TELIPHONE CONVERSATION BY WoleSoyinka NKA

Telephone Conversation by Wole Soyinka

About the Poet

Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist. He was the first African laureate to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. Much of his work addresses themes of oppression, colonialism, and identity, with a focus on the African experience.

Meanings of Difficult Words

• Premises: Building or property
• Sepia: A reddish-brown color
• Pressurized good-breeding: Forced politeness
• Rancid: Foul smelling
• Spectroscopic: Scientific analysis using light
• Peroxide blond: Artificially lightened hair

Summary of the Poem

"Telephone Conversation" is a satirical poem that highlights the absurdity of racism. An African man calls a white landlady about renting a flat. When he mentions he is African, she shockingly asks about how dark his skin is. The poet uses humor and irony to expose the irrational basis of racial discrimination.

Original Poem

The price seemed reasonable, location Indifferent. The landlady swore she lived Off premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. “Madam”, I warned, “I hate a wasted journey—I am African.”Silence. Silenced transmission of Pressurized good-breeding. Voice, when it came, Lipstick coated, long gold-rolled Cigarette-holder pipped. Caught I was, foully. “HOW DARK?”.... “ARE YOU LIGHT OR VERY DARK?” Button B. Button A. Stench Of rancid breath of public hide-and-speak. Red booth. Red pillar-box. Red double-tiered Omnibus squelching tar. It was real! Shamed By ill-mannered silence, surrender Pushed dumbfounded to beg simplification. “ARE YOU DARK? OR VERY LIGHT?” Revelation came. “You mean—like plain or milk chocolate?” Her assent was clinical, crushing in its light Impersonality. Rapidly, wave-length adjusted, I chose. “West African sepia”—and as afterthought, “Down in my passport.” Silence for spectroscopic Flight of fancy, till truthfulness changed her accent Hard on the mouthpiece. “WHAT’S THAT?” conceding “DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.” “Like brunette”. “THAT’S DARK, ISN’T IT?” “Not altogether.” Facially, I am brunette, but, madam, you should see The rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet Are a peroxide blond. Friction, caused— Foolishly, madam—by sitting down, has turned My bottom raven black—One moment madam!” Her receiver rearing on the thunderclap About my ears—“Madam”, I pleaded, “wouldn’t you rather See for yourself?”

Stanza-by-Stanza Explanation

Stanza 1: The speaker calls a landlady about a flat and discloses his race to avoid disappointment.

Stanza 2: The landlady reacts with awkward silence.

Stanza 3: She finally asks bluntly how dark his skin is, exposing her racial bias.

Stanza 4: The speaker is shocked and tries to clarify.

Stanza 5: She rephrases her question with the same prejudice.

Stanza 6: The speaker mocks her question using chocolate as a metaphor.

Stanza 7: He jokingly describes his skin tone as “West African sepia.”

Stanza 8: The landlady is confused and asks again.

Stanza 9: She guesses “brunette” and concludes it’s dark.

Stanza 10: The speaker jokes about different parts of his body being different colors.

Stanza 11: He ironically suggests she see him in person to judge for herself.

MCQs for Competitive Exams

1. Who wrote the poem "Telephone Conversation"?
A) Chinua Achebe
B) Wole Soyinka
C) Langston Hughes
D) Maya Angelou
Answer: B

2. What is the central theme of the poem?
A) Love
B) Racism
C) Urbanization
D) Friendship
Answer: B

3. What does the speaker describe his skin tone as?
A) Black and white
B) West African sepia
C) Chocolate brown
D) Milk chocolate
Answer: B

4. What figure of speech is used in "Button B. Button A."?
A) Alliteration
B) Metaphor
C) Repetition
D) Simile
Answer: C