Discuss two ironies in the play?

The drama "The Lion and the Jewel" by Wole Soyinka is full of irony, which draws attention to the characters' inconsistencies and complexity as well as the sociocultural setting in which it is situated.

The piece contains two noteworthy ironies:

1.Modernization of Baroka against Traditional Values:Baroka, the Bale (village leader), is presented at the start of the play as an ardent conservative who is against modernization. His seeming opposition to the changes embodied by someone like Lakunle, the youthful educator who promotes modernity and Western concepts, serves to further support this picture.

Truth: It turns out, though, that Baroka is not wholly opposed to modernization. In an unexpected turn of events, Baroka reveals that he has been preparing to set up a machine to produce his own stamps, signifying a calculated embrace of contemporary technology to preserve and even grow his influence and authority. This sarcastic turn reveals Baroka to be more pragmatic and adaptive than previously thought, fusing conventional authority with well chosen contemporary innovations.2.

2Lakunle's Actual Intentions vs. His Modern Ideals: - Presenting himself as a progressive and enlightened figure, Lakunle supports contemporary ideals like gender parity and the rejection of bride prices. He positions himself as Baroka's opposite, decrying the traditions of the hamlet and promoting advancement and knowledge.
Truth: Lakunle appears to be a supporter of contemporary values, but his actual motivations and behaviors paint a different image. His unwillingness to pay Sidi's bride price stems more from his frugal nature and desire to cut costs than from any moral conviction. Furthermore, his patronizing demeanor toward the locals and Sidi herself contradicts his purported egalitarian views. Lakunle's superficial modernism highlights the irony of his persona, which falls short of the principles he claims to uphold despite his critique of tradition.

These ironies are essential to "The Lion and the Jewel" because they highlight the complexity of cultural transformation and the characters' diverse personalities. By employing these ironies, Soyinka subverts the preconceptions of her audience and offers a nuanced analysis of the complex relationship that exists between tradition and modernity in Nigerian society.