analysis of Wole Soyinka's "Telephone Conversation" provides valuable insights into how racism
and the complexity of identity are depicted in the poem. The initial lines of the poem offer a stark
illustration of the racism the protagonist encounters. The landlady's fixation on the speaker's skin
color and her questions about how dark he is underscore her prejudice. Her inquiries reveal that she is
solely concerned with the color of the speaker's skin and how it relates to his suitability as a tenant.
These lines serve as a striking portrayal of the immediate racial discrimination that the speaker faces.
As the poem unfolds, the complexity of identity becomes increasingly evident through the
protagonist's responses. The speaker engages with the landlady's discriminatory questions using wit
and sarcasm. His description of himself as a "West African sepia" demonstrates that identity can be
intricate and individualized. This flexibility of identity is further highlighted as the speaker adapts his
self-perception and description to challenge the landlady's assumptions and underline the absurdity of
categorizing people solely based on their skin color. The poem carries a satirical undertone, shedding
light on the absurdity of racial prejudice. It emphasizes the unpredictable and irrational nature of
racism by showing how the speaker's identity can shift and adapt in response to the landlady's
discriminatory attitudes.
In conclusion, "Telephone Conversation" powerfully encapsulates the themes of racism and the
intricate nature of human identity. The poem effectively embodies the American Psychological
Association's definition of racism through the landlady's immediate fixation on the speaker's skin
color and her discriminatory questions. It starkly reveals the negative attitudes, harmful stereotypes,
and unjust treatment that often accompany racial prejudice, even in a seemingly mundane
conversation about renting a room. Furthermore, the poem masterfully highlights the complexity of
identity. The protagonist's responses cleverly resist the landlady's racial biases, using humor and wit to
underscore the multifaceted nature of human identity. This intellectual adaptation showcases that a
person's identity transcends mere skin color. "Telephone Conversation" serves as a compelling
reminder that addressing racism is both a moral imperative and an acknowledgment of the diverse,
intricate identities that define us as individuals. The poem underscores the urgency of promoting
inclusivity, rejecting racial discrimination, and celebrating the rich tapestry of identities within our
global society. In a world that continues to grapple with the consequences of racial bias, Soyinka's
poem retains its relevance as a thought-provoking literary piece.
REFERENCE/S:
For Students. (n.d.). https://www.booksfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/poetry-for-studentsvolume-27_booksfree.org_.pdf#page=269
Racism,
bias,
and
discrimination.
https://www.apa.org/topics/racism-bias-discrimination\
(n.d.).
https://www.apa.org.