ABSTRACT
The choice of Marxian tenets alongside literature in this research is based on its pragmatic approach in depicting human struggles in a class-oppressed society, since literature itself is a mirror of society, using a specialized language. This theory is wholly or partially adopted by African playwright like; Soyinka and others, with the aim of projecting the causes and impact of the oppressed in the society, and to situate contexts of oppression. Soyinka identifies and critiques elements. This study therefore, attempted a Marxian interpretation of exploitation, alienation and other indices of oppression in the selected play. Art is thus, seen as the life blood of a community which encapsulates their world view ethical and moral standards. Art thus, becomes the means by which the ideology of the community is expressed. The aim of this project therefore, is to analyze the aesthetics and Ideology in the Beautification of Area Boy.
Wole Soyinka has been rated as a man of commendable style. The parlance, “The man and the style” has become axiomatic in his literary writings. Soyinka has attained full relevance in the philosophy of his art and style. Cursory readers accuse him of being metaphysical and difficult because they approach literature without the basic linguistic orientation in stylistics. However, what has won him accolades, distinction and, of course, the prestigious Nobel Prize in literature has been his rich description, elaborate scenes and fascinating characters which we shall exemplify in this study using The Beatification of Area Boy, and the other Soyinka’s plays treated in this work The Strong Breed. In this, Wole Soyinka in his super state style and solid plots has contributed to the growth of the English language. Aesthetics and ideology has been approached from several perspectives that have yielded diverse postulations on the relevance of an ideological content in aesthetic considerations of artistic creations.
