A roadside shack in a church corner is filled with a ragged fence and a lopsided waggon with the inscription “AKSIDENT STORE-ALL PART AVAILEBUL.” Samson, a young man, watches Murano wash his face and watches him. As the tower clock strikes five, Samson tries to follow Murano but gives up. He sees others sleeping peacefully and flings a tin mug in the air.
Salubi, wakes up at six o’clock every morning, regardless of when he goes to sleep. Salubi is getting ready for work as a chauffeur and is confronted by his friend, Samson, who mocks him for using a second-hand uniform. Samson criticizes Salubi for not having a job but buying a uniform, and Salubi defends himself by saying he wants to make a good impression on potential employers. The two friends argue about their respective occupations, with Samson calling Salubi a “dirty pig” and Salubi insulting Samson’s job as a conductor on a bus. Salubi expresses his desire to obtain a driver’s license and suggests asking a professor to forge one for him. Samson mocks Salubi’s attempts to get a license without a job and suggests he should hang himself instead. The conversation shifts to discussing a mysterious Professor who may have hidden wealth. Salubi and Samson fantasize about what they would do if they were millionaires, with Salubi wanting to marry multiple wives and Samson wanting to buy all the transport lorries in the country. They continue to insult each other, with Samson belittling Salubi’s abilities and Salubi defending himself. Samson masquerades to be the millionaire, sitting at the Professor’s table and imagining a line of police officers waiting for their tips.
Salubi has a desire to bribe police officers, and his humorous remarks about heaven and hell. Additionally, Samson criticizes Salubi’s hygiene and driving skills. The Professor enters the scene, excited about a mysterious discovery he has made. However, he does not recognize Samson and suspects a trick. Samson denies being one of the Professor’s “habituals.”
The professor mistakes Salubi for someone hiding under the table and becomes defensive. Salubi tries to convince the professor that he made a mistake and missed his way. The professor questions Salubi about his intentions and whether he is there to take the Word from him. Salubi denies wanting the Word and tells the professor he is in the wrong place. The professor asks Salubi if he follows the same path and Salubi denies it, wanting the professor to leave. The professor realizes he is in the wrong place and hurries to leave but asks Salubi if he knows where he is. Salubi tells the professor he is in the wrong place and that he owns the place and is a millionaire. The professor becomes confused but continues to talk to Salubi, recognizing him as a coast-to-coast driver. Salubi reveals that he employed the professor earlier but the professor must have changed his mind. The professor insists on taking Salubi with him, but Salubi signals Kotonu to get the professor out. Kotonu agrees to go with the professor, and Salubi warns Samson about Kotonu’s true intentions. The professor talks about his quest for the Word and the dangers he faces. Samson and Salubi discuss Kotonu’s business trip and Samson’s disbelief. Salubi reveals that Kotonu has taken over Sergeant Burma’s business of selling decomposing corpses. Samson is shocked and doesn’t believe it, but Salubi insists that Samson will see for himself. Samson worries about Kotonu’s intentions and wonders why he is doing this. Salubi suggests putting everything back before the professor returns, but Samson believes the professor won’t come back. Samson sits down dejectedly, and Salubi comments on his lack of gratitude for escaping the professor’s wrath. Samson blames the professor for his hopes of reforming Kotonu being shattered. Salubi tells Samson not to worry about Kotonu and suggests that Kotonu is aware of the professor’s madness.
The window of the church is suddenly opened, revealing a lectern with a bronze eagle and a large book. Samson listens to the music from the organ that starts playing in the church. Samson talks about how the current organist is not as good as the previous one, who was referred to as “Professor.”
Samson describes how Professor would correct the organist’s mistakes and command respect from the congregation. Samson explains that Professor had a unique style and class, and people would come to watch him during evening service. Samson mentions a fight between Professor and the bishop, but clarifies that it was a duel of gentlemen and not a physical altercation. Samson recounts how the bishop tried to outshine Professor during a sermon, but Professor remained composed and unyielding. Samson explains that the wall of the church collapsed during the duel, but it was due to the excitement of the crowd, not the fight itself. Samson dismisses the idea that Professor stole church funds and warns Salubi not to underestimate Professor’s abilities. Samson reminisces about the intense political atmosphere in the parish and expresses his frustration with his current situation. Salubi plans to find work elsewhere, and Samson laments the absence of his friend’s company. Samson reflects on Kotonu, his absent driver, and his peculiar behavior towards animals.
Kotonu returns with various items, including motor parts, an old shoe, and a cap, and goes into a hidden entrance of the mammy-waggonstall. Samson gets angry at the lay-about singing a song at that time of the morning and tells him to leave. Samson realizes that Kotonu has returned and asks him if he heard what he said. He also asks about the whereabouts of Professor. Kotonu mentions that Professor is wandering the streets and is unsettled due to something that happened at the business. Samson questions Kotonu about his involvement in Sergeant Burma’s business and mentions that Kotonu hasn’t been to war like Burma. Kotonu explains that he is tired of feeling too much and wants to protect himself from the indifference of comrades. The gang outside continues singing lewd verses and mentioning various people who are no longer around. Samson reveals that some of the mentioned people, like Sapele Joe and Sergeant Burma, have had accidents or died. Kotonu compares Professor to Sergeant Burma, mentioning how Professor was focused on replanting a sign-post while ignoring the corpses around him. Chief-in-Town enters and talks to Samson about the motor-park and asks if Samson is one of the boys. Say Tokyo Kid arrives and talks to Chief-in-Town about rounding up ten men for a party meeting. Chief-in-Town gives Say Tokyo Kid a packet of drugs and instructs him to gather the men. Samson compares Kotonu to a spider and suggests that Kotonu could become a thug for Chief-in-Town. Kotonu considers the idea and mentions that at least as a thug, he would see a man’s face before attacking, unlike when he was a driver.
Say Tokyo Kid achieves a certain state and summons his gang using a big drum. They gather in a shack and smoke hemp together. A uniformed policeman named Particulars Joe enters the room and demands their identification. Say Tokyo Kid offers him a stick of weed as a bribe, which Particulars Joe accepts. Say Tokyo Kid expresses his pride and defiance towards authority figures. The conversation shifts to carrying timber, with Say Tokyo Kid emphasizing the importance of high-quality timber and the spirits associated with it. The characters discuss the dangers of carrying different types of loads and the potential consequences of accidents. Say Tokyo Kid expresses his preference for sticking with his own “guy of timber” rather than taking on passengers.Say Tokyo Kid recounts an accident involving a dead woman and emphasizing the importance of loyalty to his own “guy of timber.”
There is mention of a drummer and a slow song with drugged movements. Three men outside the shack are demanding the shop be opened and expressing frustration over the death of Sergeant Burma. Samson and Salubi have a conversation about their respective troubles. Samson warns Salubi about bringing stockfish into the shop. Samson and Kotonu discuss their past and present situations, including Kotonu’s desire to become a shopkeeper and Samson’s frustration with this decision.
The Professor enters the church cautiously and examines the walls for signs of weakening. Samson admires the Professor’s talent for driving and asks for his opinion on a delicate matter. The Professor agrees to give his opinion after being offered money and warns Samson about the risks of seeking advice from spirits. Samson explains that his friend, Kotonu, no longer wants to be a driver and is considering retirement. The Professor suggests increasing Kotonu’s salary and questions the lack of a pension for drivers. Samson argues that Kotonu’s identity is tied to being a driver and that he should not retire. The Professor questions Samson’s burial of money in a churchyard and discusses the power of the Word. Salubi enters and asks the Professor for a driving license urgently, but the Professor refuses and curses him. Samson and Kotonu plead with the Professor to reconsider, but he remains focused on his papers.
The conversation between Samson and Salubi revolves around the phrase “Never say die,” emphasizing resilience and determination. Professor is a character who holds power and authority, and Salubi seeks his forgiveness. Salubi is desperate to obtain his driving license and is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Professor. Murano is mentioned as someone important, and Professor believes that he holds the key to the Word. The Word is a mysterious concept that seems to hold great significance to Professor and others. Samson is concerned about Kotonu giving up driving and seeks Professor’s help to convince him otherwise. Professor contemplates forging documents and mentions his declining abilities. Professor believes that Kotonu will never drive again and that he has been touched in a profound way. Samson shares stories about Kotonu’s father, who was a truck-pusher and had many adventures with women.
The characters, including Kotonu, Samson, and the Professor, are discussing Kotonu’s deceased father and his truck. Kotonu’s father died before Kotonu became a driver, and the truck was the only thing he left behind. The group reminisces about a past incident where they were pulling the truck and it was loaded with stockfish, resulting in a tragic accident. The Professor is preoccupied with his work and dismisses the concerns of Samson and the others. A funeral procession passes by, and the Professor contemplates preaching a sermon for the occasion. The Professor expresses disappointment that none of the characters are among the deceased. Samson and Kotonu leave, while Murano hides from Salubi, who suspects someone is inside the store. Murano and Salubi engage in a struggle, and the Professor offers to help Salubi if he promises not to recognize Murano. Salubi agrees, and Murano is released while Salubi walks towards the Professor.
Wole Soyinka The Road Summary Part II
Wole Soyinka The Road as a Post-Colonial Play
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