Discuss the dramatic effects of the writing,considering the ways Soyinka shapes the audiences to the characters and concerns of the play

In The Trial of Brother Jero, Chume is the only other character to give an extended monologue. However, his monologue is delivered in pidgin English and is shorter than Brother Jero’s speeches. As such, Chume’s monologue does not recruit the viewer to his perspective. Moreover, it is clear to the audience that Chume misinterprets several details about Amope and Brother Jero’s relationship. While Chume believes that they are lovers, Brother Jero simply owes Amope money. The audience knows they are not lovers, and that Chume is wrong.

In other words, the audience has a perspective on the characters that they do not have. This is true in both The Trial of Brother Jero and The Strong Breed. Although monologues give viewers’ a sense for that individual character’s perspective, these monologues appear in particular, discrete moments in the play. The format of the play allows the audience to learn different characters’ perspectives through their monologues, but not to share in them. The audience will always experience a character’s perspective as a particular drama unfolding outside of themselves, on the stage and in a particular moment and scene.