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Quote by Wole Soyinka

“As a global citizen, I sometimes feel like denying my identity.”

Quote by Wole Soyinka

Author

Wole Soyinka is a renowned Nigerian writer, playwright, poet, and political activist. Born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Soyinka is known for his profound social commentary and critical literary works. His writings span various forms, including drama, poetry, and fiction, often exploring themes of race, class, colonialism, and African identity. more

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“I was born into a Christian household, in a parsonage in fact, so I grew up in sort of a missionary atmosphere but it was an environment which involved both the traditional religions as well as the Muslim religion, so we were exposed to all the various facets of faith, micro cultures which existed within those beliefs, and even though I've lost whatever Christian faith was drummed into me as a child, I still maintain very good relationship with all the various religions.”

“The Egba kingdom was one of the very last to be ceded to the British protectorate. It remained almost an independent entity within what is now known as Nigeria, simply because of its own traditional structure of governance.”

Lasts Known Independent Structure British Kingdoms Traditional Entity Governance Nigeria

Author:Wole Soyinka

“I grew up with a very strong sense of what is just and what is not or, to put it this way, I grew up with a keen sense of a division, the reality of a division of perception in people's lives between those who govern and those who govern.”

People Way Reality Strong Grew Perception Grew Up Division Very Strong

Author:Wole Soyinka

“The process of decolonisation in Nigeria was a very untidy one. The British, when they were leaving finally and knew exactly who they wanted to take over, they wanted pliant government, figures, structures, they wanted to continue indirectly in effect their control over much of their colonial possessions and this was one of the very early causes of conflict.”

Government Wanted Causes Process Effects Figures Conflict Structure Leaving Possession British Nigeria Causes Of Conflict

Author:Wole Soyinka

“The British inclined more towards the feudal mentality, the feudal structures rather than the more radical progressive elements who would re-shape society and institute pretty egalitarian systems of governance with opportunity for even disadvantaged people and so I found that decolonisation was not just the end of political struggle in Nigeria.”

People Ends Political Found Opportunity Struggle Shapes Elements Structure British Radical Progressive Mentality Governance Institute Nigeria Disadvantaged Political Struggle

Author:Wole Soyinka

“The problem with literature, with writing, is that it works sometimes in terms of correction of social ills. Other times, it just does not suffice. The proof of that is the ability of a dictator to snuff out the life of a writer.”

Writing Doe Sometimes Problem Literature Social Term Ability Proof Dictator Corrections Snuff

Author:Wole Soyinka

“Writers throughout the ages have one weapon, which is literature, but they also have their responsibilities as a citizen when literature does not seem to suffice. I mean, they are not mutually exclusive. One continues to write anyway but if you are called out to demonstrate, if people are being killed in the streets, it's hardly the moment to go for your pen and paper, you know, help in one way or the other.”

People Ifs Knows Way Writing Mean Doe Moments Helping Seems Age Literature Responsibility Streets Citizens Paper Weapons One Way Pens Exclusive

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“I think most writers would like a quiet space, complete isolation, in which they control their own time. Spaces of creativity in which there's very little interruption.”

Thinking Littles Space Creativity Quiet Isolation Interruptions Quiet Space

Author:Wole Soyinka

“As you get drawn more and more into other activities, like political activities, very demanding, you have to find different rhythms of writing; I think that's the word I'm looking for, rhythms of creativity which then, of course, become very intense. I think your writing then tends to be very intensified simply because there are other demands which seem equally important.”

Thinking Writing Important Different Seems Political Courses Creativity Activity Demand Intense Rhythm

Author:Wole Soyinka

“I think I'm a very lazy writer and by that I mean that I do not battle, I don't struggle too hard against it. If I have difficulties in the writing, I just go and do other things. I don't feel a compulsion to write.”

Ifs Thinking Feels Writing Mean Hard Struggle Battle Difficulty Lazy Compulsion

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