We will be reading and discussing The Trials of Brother Jero, led by Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka. Here is Folabo’s note about the play: The Trials of Brother Jero (1963) by Wole Soyinka is a light -hearted satirical comedy about fake prophets who treat religion as a “business for profit.” Jero, (Jeroboam) epitomizes this band of religious hypocrites, but in the end he is exposed for the charlatan he is. Devoid of any religious training or conviction, but nimble at reading people, Jero does not hesitate to exploit the needs, wants, weakness, and/or misfortunes of his followers and potential victims to boost his ego and make money. There is plenty of laughter as word play, circumstantial locations, gullibility, and psychological manipulations are woven around a hint of love, betrayal, and sexual repression.
We will be reading and discussing The Trials of Brother Jero, led by Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka. Here is Folabo’s note about the play: The Trials of Brother Jero (1963) by Wole Soyinka is a light -hearted satirical comedy about fake prophets who treat religion as a “business for profit.” Jero, (Jeroboam) epitomizes this band of religious hypocrites, but in the end he is exposed for the charlatan he is. Devoid of any religious training or conviction, but nimble at reading people, Jero does not hesitate to exploit the needs, wants, weakness, and/or misfortunes of his followers and potential victims to boost his ego and make money. There is plenty of laughter as word play, circumstantial locations, gullibility, and psychological manipulations are woven around a hint of love, betrayal, and sexual repression.