Title: The Trials of Brother Jero
Author: Wole Soyinka
Publisher: Dramatist’s Play Service
Genre: Literary Fiction, African Literature
ISBN-10: 0822210908
ISBN-13: 978-0822210900
Year of Original Publication: 1963 (Oxford University Press)
Current Edition Publication Date: January 1, 1998 (Dramatist’s Play Service)
Pages: 72
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 Chume’s wife, Amope. Chume is one of his followers but unlike Chume, Amope 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 educational. 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.
Main Characters in The Trials of Brother Jero:
- Brother Jero – A self-proclaimed prophet and the central character. He is manipulative, charismatic, and often comedic. He uses religion to exploit others for personal gain.
- Chume – A gullible follower of Brother Jero. He works as a messenger in the civil service and is often frustrated with his controlling wife. He seeks spiritual help from Jero, who uses him.
- Amope – Chume’s domineering and sharp-tongued wife. She constantly nags, mocks and belittles Chume and is a rather troublesome woman. In many ways, her personality contributes to Chume’s need or desire to seek relief through spiritual guidance. With that said, Amope had good intuitions as she was one of the first people to notice that Brother Jero was a first prophet.
- The Old Prophet – Jero’s former mentor. He trained him but Brother Jero deceived him and took over his bar beach prayer space. He represents the older generation of prophets.
- The Messenger (Government Official) – He wanted to become a minister of war and later became a member of Brother Jero’s church. Brother Jero ends up using his influence to deal with Chume.
- The Drummer Boy – He is seen as a low life and beggar. He is chased by a woman while she is in a fit of anger and Brother Jero intercepts.
- The Penitent – This woman was struggling with fertility issues and goes to the church in search of “the fruit of the womb.” Just like other characters, Brother Jero exploits her as well.
What are your thoughts on this play? Have you had a chance to read it? Let us know in the comments!
