Title: The Trials of Brother Jero
Book Author: Wole Soyinka
Summary: The Trials of Brother Jero is a play written by Wole Soyinka. It centers on a preacher named Brother Jero. Brother Jero sets up a shack on Bar Beach in Lagos. He begins to make fake prophecies and promises of the future in return for money and materialism.
Brother Jero is very charming and persuasive. As a preacher of religion, he uses these skills to convince his followers to give him their money for his prophesies.
Wole Soyinka uses this character to highlight the hypocrisy and corruption that sometimes exist even in faith-based relationships.
In private, Brother Jero embodies everything a religious leader should not be. He tricks his followers but at the same time he publicly presents himself as a spiritual authority.
As the story progresses, Jero faces various challenges, including conflicts with his wife. Unlike his followers, his wife sees right through the person he presents to the public and knows he is deceitful. He also faces challenges with another rival preacher who poses a threat to his position.
The play will make you laugh but at the same time, it is very educations. There are so many lessons to be learned from it but most importantly it highlights the dangers of using faith for personal gain. It also sheds light on the societal issues surrounding religious institutions in Nigeria.
Publisher: Dramatist’s Play Service
Genre: Literary fiction and African Literature
ISBN 10: 0822210908
ISBN 13: 978-0822210900
Year of Publication: Originally published in 1963 by Oxford University Press
Date of Publication: January 1, 1998 (by Dramatist’s Play Service)
Pages: 72
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