FROM SATIRE TO ALLUSION: (RE) EXAMINING HOTEL DE JORDAN SONGS AS TOOLS AGAINST SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Abstract

Social stratification or Pluralization in society is a phenomenon that is as old as the history of mankind. This, over the years has become a strong societal force present in all aspects of societal dynamics and has left indelible imprint in human psyche. While this has contributed to societal balancing and regulation in some ways, it has however been a factor for disaffection and resentment by those affected by the adverse effect of such Pluralization. It is in this connection that the Hotel de Jordan was conceived and created. The focus of the drama was to mirror the society and expose its attendant ills occasioned by the inherent inequality in it. To effectively carry out this study, interviews, reviews of scripts and the films were done. These were further supported with review of related literature to strengthen the discourse. Good a focus as well as the idea, this paper observes that in spite of the pungent message entailed in the script of the drama, the songs, singing styles of the songs, the costume and make-ups in the drama tended to distract the spectator. It is therefore suggested that in the use of songs as a tool for enlightenment and entertainment, especially through comedy, performing songs comically could rob the drama of not just the message but seriousness of the issues under contestation lest the goal of such drama may be compromised.