Open AccessTHE QUEST FOR HAPPINESS IN WOLE SOYINKA�S THE TRIALS OF BROTHER JERO
Author(s) -
Christine Osae
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
indonesian efl journal/indonesian efl journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2541-3635
pISSN - 2252-7427
DOI - 10.25134/ieflj.v2i1.633
Subject(s) - happiness , brother , conviction , virtue , relation (database) , doctrine , psychology , aesthetics , social psychology , philosophy , law , epistemology , political science , computer science , theology , database
In pursuit of happiness, humans have indulged in atrocious acts and lost the moral membrane, perhaps with a conviction that they can find fulfillment. Literature, being a mirror of the society, is the best medium to help in correction of these wrongs. This article is aimed at the analysis of the major fictional characters in Soyinkas The Trials of Brother Jero to reveal their daily struggles in search of happiness. A textual analysis in relation to Aristotles doctrine of happiness leads to a conclusion that Soyinka has successfully created lifelike characters whose struggles in life are relatable yet unproductive as far as the quest for happiness is concerned.Keywords: virtue, golden mean, happiness, fulfillment