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About the Author
Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) was a novelist, poet, professor at
Brown University and critic. He is best known for his first novel, Things Fall
Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature.
Raised by his parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in
southeastern Nigeria, Achebe excelled
at school and won a scholarship to study medicine, but changed his studies to
English literature at University College (now the University of Ibadan). He became
fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures, and began
writing stories as a university student.
After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) and soon moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained
worldwide attention for his novel Things Fall Apart in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at
Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987).
Achebe wrote his novels in English and defended the use of English, a
"language of colonisers", in African literature. In 1975, his lecture
"An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart
of Darkness" featured a
criticism of Joseph Conradas "a
thoroughgoing racist"; it was later published in The Massachusetts Review amid some
controversy.
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| Chinua Achebe |
Synopsis of the Novel
Chinua Achebe’s fourth novel, “A Man of The People”, is a book of political,
social, economic and moral contrasts. Written in first person, the books
invites readers to experience the flow of emotions, fears, tensions, suspense
and the pain that Odili, the main character in the book, undergoes.
A man of the people is a novel reflect most of African Countries after independence where by Most of the leaders show Moral decay to their citizens.
Through the central
character (Chief Nanga) Leaders are reflected as corrupt people. As we see
through the Novel Chief Nanga posses luxurious cars and owns Mansions. Chief
Nanga as minister for culture he misuses the public funds for his benefits
This shows dishonest of some leaders and how they secure a
position in the government.
Not only leaders but also the author wants to show how citizens
are blinded by their leaders pretending that they are good to them while they
are not. The narrator tells us that the Anata grammar school hall was full of
the villagers waiting for the Honorouble Minister chief Mirah A. Nanga to
address This is an obstacle to the few people like Odili who have come to
realize that chief Nanga is not a good leader a he stands for the bad decision
made by the PM believing that only by doing so he will secure his position in
the government.
Also author shows us that in African countries privileged people
continue to exploit unprivileged people. This is through Josiah who possess a
shop and a bar exploit his customer by selling his commodities at a higher
price. A gain he steal Anzages stock for the purpose of getting richer.
Together with the
central theme, the author shows minor themes like ignorance. Conflicts,
poverty, protect, Betrayal, Nepolism, immorality, Irresponsibility. Cultural
imperidom sacrifice etc.
Here the author wants to make us aware that we need to fight against corruption as it is the obstacle of development to the society.
I) FORM
The title
The title A man of the peoples is a
satarical/ironical title as Chinua Achebe wants to tell us that a man they
consider as a man of the people is not because of some of the features we
observe from him (Chief Nanga) e.g. Being womeniza helping Edina for the self
interest, using public funds for personal benefits, being nepotist. Etc.
The setting
A man of the peoples an immaginary
novel (fictional novel) as Chinua Achebe uses immaginary towns like Bori and
villages like Urua and Anata. Though students do belive that the setting of
novel is Nigeria, appart from the pidgin used in the novel we don’t have any
other due that support us when making such a generalization. It is obvious that
all other works of C. Achebe set in Nigeria but this is different in the novel
“A man of the people” where he uses immaginary setting so as to be in a safe
side regarding issues he rises in his novel as they direct tovel the
government.
The plot
This refers to the arrangement of
events in the novel Chinua Achebe uses chronological plot as he starts at the
beginning to the end. The novel has thirteen chapters – in chapter one the
narrator introducethe honorable Minister Chief Nanga and his visit to Anata
Grammar school. In chapter two chief Nanga invite Odili to visit Born. In
Chapter three Odili visit his home village urua before making a long journey to
the capital. Odili describes Ezekiahs family and in this chapter we see Odilin
Chief Nanga’s empire. Odili Explains that living with Chief Nanga makes him and
know manythings which many people do not know. Odili is supprised because chief
Nangas house as seven bathrooms each with WC.
Chapter five, Odili and Nanga are
invited by Jean and John to a part on Saturday. We see Odili and Jean exchange
ideas. Chapter six Odili explains the relationship between him and Elsie and
the book Exhibition.
In chapter seven, Chief Nanga as a
politician, the visit of the editor Julio, also the love affair between Nanga
and Elsie, Odili become fusions with Elsie behaviour Odili leaves Chief Nangas
home and go to his friend Maxwell. Chapter eight At Maxwell’s home Odili
recalls the previous wents about betral of Elsie. Odili and Maxwell discuss
about their new political party CPC(Common People Conversion).
In Chapter nine, is about the
discussion of Josiah as an exploitation, we are also told about the blind
begger (Azoge) defined as a thief in the name of trade. Odili meets Edna on
their way to the hospital to see Edna’s mother they get a bicycle accident.
Chapter ten Christians at Anata village Odili convices Edina not to be the
second wife of Nanga. Odili tells many student who come have come back to anata
spend christimas, they are found of western culture. Odili announces to contest
against chief Nanga hence he is hated by everyday. Chapter eleven, Odili
receives a letter from Edina, Odili enters the danger game of politics, Chief
Nanga tries tto bribe Odili he offers Odili a scholarship so that Odili can
leave the bad game of politics, Odili denid the offer .
Chapter twelve. Odili’s father welcome
CPC members in his hence, Maxwell receives corruption from chief Koko. Odili’s
father condemns Odili for rejecting the offers campaign starts.
Chapter thirteen, Odili attends the
Nanga’s campaign meeting chief Nanga beats Odili and Odili is taken to the
hospital. We are informed the death of Maxwell Edna visits Odili in the
hospital, Eunice shoots chief Koko, the Army takes over the government. Edna
marries Odili.
Though the plot is chnological this
does not hinder C. Achebe to use flashback as we see in chapter one Odili takes
us away back in 1948 where he tells us that chief Nanga was his teacher in
standard 3 and how he become a minister in 1960 after supporting the firing of
Dr Makete and other ministers.
Also we see the flashback in Pg. 28-29
Odili tells us how he was chased away by his friend’s father just because of
the hatrage that Ezekiah samalu had to the people. It is in this pg. That we
get to know who is Ezekiah samalu.
Style of the Novel.
This novel “A man of the people” is
well developed in style as we read the novel we find that in narrating the
story the authory uses all persons but 1st person singular is dominant. The
author use Odili to narrate the story of Chief Nanga. In chapter one we see how
Odili starts to narrate the story using the first person point of view
“................................. I have to admit this .................... I
was teaching at the time ..................... I took one
look......................... I couldn’t remember when I last ........... Pg 1
Also the author use another genne in a
none for instance the author uses poems in the novel
“it is the time to spread the news
abroad
That we are well prepared
To tie ourselves with silvery chord
...............................” Pg 22
He also uses songs (i) Pg 122 & Pg
80
“Hip, hip – hip -,
For they and jolly good fellows
For they and jolly good fellows
.............”
Again me see the use of letters in Pg
10 and Pg 133
Likewise the author use stroy telling
in chapter one Odili takes us way back in 1948 and tells us the story of Nanga.
Also in the same chapter when he was chased away by his friend’s father. Also
in Pg. 96 the gives the story of the group of dancers. Also in Pg 106
Language use:
Generally the Language in “A man of the
people” is understood but it is a bit difficulty to say whether the Lg is
complex or simple, such kind of generalization can base on an individual
reader.
The author use pidgin in some
incidences intentionally so as to make cleara distinction between characters
basing on education Chinua Achebe use pidgin to distinguish two classes in the
society ie the schooled and unschool people where by educated people use the
standard Language while the uneducated people. Use nonstandard Language
(Pidgin). Eg. –“Why I go kill my master?....................... I de eraze why
I no go go jump for insider lagoon instead to kill my master?” “Pg said tge
cook in pg 34. Another pidgin in Pg 14 and 15 after the ministers speech. Also
in pg 31 by gate keeper.
He also use American diatect.
Eg............. But at the same time we have gotten somewhere” In British
English we don’t have such past participle. This is in Pg 44 where Odili was
making conversation with John the husband of Jean, these are the a parties who
are advising their government on how to improve public image in America.
Together with this we have different
figure of speech that accompany Language Use in the novel
Similes:
Similes:
- District officer was like the supreme deity”
and the interpreter the principal minor god who carried prayers and
sacrificed to him says Odili Pg. 28
- His huge body was quivering like jelly
- Chief Koko’s cook quivered as he was brought by the cowboy to answer to why he
put poison to bis boss’s coffee. Pg. 34
> “.......... the towel as lager as a alapa” Pg
37
> “................. looking as fresh as a newly
–hatched chick..........” Pg. 43
> “He turned on are then like an incised
leopard” Pg 73 said Odili
> “You are eating all the hills like yam” Pg 93
Sayings:
- “Do the right and shame the Devil” Pg 11.
Means that one should be honest to others and od things according to ten
commandments.
- “Kick the bucket” – to die “I nearly kicked
the bucket, Pg 25 this shows the way Odili and Elsie was very close.
- Pooring a little water into a dried up well”
said by Odili when she remembered her died mother hence he says giving
thing to his father is nothing as he used to have more than that Pg. 27
- “When one slave sees another cost into a
shallow grave he should know that when the time comes he will go the same
way Pg 35-36 quesed Odili that the fear of Chief Nanga is not the safet of
chief Koko rather himself
- “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”
said Elsie in Pg 61. She comes to say this after Nanga says that being a
Ministers is like to welcome problems.
- “Man no fit fight tiger with empty hand” Said
Boniface Pg. 113 –Means one should be full equiped when fighting for 5th
- “He that knows not and knows not that he knows
not is a fool” Pg 117
- You have lost the sky and the ground Pg 120
samalu tells Odili.
- A man of worth never gets up to unsay what he
said yesterday Pg. 135 samalu tells Odili.
Symbolism:
- Azoge the blind begger- stands for the people
in the society who are blind hence can not see the evils done by their
leaders like corruption, misure of government resources etc
These people are poor hence are exploited cheated easily
- Azoge stick – This symbolize the remaining
wealth for the poor people. That means it is the only resource that poor
and blind people are left with. Because of the blindness these people do
not make effective use of it hence the preveleged ones want it so as to
increase their wealth.
- Cadillac in the novel stands for wealth
- Gun is a symbol of power.
- Love making in the represent trouble instead
of pleasure
- The journey to the hospital on bicycle stands
for struggle.
- The refusal of the villagers to buy commodities
to Josiah’s investment is a symbol of unity.
Irony:
The title of the book
- “Teaching is a very noble profession” in Pg. 9
by Chief Nanga is an ironic expression as he means the opposite
- “I can swear to God that I am not as happy as
when I was a teacher” The opposite is true. Pg 9.
- “If someone wants to make you a minister run
away” The opposite of this is true Pg 36
Biblical language:
“A voice was heard in Ramah
Weeping and great limitation
Rachel weeping for her children
And she will not be comforted,
because they are not Pg. 81 (Merthew 2:18)
Satire:
- Chief Nanga tells Odili that he
can bring him six girls and Odili will have sex with them fill he gets tired
Pg. 72
“If you like I am bring you six
girls this evening”
- Chief Nanga says Julio has
composed a song instead of a book
“I know Mr. Julio himself his
composed a brillant song called ....... erm ........... what is it called
again?” Pg 63
Chief Nanga prones that he does
not know the meaning of book exhibition
“Book exhibition? Asked Elsie How
they de make that one again? My sister, make you de ask them for me- O Pg 61
Chief koko realizes that the
coffee was not poisonous Chief Nanga starts tearing him.
“But S.I you to fear death
......................” Pg. 35
CHARACTER CHARACTERISATION
1. Chief Nanga
- He was a teacher later a minister for culture
- He is corrupt, he receives bribes from
different British companies
- He tries to bride Odili, he uses his possition
to influence things
- He represents African leaders who are immoral
ie. Adulterer Womalizer and sexmaniac
- He uses his money and position to oppress and
humiliates women e.g Edina
- He lives a luxury life.
- He is a standard six graduate, he does not fit
to be a minister
- He is unfaithful husband as he is having
sexual relationship with different women
2. Odili Samalu
- He is the narrator of the story
- An educated
- He represent African intellectuals after
independence
- He is enxious to educate the mass about the
evils of the leaders but people are not ready
- He hates corruption
- He is a teacher at Anata Grammar school
- He joins politics because he want to revange
chief Nanga.
- He has honest love for Edna
- He has weakness towards women (sexist)
- Politically, he represent people have
progressive mind and desire for change.
3. Maxwell Kulamo:
- He is lawyer and a poet
- He is one of the founder of CPC
- He was killed by chief Koko
- He wants to contest chief Koko’s position
Chief Koko bribes him but Maxwell does not withdraw from contesting chief
Koko’s position but later on he ends up being killed.
- He also represents progressive intellecturals
in independent african states
- He meets the qualifications of being “A man of
hte people”
- After the coup detat the new government
declare him a hero.
4. Ezekiah Samalu
- He is Odili’s father
- He is a polygamist, he has five wives and
thirty five children
- A district interpreter during colonial period
- Local chairman of P.O.P
- He invites Odili's friends from the opposition
part O.P.O in his house and allows them to start compaigning.
- He is corrupt, he blames Odili for rejecting
chief Nangas bribe.Edna Oda
5. Edna Odo
- An educated (chief Nanga sponsored her
believing that he will marry her) Edna lamented but she didn’t succed
- Come from poor family
- She represents girls who loose their freedom
and surrender themselves to men because of poverty
- She is sympathy as she went to see Odili to
the hospital after being beaten by chief Nanga’s thugs.
- She married to Odili after being realized that
chief Nanga is not her right choice
6. Eunice:
- She is a lawyer
- She is Maxwell’s fiancee
- She is a member of C.P.C
- She shoots Chief Koko as a vegence
- She has true love
- She was prisoned after killing chief Koko and
she was released after the revolution
- She represents, women who can fight against
evils without considering their sofety
7. Elsie:
- An educated (a trained nurse)
- She is immoral
- She betrays her feanc’ee Ralph by making love
with Odili and chief Nanga
- She is Odilis girlfriend
- She caused conflict between Odili and chief
Nanga
8. Mrs Nanga:
- She is standard six leaver
- She was intelligent but she was forced into
marriage (ie by Chief Nanga)
- She is a traditionalist, she struggled to
maintain her tradition value
- She represents women who are humiliated and
oppressed in the society who are considered as house keepers
9. Azoge:
- He is a begger
- He is having visual imparment (blind)
- He represents poor people who are harrassed by
the previledge one
Other characters include:-
Mr. Mwege Dr. Makinde, Josiah,
Boniface, Jean, John, Mr. Julio, the PM, Odo, Agness etc.
II) CONTENT
1. Corruption.
Through the novel we see how leaders
are corrupt and how they use their little to get what they want, a good example
is chief Nanga who use his position to blind the mass so that they can not see
his evils. Chief Nanga uses his money to sponsor Edna for the purpose of
winning her he tries to bribe Odili so that he can not contenst against him,
also Chief Nanga receives bribes from British companies. Also we see the same
Chief Nanga bribes the journalist so that he can keep on writing things which
are not true or an not be done.
Not only that, but also chief Koko
bribes max as the way of weakening the CPC power. Boniface tells Odili that
they have bribed the police officer and court clerk to cancel their case
Generally chief Nanga has succeded in
this because the majority are ignorant and blind and their silence have paved
the way to this succession
“It is impossible to any society to
proposer under corrupt leadership.”
2. Ignorance:
People of Anata are ignorant as they
have failed to realize how corruption affect them and the nation at large.
Though they encounter problem in their daily life still they don’t take action
against it. We are told that even if some one tries to educate them they are
conservation
Ezekiah Samalu who is a local leader of
P.O.P is not away of what is going on in the party
Edina’s father failure to realize the
trick played by Chief Nanga.
Also we see ignorance among the leaders
and professionals like Elsie who do not know the meaning of book exhibition
Azoge the blind begger failure to
realize the trick played by Josiah proves that people are not even aware with
the simple trick played by privileged people.
“People need to be aware and take
action once they realize something bad”
“Ignorance lead to blindness”
3. Poverty
This is the state of being unable to
get basic needs. A good example of this is Azoge the blind bigger who earn his
living by begging. Edna’s family who are very poor chence Edna sacrifice his
body to chief Nanga so that she can get education as her parents have failed to
educate her. (to take her to school) Edna’s father want his daughter to be
married by chief Nanga so that she could get wealthy
Also when Edna and Odili was on the way
to the hospital they get an accident and the food was poured down, Edna cried
claming that her mother to buy another food.
All these shows the sign of poverty
Chief Nanga’s brother says he is poor
innocent. Victim P.I.V he is just enjoying his brother’s bevelage
Likewise Odili’s life as a house boy in
Gillgili all these are the indicator of poverty
“Poverty is an obstack towards
development
4. Self awarenes
In the Novel Achebe shows different
evils done by African leaders. Achebe’s intention is to rise awareness to the
mass so that they can take action against evils in the novel we see the
villagers refuse to buy goods from Josiah as they have realize that Josiah is
exploiting them. Not only that but also we see Odili who has realize that chief
Nanga is not a good leader as he is a corrupt leader he wants to rise awareness
to other.
Not Odili perse also the formation of
CPC is a sign of awareness as the main objective of CPC is to fight against
corruption .
“People need to the aware with what is
taking place in the society”
5. Nepolism
The situation of some one who is having
authority to asist those he/she knows especially those they share tribe.
A good example of this is the
expression we get from the novel that, “No matter what you know but who you
know.
All the favour tht chief Nanga provide
to Odili is becaused he knows him
Also the old man at Urua (after max’s
speech) he says it is the time of Urua people to eat because those of Anata
have eaten already
“We need to discourage nepotism as it
leads to uneven distribution of services”
6. Moral decay
- Being a corrupt leader proves the immorality
of African leaders
- Elsie is also immoral as we do not expect an
African lady to be like that (sexist)
- Chief Nanga shows immorality because as a
leader who is a modal in the society we do not expect to see him the way
he is ie Womenizer of the society
- “Leaders and adults should be front line to
maintain moral of the society”
7. Betrayal
That means going against certain agreement
- In the movel we see Chief Nanga betrays his wife after having
relationship with other women.
- Also the same Chief Nanga betrays his people as he lives luxirious life
while his people are suffering.
- Elsie betrays her ex-boyfriend Ralph after having relationship with
Odili and Nanga
- Agnes betrays her husband after having sex with Nanga
8. Protest
The situation of being against
something in the novel we see the villagers are against Osiah’s behaviour of
exploiting them.
- Odili is against his father’s behaviour
of marring many wives hence many children. Who can not be able to take care of
them.
- Odili is protesting Chief Nanga’s bad
behaviour hence he decides to go and live with his friend Maxwell.
“People should protest against bad
things”
VIDEO - A Man of the People
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