Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Ahmed Yerima's Wedlock of the Gods has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of Wedlock of the Gods tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with satire as a stylistic device in service of cultural identity receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Ahmed Yerima's Wedlock of the Gods is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its satire functions specifically in relation to cultural identity. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of satire in Ahmed Yerima's Wedlock of the Gods.
2. To analyze how satire contributes to the portrayal of cultural identity.
3. To assess the effectiveness of satire as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
4. To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How is satire used in Ahmed Yerima's Wedlock of the Gods?
2. In what ways does satire contribute to the portrayal of cultural identity?
3. How effective is satire as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
4. How does this reading relate to the broader body of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to students and teachers of theatre arts, offering a close reading of Ahmed Yerima's Wedlock of the Gods that can support classroom discussion and further critical work. It also contributes to the broader body of scholarship on Nigerian literary and linguistic studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to a close textual analysis of satire within Wedlock of the Gods, reflecting a MSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.