The Trials of Brother Jero

Wole Soyinka 

The Trials of Brother Jero, a play, was written by Wole  Soyinka. 

Summary
Brother Jero is a self-styled 'prophet,' an evangelical con man who ministers to the gullible and struts with self-importance over their dependence on him. The play follows him through a typical day: He acts as kind of tourist guide, displaying himself to the audience, explaining, demonstrating how he manages to live by his wits. He is pursued and cursed by his aged mentor, whose territory he has taken over. His ultimate ambition is to be called the Velvet-hearted Jeroboam, Immaculate Jero, and Articulate Hero of Christ’s Crusade. He is besieged by a woman creditor who turns out to be the tyrannical wife of his chief disciple. He converts a pompous, painfully timid Member of Parliament with prophecies of a ministerial post. And all day he tries to resist the endless temptation of beautiful women, the play is delightfully picturesque and entertaining. It is very relevant to the contemporary socio-political and religious situation in Nigeria. 

I really enjoyed reading the play. The part i liked most was that of Amope. She is the wife of Chume, an assistant of prophet Jero. From her dialogue with her husband, a fish seller and the prophet, we deduced that Amope is a troublesome and warlike woman. But even in her abusive tone, Soyinka still manage to make the reader laugh. Below is part of the dialogue she had with Chume after he was forced to carry her on his bicycle with all the belongings she will need to stay in front of the debtor’s house for one full week. These items include even a mat and a kitchen stool, both of which are tied around the same bike. The total picture, clearly exaggerated by Soyinka, provokes laughter and serves as comic relief to the distressing information about Prophet Jero and the church.

AMOPE: Just leave the bag here. I can use it for a
pillow.
CHUME: Is there anything else before I go?
AMOPE: I know it’s not much, but I would like
something to sleep on. There are women who sleep
in beds of course, but I am not complaining …. They
are just lucky with their husbands, and we can’t all
be lucky, I suppose.
CHUME: You’ve got a bed at home.
He unties the mat which is wound round the crossbar.
AMOPE: And so I am to leave my work undone. My
trade is to suffer because I have a bed at home?
Thank God I am not the kind of woman who…
CHUME: I am nearly late for work.
AMOPE: I know you can’t wait to get away. You
only use your work as an excuse. A Chief
Messenger in the Local Government Office – do you
call that work? Your old school friends are now
Ministers, riding in long cars…
Chume gets on his bike and flees. Amope shouts
after him craning her neck in his direction.
AMOPE: … He doesn’t realize it is all for his own
good. He’s no worse than other men, but he won’t
make the effort to become something in life. A Chief
Messenger. Am I to go into my grave as the wife of

a Chief Messenger?
             ends

How hilarious!

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