4. Telephone Conversation - Poetry - Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jun 29
4 min read

Updated: Jun 30

Poet: Wole Soyinka

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Poem (Satirical / Anti-racism)

Summary

Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation is a powerful satirical poem that addresses racism in a subtle yet striking way. The poem is a dramatic monologue in which an African man calls a white landlady to inquire about renting a flat. Everything seems fine until he reveals his identity: “I am African.” The landlady falls silent and then bluntly asks, “Are you dark or very light?” Shocked and embarrassed by this question, the speaker tries to respond with humor and intelligence. He sarcastically compares his skin tone to "milk chocolate" and “West African sepia.” Despite his polite efforts, the landlady's prejudice becomes more obvious as she continues asking about the darkness of his complexion. The speaker ends the conversation with sharp wit, offering to let the landlady "see for herself," highlighting the absurdity of judging people by skin color. Through rich imagery, irony, and biting humor, Soyinka criticizes the casual racism that exists in society, especially in so-called “polite” conversations. The poem exposes how even everyday interactions can be full of deep prejudice and injustice.

Character Sketch

Speaker (African man):

He is intelligent, polite, and humorous. Despite facing a racist question, he responds with wit and dignity. His sarcasm and calm tone reveal both his frustration and strength in handling prejudice.

Landlady:

She represents racial bias and ignorance. Though initially polite, her true discriminatory thoughts emerge as she obsessively questions the speaker’s skin color, showing superficial concern masked as etiquette.

Themes

Theme	Description
Racial Discrimination	The poem addresses everyday racism, especially how people are judged based on skin color.
Irony and Satire	Through sharp wit and sarcasm, the poet exposes the absurdity of racial prejudice.
Communication and Misunderstanding	The title ironically contrasts with the lack of real understanding in the conversation.
Identity and Dignity	The speaker affirms his identity while maintaining self-respect in the face of insult.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Irony	The polite conversation turns uncomfortable due to racism, highlighting the contrast.
Imagery	“Red booth, red pillar-box, red double-tiered omnibus” paints a vivid city scene.
Satire	The speaker’s witty replies mock the landlady’s ignorance without losing composure.
Enjambment	Many lines flow into each other, mimicking the natural pace of a real conversation.
Capitalization	Words like “HOW DARK?” emphasize the landlady’s blunt and uncomfortable tone.
Symbolism	Colours like “sepia,” “raven black,” “peroxide blonde” symbolize racial obsession.

Title Justification

The title Telephone Conversation may seem ordinary but is deeply ironic. A telephone conversation is meant to connect people through words, yet here, it highlights division, misunderstanding, and racial bias. The exchange between the African man and the white landlady becomes a painful reflection of how prejudice seeps into even the simplest interactions. The title draws attention to how racism can hide behind polite voices and casual questions. Thus, it perfectly encapsulates the theme and setting of the poem.

One-Mark Questions

What is the central issue in the poem?
The poem highlights racial discrimination and how people of color are judged based on their skin tone. It critiques prejudice hidden behind everyday conversations.
What causes the silence from the landlady after the speaker says he is African?The silence represents the landlady’s discomfort or hesitation upon hearing the speaker’s race. It exposes her hidden bias.
How does the speaker describe his complexion humorously?
He uses sarcastic comparisons like “milk chocolate,” “West African sepia,” and “raven black.” This mocks the landlady’s obsession with skin color.
Why are some words in capital letters in the poem?
Capitalization is used to show the landlady’s loud, awkward, and rude interruptions. It emphasizes her discomfort and insensitivity.
What does “Wouldn’t you rather see for yourself?” imply?
This final line sarcastically challenges the landlady’s prejudice. It shows the speaker’s frustration and invites her to confront her assumptions directly.

Three-Mark Questions

How is color used symbolically in the poem?
Color is central to the poem's theme of racial discrimination. The landlady’s main concern is the speaker’s skin tone, which she tries to define in shades. The speaker uses color humorously, referring to “milk chocolate,” “sepia,” “raven black,” and even “peroxide blonde” for his palms and soles. These references show how skin color becomes a shallow, even ridiculous measure of worth. The vivid use of color exposes society’s obsession with race.
How does the poet use humor and sarcasm in the poem?
Wole Soyinka masterfully uses humor to expose racism. The speaker remains calm and witty, even when insulted. He mocks the landlady’s ignorance with clever comparisons, turning her blunt questions into jokes. This sarcastic tone protects his dignity and also criticizes the absurdity of racial judgment. Humor here becomes a tool for protest.
Explain the significance of the setting in the poem.
The setting—a public telephone booth—emphasizes how common and casual such racist encounters are. Descriptions like “red booth,” “red pillar-box,” and “double-tiered omnibus” place the poem in a realistic urban scene. The speaker is isolated, both physically and emotionally, inside the booth. The public space contrasts with the private nature of the racist exchange. This setting amplifies the irony and tension in the poem.

Value-Based Question

What does this poem teach us about prejudice and how to respond to it?

The poem teaches us that prejudice often appears in everyday situations and can be masked by politeness. It shows how people are unfairly judged by race or appearance. However, the speaker’s response teaches us the power of intelligence, dignity, and humor. Instead of reacting with anger, he uses wit to expose the ignorance of the other person. The poem encourages us to stand against discrimination and to uphold respect and understanding in communication.

End

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