The haves, the have nots and class politics in Esiaba Irobi’s <i>Cemetery Road</i> and <i>Nwokedi</i>

Abstract

Class politics has been an age long reality in most nations of the world. There is a constant struggle for power and relevance between the different social classes. Africa most strikingly has just two major classes; the 'the haves' and the 'have nots'. This research was geared out to understudy the dimension of the relationship between social classes in Esiaba Irobi‘s Cemetary Road and Nwokedi. The researcher used the qualitative research method and resorted to the case study approach in the gathering and analysis of his data. The findings show that class relationship, as portrayed in the two plays, is marked by tensions and oppressions as the wealthy and powerful class feed off the rest of society and exploit them perpetually. This obnoxious culture, however, ought to be reversed via a radical approach aimed at unseating the oppressive wealthy class so as to enthrone equality and justice in the social realm. Thus, the two plays represent an attempt to deploy drama as an instrument of highlighting social inequality and oppression and projecting an ideology of reform and social justice.

Keywords: Haves, Have nots, Class Politics