DRAMA AS A PANACEA FOR CURBING SOCIAL ILLS IN THE SOCIETY: AN INTERPRETATION OF ABE AABO WRITTEN BY AKINWUNMI ISOLA

Abstract

Lying, corruption and fornication are some of the social ills that are not only common in the public sector but also among the religious leaders. Looking at the society nowadays most people in position of authority and even the spiritual leaders who are expected to direct people aright are the ones misleading the society due to their involvement in negative attitudes. This paper did not only trace the source of indiscipline in the society but also proffered solutions to curb or restrain the incidence of such abnormality, as exemplified in a play ‘Abe Aabo’ written by Akinwunmi Isola. The paper adopts sociological theory as postulated by Karl Marx and his followers. The findings of the study reveal the theme of lying, fornication and corruption as the causes of indiscipline in Akinwunmi’s play titled “Abe Aabo†(Under Refuge). The study reveals the tricks used by the religious leaders to perpetually oppress the members of their congregation. The major findings of the work include: truth and fairness as tools to free the society from the claws of the corrupt religious leaders. Moreover, instead of taking negative steps against the evil perpetrators, the society can engage them in mutual dialogue to stop their evils acts. The paper therefore concludes that unless the under privileged in the society rise to fight corruption, fornication etc., the perpetrators would continue to dominate the scene. Literature especially drama is recommended as a tool to challenge the corrupt religious leaders.