One of the biggest themes in the play is that of tradition versus modernization. The characters all react to each other in relation to this central theme. Modernity, or the modernization of village life, is something that Bale Baroka has been fighting against for some time. The Bale sees progress as an encroachment upon his traditional role as village leader. He scoffs, for instance, at the fact that his workers have joined a union and now demand time off. He gives in to this modern notion, though he dislikes it. Baroka also tricks men from the outside world into not building a railroad line through Ilujinle. Lakunle laments the fact that this railroad line would have brought Ilujinle into modern times, thus securing it a place in the progressive world.

Lakunle is an example of a village inhabitant who desires change. He has adopted the clothing of Westerners and their ideals for modernity. Lakunle is made fun of by the villagers for his mannerisms but is undeterred. He wants nothing more than for Ilujinle to modernize like Lagos and foreign cities. One of the main reasons that Lakunle wants the villagers to think in modern terms is because he wants

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