English

Literature
Project

Submitted by: Bebia Elsa Cherian

Class: ISC 2D

UID: 8204865
 Certificate

This is to certify that Bebia Elsa Cherian of class ISC 2D has

successfully completed the project work of English Literature
on the topic “How does 'Telephone Conversation' explore the
theme of racial prejudice through the interaction between
the speaker and the landlady, and what does this reveal
about societal attitudes toward race?” under my supervision.

Internal Examiner External Examiner

 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my

teacher as well as our principal who gave me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project which helped me in
doing a lot of research through which I came to know about
many new things. Secondly I would like thank my parents and
friends who helped me in finalizing the project within the
limited time frame.
 Contents
1. Topic
2. Introduction
Summary of the poem

Reason for choosing the topic

Some literary elements used in the poem

3. Themes of the poem

Prejudice based on colour and race

Psychological impact of prejudice

Power dynamics

Societal attitudes towards race

4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
 Topic
How does 'Telephone Conversation' explore
the theme of racial prejudice through the
interaction between the speaker and the
landlady, and what does this reveal about
societal attitudes toward race?
 Introduction
Summary of the poem:
Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation is a satirical poem
that explores racial prejudice through a dialogue between a
Black man and a white landlady. The speaker, seeking to rent
an apartment, faces an intrusive question about his skin
colour: “Are you light or very dark?” His witty, ironic
responses expose the absurdity and cruelty of racism. The
poem highlights how everyday interactions can be laced with
discrimination, revealing society’s obsession with race and
superficial judgments. Through sharp language and biting
humour, Soyinka critiques the dehumanizing effects of
prejudice and affirms the speaker’s dignity in the face of
ignorance and bias.

Reason for choosing this topic:

I have chosen this topic as this poem, Telephone
Conversation, brings to light how racial prejudices are
covertly practised by many people in society. The
conversation between the man and the lady skilfully brings
forth the theme of the poem, racism. I would like to use this
opportunity to explore and learn more about the themes in
this poem, the psychological impact on the victim, the power
dynamics and societal attitudes towards race.
Some literary elements used in the poem:
Irony:
The central literary device is irony, where the speaker
sarcastically turns the landlady's racist questions back on
her. For example, the speaker's self-description using shades
of colour, such as "West African sepia" and the later
"peroxide blonde," satirizes the landlady's absurd inquiries.

Satire:
Soyinka uses satire to expose and ridicule the ignorance of
racial prejudice. The landlady’s obsession with skin colour is
portrayed as laughably irrational, turning her into a
caricature of societal racism.

Dialogue:
The entire poem is structured as a conversation, which
makes the racism feel immediate and personal. The speaker’s
calm tone contrasts with the landlady’s awkward and
offensive questions, highlighting the power imbalance.

Allusion:
The poem subtly alludes to post-colonial tensions and the
legacy of imperialism in Britain. It reflects the broader
societal struggle for racial equality during the mid-20th
century.
 Themes of the poem
Prejudice based on colour and race:
The speaker, a Black man, calls a white landlady to inquire
about renting an apartment. The man is aware of the racial
discrimination prevalent in society and therefore, considers
having a telephone conversation a better prospect to visiting
the premises. He decides to reveal his racial identity at the
very onset of his conversation. He makes a ‘self-confession’.
Here the man sounds ironical, as the word confession is
generally used with the revelation of something illegal. He
knows that being from Africa reduces the prospects of his
renting an apartment belonging to a white lady.
The landlady does not reveal her dislike initially. The poet
then uses imagery to showcase that the landlady belongs to a
higher social strata. Initially, the conversation is polite and
formal.
However, the tone shifts dramatically when the landlady
asks, “How dark are you?” This question is not just
inappropriate; it’s a direct reflection of her racial prejudice.
She’s not concerned with the speaker’s character, financial
reliability, or behaviour; instead, she fixates on his skin
colour, implying that his degree of “darkness” will determine
his acceptability as a tenant. This moment encapsulates the
poem’s central theme: racial prejudice based on skin colour,
where superficial traits are used to judge a person’s worth.
The question turns out to be quite devastating for him as he
can clearly see the racism. The lady is prejudiced that people
having a lighter skin are superior to those with darker skin.
Therefore, he feels disgusted with the unexpected series of
questions. The sudden change in the tone of landlady clearly
reflects her coldness and apathy towards the people
belonging to a specific race.
Soyinka arms the speaker with wit and irony, turning the
landlady’s offensive question into a satirical spectacle. The
speaker responds with exaggerated precision—“West African
sepia”—and even jokes that his palms and soles are white.
These responses mock the absurdity of racial categorization
and highlight the irrationality of the landlady’s concern. By
using humour, the speaker maintains his dignity and subtly
undermines the landlady’s authority. Soyinka’s satire doesn’t
just entertain—it exposes the ridiculousness of racism and
forces readers to confront how prejudice operates under the
guise of politeness.
The lady remains perplexed not wanting to admit her
ignorance. She was confused as she was unable understand
the answer and prefers to remain silent for a while.
Afterwards she could not restrain herself and seeks
clarification from the man. The man replies that it is almost
similar to being a dark brunette. The insensitivity of the lady
now forces the man to give up his façade of politeness and
formality. He knows that the landlady will never be
convinced with his black complexion and senses that she may
slam the receiver at any time. At this crucial juncture, he
makes a desperate attempt to convince her to allow him to
come so that she can see for herself.
The poem, in a sarcastic tone, brings forth racial hatred and
discrimination based on race and colour of the skim that
permeates in the society. By showcasing the absurdity of all
prejudices, the poem mocks and criticises the psychological
state of the woman, who rejects renting her accommodation
to the man simply because he is of a different race and
colour.

Psychological Impact of Prejudice:

The speaker’s internal monologue reveals the emotional toll
of racism. He anticipates rejection, navigates the
conversation carefully, and ultimately faces silence from the
landlady. This silence is powerful—it represents social
exclusion, the refusal to engage with someone based on race.
The speaker is left unheard, reinforcing the isolation that
prejudice creates.

Power Dynamics:
The landlady holds the power to grant or deny housing, and
her racial bias becomes a gatekeeping tool. This reflects how
racism functions within social hierarchies, where access to
resources is often controlled by those with privilege. The
speaker’s calm, articulate tone contrasts with the landlady’s
fragmented and evasive speech, flipping the expected power
dynamic and revealing her discomfort. Soyinka uses this
interaction to critique not just individual prejudice, but the
systemic nature of racism—how it’s embedded in everyday
decisions and interactions.

Societal attitudes toward race:

Through this interaction, Soyinka reveals the deeply
ingrained societal attitudes toward race. The landlady’s
question reflects a belief that skin colour determines
character and worth. Her discomfort with the speaker’s race
is not based on personal experience but on cultural
stereotypes and prejudices.

The poem also highlights the persistence of racism in

supposedly progressive societies. Set in mid-20th century
Britain—a time of post-colonial migration and racial
tension—the poem captures the contradiction between legal
equality and social hostility. Despite advances in civil rights,
people of colour continued to face discrimination in housing,
employment, and everyday interactions. Soyinka’s poem
reflects this reality, showing how racism continues to shape
lives in subtle and insidious ways.

The speaker’s experience is emblematic of the broader

struggles faced by marginalized communities. His dignity, wit,
and resilience are acts of resistance against a system that
seeks to devalue him. Soyinka’s portrayal of this moment
invites empathy and reflection, urging readers to confront
the realities of racial prejudice and work toward a more just
society.
 Conclusion
Telephone Conversation is more than a poem—it’s a
confrontation with the uncomfortable truths of racial
prejudice. Through sharp dialogue, biting satire, and
emotional nuance, Wole Soyinka exposes how racism
operates in subtle, insidious ways. The speaker’s dignity and
wit become acts of resistance, affirming his humanity in the
face of ignorance. In doing so, Soyinka invites us to reflect,
question, and ultimately reject the prejudices that divide us.
Although the poem reflects the era it was written in, the
issue of racism is still prominent as prejudices based on
colour, race, creed or sex exist in one way or the other.
 Bibliography

Workbook for rhapsody and prism

[Link]