Theatre Arts · BSc · REF. TA-2036

Gender Roles in Wole Soyinka's Once Upon Four Robbers

Abstract

This BSc study investigates the subject matter outlined in the title above through a structured research design appropriate to the BSc level. Using primary and/or secondary data collection methods, the research examines the underlying variables, tests relevant hypotheses, and presents findings with implications for practice and policy. This is placeholder abstract text generated for catalogue preview purposes; the full document contains a complete, topic-specific abstract, literature review, methodology, data analysis, and conclusion.

Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Wole Soyinka's Once Upon Four Robbers has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of Once Upon Four Robbers tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with ritual performance elements as a stylistic device in service of gender roles receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Wole Soyinka's Once Upon Four Robbers is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its ritual performance elements functions specifically in relation to gender roles. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To examine the use of ritual performance elements in Wole Soyinka's Once Upon Four Robbers.
To analyze how ritual performance elements contributes to the portrayal of gender roles.
To assess the effectiveness of ritual performance elements as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

How is ritual performance elements used in Wole Soyinka's Once Upon Four Robbers?
In what ways does ritual performance elements contribute to the portrayal of gender roles?
How effective is ritual performance elements as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
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 Wole Soyinka's Once Upon Four Robbers 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 ritual performance elements within Once Upon Four Robbers, reflecting a BSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.

Chapters Two through Five, references and appendices are available for a one-time fee of ₦50,000.

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