Wole Soyinka's 'Telephone Conversation': Decoding Racial Satire

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya explore Wole Soyinka’s powerful poem 'Telephone Conversation,' delving into themes of white subjectivity, racial politics, and the power dynamics embedded in language.The duo discusses the significance of Soyinka’s lyric ‘I,’ addressing the poet’s bold reclamation of personal voice, the systemic racial barriers of 1960s Britain, and the stark contrasts between the speaker’s calm demeanor and the landlady’s prejudice. Together, they unpack how Soyinka skillfully uses the poem’s structure—its caesura and capitalized dialogue—to convey a sense of social disconnect and power imbalance.Exclusive resources for Poetry+ users on 'Telephone Conversation' include:Full PDF GuidePoetry Snapshot PDFWole Soyinka Poet PDF GuideExplore more about Wole Soyinka’s work and find thousands of analyzed poems on PoemAnalysis.com.Tune in and Discover:Soyinka’s critique of British society and racial prejudice in the 1960sThe intricate play of silence and power in Telephone ConversationHow Soyinka’s Nigerian identity and his lived experience influenced his poetryListen now and deepen your understanding of this strikingly relevant poem.Send us a textPsst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showAs always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.

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