Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation depicts a conversation between a white lady and an African American man which casts a harsh light on the racism and prejudice which grips society.
The title reveals the fact that two people are talking on the phone, so the beginning of the poem is on a positive note: The man is searching for a house and the land lady has named a considerable price, and the area where it is located is an impartial and not racially prejudiced. Also the man could enjoy his privacy as the land lady does not live under the same roof. The African man is ready to accept the offer, but maybe there has been a similar incident in his past, for he stops and admits to her that he is black, saying he prefers not to waste the time travelling there if she’s going to refuse him on that bounds.
There is silence at the other end; silence which the black man thinks is the reluctant result of an inbred sense of politeness. However he is wrong because when she speaks again, she disregards all formalities and asks him to explain how dark he is. The man first thinks he has misheard but then realizes that that is not true as she repeats her question with a varying emphasis. Feeling as if he has just been reduced to the status of a machine, similar to the telephone in front of him, and asked to choose which button he is, the man is so disgusted that he can literally smell the stench coming from her deceptive words and see red everywhere around him. Ironically he is the one who is ashamed by the tense and awkward silence which follows, and asks for clarification thinking sarcastically that the lady was really helpful by giving him options to choose from. He suddenly understands what she is trying to ask, and repeats her question to her stating if she would like him to compare himself with chocolate, dark or light? She dispassionately answers and his thoughts change as he describes himself as a West African Sepia as it says in his passport. The lady remains quite for a while, not wanting to admit to her ignorance, but then she gives in to curiosity and asks what that is. He replies that it is similar to brunette and she immediately clarifies that that’s dark.
Now the man has had enough of her insensitiveness. He disregards all constraints of formality and mocks her outright, saying that he isn’t all black, the soles of his feet and the palms of his hands are completely white, but he is foolish enough to sit on his bottom so it has been rubbed black due to friction. But as he senses that she is about to slam the receiver on him, he struggles one last time to make her reconsider, pleading her to at least see for herself; only to have the phone slammed on him.
Wole Soyinka uses two main literary devices to drive home the message of the poem. The first of the two is imagery. Right at the beginning, the imagery used to describe the mental image the man has of the woman: “lipstick coated, gold rolled cigarette holder piped”, just from listening to her voice shows one that he thinks that she is, socially speaking above him, from a higher social class.
Then when he hears her question regarding how dark he is, he is so humiliated and angry that he sees red everywhere. The imagery of the huge bus squelching the black tar is symbolic of how the dominant white community treats those belonging to the minor black one.
The next most evident use is that of irony. In the beginning of the poem, the African says that he has to “self-confess” when he reveals his skin color to the lady. The color of his skin is something that he has no control over, and even if he did, it is not a sin to be dark skinned, so the fact that the man feels ashamed and sorry for this is ironical and casts light on how ridiculous racism is that one should apologize or be differentiated against solely because of the color of one’s skin. Also, it seems almost comical that anyone should be so submissive when he has actually committed no mistakes.
On the other hand, the lady is continuously described in positive terms, suggesting that she is of a good breeding and upper class. Even when the reader finds out that she is a shallow and racist person who exhibits extreme insensitivity by asking crude questions, the man seems to think that she is ‘considerate; and her clinical response to his question shows only ‘light impersonality.’ The repeated and exaggerated assertions of the woman’s good manners and sophistication drip with irony as her speech contradict this strongly.
Also the basis of the woman rejecting to lease her house to the man is because of the prejudiced notion that African Americans are a savage and wild people. This idea is completely discredited by the ironical fact that throughout the poem the man retains better manners and vocabulary than the woman, using words such as “spectroscopic” and “rancid”, whereas she does not know what West African Sepia is and is inconsiderate in her inquiries. Using irony in this manner, Soyinka proves how absurd it is to judge the intellect or character of a man depending on the color of his skin only.
The poem deals with a foul subject, that of racism and prejudice, in a lighthearted, almost comical manner. A most important device which Soyinka has used to highlight this sense of racism, which was previously widespread in western society, is that of the telephone. Had the person been speaking face to face with the lady, this whole conversation would never have taken place. She would have either refused outright, or would have found a more subtle way of doing so. The whole back and forth about ‘how dark’ the man is wouldn’t have occurred. Thus the telephone is used to make the issue of racism clear and prove how nonsensical it really is.
Written in an independent style and delivered in a passively sarcastic tone, this poem is a potent comment on society. Soyinka might be speaking through personal experience, judging by the raw emotions that this poem subtly convey: those of anger, rage, shame, humility and an acute sense of disgust at the apathy and inhumanity of humans who won’t judge a book by its cover but would turn down a man for the color of his skin. In today’s world, racism might be a dying concern; but that does not mean that discrimination against other minorities has been completely eradicated. Despite the progressing times, people continue to harbor prejudices and illogical suspicions about things they do not understand: may it be others ideals, religions or traditions and customs. Thus this poem remains a universal message for all of us, as Soyinka manages to convey just how absurd all prejudices are by highlighting the woman’s poor choice of rejecting the man just because he does not share the same skin color.
‘Telephone Conversation’ is a favorite, both for its excellent use of rich language and the timeless message it conveys.
Aditi Dev
February 12, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Hey har33m ..your analysis of the telephone conversation is very nice ….and your story magical .k.eep up the good work..!!
tresa
June 8, 2012 at 5:46 am
yeh i ttly agree !!..u r really gud:)
rose
June 8, 2012 at 6:00 am
long way to go har33…its gud to noe tat u hv taken eng lit..!!!!
tresa
June 8, 2012 at 6:12 am
u r reallly gud!!…:)
tulika
June 25, 2012 at 7:23 pm
gud 1……….awsme………….!!!!
Ak
June 29, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Hey harr3mm you rock…. Coz of you i just understood the poem more clearly
shadow_lord
June 29, 2012 at 7:44 pm
you rock harr3m you will make an awesome career in english litreture i owe you one
Shreya Ganguly
July 26, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Remarkable task done ! Admiration from my side . . . 🙂 Keep up !
hassan masqati
July 31, 2012 at 4:47 am
hmm… gud work
Manav Patel
August 26, 2012 at 8:54 pm
excellent poem analysis
Jaya bagh
October 1, 2012 at 5:12 am
It’s very helpful for me
Jaya bagh
October 1, 2012 at 5:18 am
Hi i’m jay and i’m a literature student. You know your analysis of telephone conversation is very nice and it’s very helpful for me
m.sri
October 10, 2012 at 12:48 pm
gr8..
ravi teja
February 21, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Helpful
hellen
October 25, 2012 at 11:47 pm
good work lunch is on me
Jim KABLE
November 20, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Not African American – a West African man in Britain!
Madhuka
November 20, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Really good analysis!
Lavanya
November 27, 2012 at 10:49 am
great work! Helped me a lot thanks 😀
jack
November 28, 2012 at 9:39 am
very nice analysis my friend you helped me out greatly!
Ranil
December 7, 2012 at 5:50 am
thank s it is very helpful to me
Antara
January 2, 2013 at 1:57 pm
very helpful- thanks.
but the speaker cannot be an afro-am. red omnibuses, and red booths are characteristic of britain- right?
Antara
January 2, 2013 at 1:57 pm
very helpful- thanks.
but the speaker cannot be an afro-am. red omnibuses, and red booths are characteristic of britain- right?
Beyumakananki
January 7, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Gud work bro
junior
January 15, 2013 at 7:59 pm
thank you for your analysis.. it was really helpful for a student like me….
I want to add something to your analysis…
Silence here proves as a very powerful weapon and a kinda medium to convey the racial discrimination… isn’t it ??
Leila
January 16, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Not to nitpick, but you got it wrong on the first line. The conversation was with an African man, not an African-American – there is a difference. He does say so specifically when he says, I AM AFRICAN.
Ruth Anyanwu
February 4, 2013 at 4:45 pm
This is a wndrful analysis indeed,i wish i could do same. Tnks a lot cos it hs realy helped me.
poonam gupta
February 21, 2013 at 2:30 pm
helped me in my exam thanks a lot…………………
Nayonika
February 23, 2013 at 6:12 pm
This is a LIFE-SAVER!
vimal
February 24, 2013 at 1:13 pm
this was awesome and completely helpful.. thank you buddy 😀 !!
james
February 25, 2013 at 10:55 pm
saved my ass in english class, i owe you one
haneef a m
March 3, 2013 at 2:09 pm
clearly analysed..very good
yoyoy
March 4, 2013 at 2:46 pm
im bad at litereture
but understtod the poem
KenD
March 11, 2013 at 8:28 pm
The inter[retation was an eye opener..#serious note good work..soyinka has said so much in just 100 words..it touched the inside
Shivani Modi
March 14, 2013 at 12:28 pm
this was very very helpful!
Spencer Hastings
March 14, 2013 at 10:32 pm
I must say, thank you very much! I truly feel like I have comprehended the poem more clearly. Well done xo
Josèphine
March 16, 2013 at 4:15 pm
have never been satisfied as after reading this analysis,, now i understand the poem and its moral lessons. thank-you
padmanabha upadhyaya
March 23, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Perhaps the last line was misinterpreted by you-Soyinka was maybe being cheeky and full of mischief when he says would youlike to see ( my raven black bottom ) for yourselves ? !!!!!!
har33m
December 2, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Sure he was. The last line isn’t meant to be serious. He is being condescending of the lady’s mental capacity and shallow prejudice and feeling bitter about it, resorts to humor to convey his point.
http://photoalbum.connectix.be
March 25, 2013 at 4:35 am
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article!
It’s the little changes that produce the most significant changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Soorya
April 1, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Hai…u have done an excellent job…it’s very helpful 4 me
bright nnaeto
April 2, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Very comprehensive. It’s aided my proper understanding of d poem. A job weldone. Tanx!
Cbsajicb
April 24, 2013 at 1:39 pm
It very nice conversation
NoobQueen
May 25, 2013 at 8:16 am
cheers bro
Oishani Kido Ray
May 31, 2013 at 3:59 pm
very nice and helpful indeed………..thank you!
Ukonta
July 30, 2013 at 1:58 am
Thou art wise
Jake
August 1, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Much appreciated. Had to skip class today; your analysis makes the poem pretty clear to me. 🙂
Michael
August 1, 2013 at 6:26 pm
wow, this is fantastic! you analysis of this poem is out of this world. Never heard or read such and interesting analysis. keep it up!
kr gaurav
August 12, 2013 at 7:30 pm
awesome
Janii
August 18, 2013 at 8:00 am
excellent! would you mind if I use/rewrite parts of your analyses in a speech?
I will reference you…
could you please come back to me asap… thanx
har33m
August 18, 2013 at 11:09 am
I don’t mind. Go ahead. 🙂
rushali
August 24, 2013 at 11:37 pm
This was wonderful. Thank you. Looking forward for more 🙂
J D
September 3, 2013 at 6:05 pm
nice work ..helped me in my Exam …tanq so much
tumaveyah
September 26, 2013 at 9:38 pm
hey i love your analyses of the poem but i was told by my teacher it was about a taxi driver who the woman refused due to his colour and i have to write an essay about colour what am i supposed to do please tell her that she is wrong but hey thats totally rude
har33m
April 23, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Write your answer the way you see is right. Literature is about different interpretations. But I must admit I’m surprised and confused at how she managed to interpret a telephone conversation as a taxi ride.
Teacher
November 3, 2013 at 5:15 pm
The action in the poem takes place in London. The speaker is African (as he states in the poem).
AMMAR9922
November 20, 2013 at 5:44 pm
GR8 THIS HELPS TO UNDERSTAND THE POEM VERY WELL THNX
arun
December 17, 2013 at 10:41 am
good its very helpful
Georgia Lee-Finnie
January 2, 2014 at 1:10 am
Thank you very much. Isn’t it funny the people who are reading an English Literature essay cant speak bloody English. It’s not GR8 it’s great, it’s not THNX it’s thanks, it’s not tanq it’s thank you. WOW people….
But thanks a lot, this really helped me.
har33m
April 23, 2014 at 10:40 pm
You’re very welcome. The irony does not fail to amuse me. But I understand it is literally impossible for some people to understand that no matter where you’re sitting, in an exam hall or in front of the monitor, the rules of English Grammar still apply. So I’ve learned to make my peace with it.
And besides, the enjoyment of life is in the little things, you know?
Bruce Lord
November 6, 2014 at 6:23 pm
well said…:)
amasco
January 7, 2014 at 1:01 am
oyinka’s Telephone Conversation depicts a conversation between a white lady and an African American man which casts a harsh light on the racism and prejudice which grips society.
The writer of the poem is not an African American he is an African from Nigeria.
Rishi Einstein
January 11, 2014 at 11:56 am
vry good analysis.
Rose Ann Cunanan
February 9, 2014 at 3:00 pm
the african is a woman.. the word “brunette” is use when referring to a woman having dark complexion… brunet refers to man.
najwa
February 15, 2014 at 12:37 am
thats great , it helps me a lot to understand the poem more clearly thanks , wish you good luck
kirti
February 20, 2014 at 10:44 pm
i liked it very much
Pankaj raj
March 1, 2014 at 10:21 am
It was very helpfull 4 me, very thank u 4 helping me
mahlape
March 4, 2014 at 9:49 am
life saver ENG324 almost chawed me
CH
March 14, 2014 at 4:18 am
While I like your overall commentary, I have to disagree. He was not African American when he wrote this poem. He wrote the poem in 1962 while he lived in Nigeria. He emigrated to the US in 1994. The assumption would then be that he wrote about the conditions in the land he was living in rather than the US.
saru
May 22, 2014 at 4:09 pm
It’s very helpful for my Susan Elkins series
Meriem
May 26, 2014 at 11:04 pm
thanks a lot for your analysis! it is life-saving,the speaker here knows exactly what kind of thoughts the lady carried about Africa..that’s why he could mock her!
wilfred istifanus
July 4, 2014 at 3:44 am
it’s been helpful
rafa desucatan
July 11, 2014 at 11:35 am
where can i find the whole content of the poem? i cant find it! please help me . thanks!
Isaac
July 18, 2014 at 4:49 pm
It is such a nice book to read-on!
Okeke chidimma
July 31, 2014 at 3:18 pm
Gud work
kumutha
August 23, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Its very useful to me . Good job….
Senyelo Hezekiel
September 6, 2014 at 12:33 am
Wow, that was really awesome, now i know that i will pass my test
Princess.Phindile.773@facebook.com
October 17, 2014 at 2:15 pm
wow job well done it really help me to understand the poem well
ogendi olivia princess
October 25, 2014 at 2:06 pm
nice piece. i enjoyed the discourse.thanks
Audrey Rey Vocal
October 27, 2014 at 5:37 pm
i liked it. thank you
Mushrif.M
November 23, 2014 at 8:16 pm
nice
Anas haruna
November 24, 2014 at 6:35 pm
gud work!
Jonah Gabriel
January 12, 2015 at 12:43 am
Good
DANIYAL
January 19, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Really helpful
thnx
michael
January 30, 2015 at 8:13 am
perhaps near line 20 or so the writer begins to anticipate the outcome and becomes a bit sarcastic with his expression…with the use of assent, clinical, crushing,adjusted and even light….”til truthfulness clanged her accent”, when he was certain. Then maybe he became a bit of a smart alack, as he knew that she was going to end the call….guess that could be…?.
Mphatso magumbala mugabe
February 26, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Yes indeed black people have been discriminated in most sociall and morall activities in a community hence not realising black is just a skin colour not a heart of a human being as so depriving our rights as human beings.
TAHMID ANAM
June 20, 2015 at 9:12 pm
Tomorrow is my exam on the explanation of telephone conversation and helped me alot
Fisayo
July 2, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Good Job! God bless you
IKO
July 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Thanks man for your analysis, it has realy helped me to understand the poem very well.. I was confused when I first read it. Again thank you
selena
September 6, 2015 at 7:25 pm
I really enjoy and understood the poem very easily. Thank you for presenting this .It was really awesome.
Bharshi
September 6, 2015 at 7:32 pm
I enjoyed this poem and it is easy to understand. Thanks for presenting this. Really awesome.
Enter your name...phil chimseu
October 14, 2015 at 9:34 am
I like yo analysis
Rudolph
October 27, 2015 at 2:27 pm
This is a very good analysis i like it thanks
zailin_julian
January 31, 2016 at 8:51 am
it’s nice !!!!
hope you will have another one for the “The Castaways”
H. Rehman
January 31, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Thank you. I’m glad you found it useful.
Which Castaways? Claude McKay or William Cowper?
Danita
January 31, 2016 at 7:23 pm
It was a wonderful analysis…. Thank you very much…
Amina Kausar
February 4, 2016 at 8:40 am
Amazingly well written. Was of great help to me 🙂 Thank you!
Jen
November 12, 2016 at 11:28 am
Your analysis of the poem was truly amazing. It did justice to the poet and brought out emotions clearly.
The poet clearly comments on the whole racist society. We can see the level of the racist attitude when they have to include your skin color even in the passport.
But instead of judging the women as completely insensitive (which she was.),what if it was the racist society that she lived in which forced her to do so.(It is also a possibility). She seem to be willing to accommodate him.Maybe it is her greed of money which makes her do so.but still being in such a racist society which doesn’t even allow black people to sit in the same parts of the buses as the whites, she is at least trying to be different.It might be taken as a indication that bit by bit the racist attitude is diminishing and some people are willing to look beyond the skin deep color.
The fact that she has to ask how dark he is,is pathetic and depressing.But maybe it is the society which she lives in which makes her ask that.She is ready to have him if is only light dark.But still the situation where she has to ask him how dark he is and judging him on his complexion shows the racist prejudice prevailing in the society.
Akande Lekan
November 15, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Nw i can understand the poem clearly through ur analysis, keep it Up Sir. though this is nt my first time of reading the poem, each time I read it,i Found it very difficult To Understand, due to d fact dat am a science student. Bt thank u so much for the nice interpretation frm u
ki
February 12, 2017 at 4:45 am
very good analysis.
NIDHI BHARADWAJ
March 9, 2017 at 9:17 pm
it was really helpful to me
trulybelletrist
March 12, 2017 at 1:03 pm
Awesome!
Taimi Namwandi
March 26, 2017 at 10:29 pm
This is very outstanding. Your analysis helped me understand better this poem for my assignment. Thank you.
H. Rehman
March 27, 2017 at 4:34 am
You’re most welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment
Kelli
April 25, 2017 at 2:55 pm
If you wrote an article about life we’d all reach engenhtenmilt.
Anaheta
May 25, 2017 at 9:06 pm
hey this is really amazing. I Have my igcse tomorrow and this analysis hs helped me a lot . THANK YOU !!!! you are ding an incredible job. Will wait for more analysis. 🙂 🙂
H. Rehman
May 25, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Hi Anaheta,
Thank you. I’m glad my work helped. Good luck for your exam tomorrow!