Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Zulu Sofola's The Raft has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Despite the volume of criticism devoted to The Raft, its use of satire in relation to tradition versus modernity has not been exhaustively examined, leaving room for closer textual analysis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Zulu Sofola's The Raft is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its satire functions specifically in relation to tradition versus modernity. 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 Zulu Sofola's The Raft.
2. To analyze how satire contributes to the portrayal of tradition versus modernity.
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 Zulu Sofola's The Raft?
2. In what ways does satire contribute to the portrayal of tradition versus modernity?
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 Zulu Sofola's The Raft 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 The Raft, reflecting a MSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.