INTRODUCTION
A
Man of the People is a novel about Nigeria's halting first steps to form a
post-colonial nation, told by Odili Samalu, a teacher turned politician, who
takes on his former teacher, a now-corrupt member of the cabinet.
Odili
Samalu needs to tell the story of how he leaves the teaching profession in a
small village school and enters partisan politics as the opponent of powerful
man, once his revered teacher. Odili resents having to stand in a reception
line for Chief Nanga, with whom he has grown disillusioned since he called for
the head of the Minister of Finance and denounced Western-influenced
intellectuals. At university, Odili had hoped for a successful career, which
his father, a wealthy and hated retired politician, identifies with government
office. Odili and the old polygamist are currently observing a truce in their
stormy relationship. This paper tries to give a summary analysis of chapters of
the novel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chinua Achebe, a strong voice for African literature, was
born in 1930 in Ogidi. His father was a
Christian evangelist and teacher. Achebe's full name is Albert Chinualumogu
Achebe. He studied broadcasting with the
BBC and received a BA in 1953. Over the
course of his life he has written nearly 300 books and has become a powerful
influence in the Nigerian politics. His
writings are aimed toward a select group of people in Africa, not only those
who can read, but those educated above the basic level, who have enough money
to purchase the book. "Paradoxically
enough, his writings are probably better known outside his own country than in
it." (K.W.J. Post, v) This idea of an "aimed audience"implies
that Achebe wants countries with power and a say in the world to understand the
lives of the people from his part of the world, West Africa.
Chapter 1
Chief
Nanga (Minister of Culture) comes to his hometown (village) of Anata. He is “a man of the people.” Background on his rise to power. He recognizes and remembers Odili, who is a
teacher in the village. He invites him
to come stay within him in the city. The corruption and the politics are
introduced. Would a sensible man “spit out a juicy morsel that good fortune
placed in his mouth.” showing tip of tongue to sky to swear oath?
Chief
M. A. Nanga, M.P., praised as a true "man of the people," comes to be
feted at his hometown grammar school. The Assembly Hall is overflowing as dance
groups and the hunters' guild signal a great event. The narrator, Odili Samalu,
resents such extravagance in inflationary times and wishes people were less
ignorant and cynical and able to see that Nanga is using his position to enrich
himself. In 1948, 16 years ago, a handsome, young Nanga is Odili's beloved
teacher - and Odili is Nanga's favorite pupil. Odili takes pride in Nanga's
early political career, and is active in the student's branch of the People's
Organization Party (POP). In 1960, however, Odili is disillusioned when the POP
government reacts to an economic slump that plays into the hands of its weak
rival, the Progressive Alliance Party (PAP), not by adopting a recovery plan
but by printing
Chapter 2
After
Independence, it is who you know, not what you know that matters, and Odili
cannot lick boots. He teaches in a small private school for the autonomy. It
does not cross his mind to seek help from Nanga in getting a scholarship for
post-graduate work in London. Kadibe made the trip last year and learned much,
just being in Europe. Nanga raises the question himself at the end of the
reception, subtly suggesting Odili spend the holidays with him and meet the
Minister of Overseas Training. In two months, Nanga is going to the U.S. to
receive an honorary doctorate, which will push his eminence past Dr. Mongo
Sego, M.P. Nwege glares at Odili as he takes down Nanga's address and threatens
to tell Nanga about his views.
Background
on Odili and Else, his friend with benefits.
Also meet his friend Andrew.
Odili is firm in his aspirations and his work to keep his actions
‘clean.’ He will not stoop to cronyism
to get the scholarship to London that he desires. There is a universal disdain among
politicians for education abroad, however Nanga still looks forward to his
upcoming honorary law degree from a small college in US. Objectification and
devaluation of women shown in anecdotes.
Chapter 3
Odili
takes Peter to visit their home village, Urua, 15 miles from Anata. Odili has
matters to discuss with his father, Hezekiah Samalu. Odili envies Peter's
enthusiastic gift buying for his own parents. Odili's mother, his father's
second wife, dies giving birth to him, so Odili is considered an unlucky child.
First wife "Mama" raises him and his many stepsiblings on an equal
footing, but Odili feels something is missing. Father is a district
interpreter, a job that makes him a minor god to the people: powerful, wealthy,
and hated. The children grow up knowing the world is full of enemies and
obsequious friends. While in secondary school, Odili is expelled from a
friend's home when his father's identity is revealed. Only when Odili earns a
scholarship to university does he dare stand up to his demanding father, who
currently has five wives and 35 children.
Odili
goes to Nanga’s and is welcomed warmly.
Background on Odili’s father, a district interpreter—a powerful and
hated man with five wives and 35 children.
Odili’s mother died giving birth to him—there’s shame associated with
this. Odili and Nanga visit Chief Koko,
who handles education abroad, but they don’t get a chance to discuss the
scholarship. After independence the value of education
becomes inverted. Proximity to power is
most important. Corruption feeds and multiplies bureaucracy
and vice versa. OHMS, which the elite
don’t use. (Our Home Made Stuff) the gap between power and previous life is so
huge that it feeds corruption
Chapter 4
Odili
dislikes waking early, but Nanga rouses him on his way out to work. Mrs. Nanga
is taking the children to Anata after Christmas, lest they lose touch with
their heritage. Odili is happy about this because it will be less awkward to
bring Elsie to the guest suite. During his brief stay, Odili happily learns
things in government are not as ugly as he has suspected since 1960. He busies
himself browsing in Nanga's library and reading incongruous stories in the
newspaper. One reports new statutes on excrement pails while Odili lives in a
house with seven bathrooms. Most of his life he has used pit latrines, and his
few experiences with pails are so revolting he avoids eating so as not to have
bowel movements. That had been in Giligili, where he had lived as a houseboy
for his half-sister's family.
Mrs.
Nanga gets ready to leave with the children to visit her village, which they do
at least once a year. Americans John and
Jean stop by. Jean flirts shamelessly
with Nanga while her husband highbrows it with Odili. Jean and John work in public relations for
Nigeria in their efforts with the U.S. - Good details about racism and lynching
in the US to contrast with Nigeria’s problems.
Chapter 5
Jean
does not let John's absence on assignment in Abaka interfere with plans for a
dinner with Nanga and Odili. Plans break down when Mrs. Akilo arrives that
evening after an 80-mile drive. The Akilos together practice law. Odili feels
awkward in the presence of this sophisticated woman with whom Nanga doubtless
will have sex tonight. She insists on staying in a hotel rather than Mrs.
Nanga's bedroom, and they arrange to meet for dinner. Nanga is certain Jean
will arrange transportation home for Odili after her party. The dinner is
"nine pence talk and three pence chop." Odili's closeness to Nanga
brings him attention, which makes him loquacious. He prides himself on
correcting an English guest's misunderstanding of an African gesture; he
digresses to note another incident in which he straightens out a French art
critic's scandalous misunderstanding of a religious mask
Odili
goes to Jean’s party and ends up sleeping with her. He finds that he doesn’t really like her but
ask to see her again. For American,
Africans are a novelty, one that they hold apart and distinct from the ‘blacks’
back home. At the dinner party, Odili
has a good time. Nanga never ends up
going because Mrs. Akilo arrives at his home—we find out later that he sleeps
with her. Shaking the fist is a sign of great honour and respect.
Chapter 6
The
Elsie Odili comes to Bori to see is on night-duty but has 2 days off, during
which she and a friend (for Nanga) will come to the house. Nanga's ministerial
car has no trouble getting through the hospital gate, delivering Odili to a
forbidden nighttime visit to the female nurses' quarters. Elsie is drowsy but
desirable and desiring. The friend intended for Nanga is less pretty and very
talkative. Odili hopes Nanga will not want to swap. He tells Elsie about the
other Elsie he has met at a party and is glad to see her jealous. The
chauffeur, who is ready to leave, interrupts their banter. Elsie is impressed
by the Cadillac and proprietary as she says good-bye.
On
Thursday evening, Nanga is scheduled to open the first-ever book exhibition of
a local author. Odili visits Elsie and sets up a date. He takes Nanga’s Cadillac which impresses
her. They all go together to a book
exhibition to hear Nanga speak. -
Objectification of women again. - Jalio
wrote fictional Song of the Blackbird.
Chapter 7
Nanga
is a born politician, able to get away with anything and sway anyone. He can
say harsh things but hold no malice inside. He is so open and kind Odili cannot
take him seriously. Nanga is applauded at the end of his speech when he
prophesies Nigeria will soon have world-class authors like the British and is
asked for copies of the speech by Jalio and the greasy-looking editor of the
Daily Matchet. A few days earlier, Odili had watched the editor uncomfortably
solicit rent money from the Minister, who gave in lest he publish some rubbish
about him. Nanga calls freedom of the press the freedom to assassinate
character. No one but God is perfect, but they should at least criticize
constructively. Riding home, Odili fawns over the speech as he throbs with
expectation of being alone with Elsie
Nanga
makes a good speech and they return home.
He comments that he likes Jalio after he sees various ambassadors fawning
over the author. They eat dinner and
Nanga has sex with Elsie! Odili loses it
when he hears them (she is screaming Odili’s name in a perverse twist) and
leaves the house at 4AM. He comes back
in the morning and curses out Nanga and heads to Maxwell’s. - a
dash is a small loan or bribe—this destigmatizes corruption—it’s just a small
quick thing after all.
Chapter 8
Odili
feels the night's humiliation only after Max leaves for court. He had been able
to do nothing about it. He wonders if Elsie will spend another night and thinks
briefly of placing an anonymous phone call. He wonders now whether all the
trivial thoughts filling his mind had been a smokescreen for weighty decisions
taking form. He recalls a teacher's recommendation he read all the questions on
an exam and start answering the easiest ones, allowing his subconscious to sort
the others out. Manhood demands he avenge Nanga's shameful treatment, and Odili
suddenly realizes he can do this through the intended parlor wife. Odili is
cheerful when Max comes home and over dinner tells the story lightly, playing
down humiliation and playing up revenge. Max agrees putting juju on the woman
will catch the old rotter. Max says Nanga shows what happens when intelligent
people abandon politics.
Odili
plots revenge against Nanga. Maxwell
hold a meeting of the Common People’s Convention (CPC). While the party has Communist undertones,
Maxwell is quick to reject that label.
He reveals that the CPC has an inside man in the current
government. All the politicians care for
are women, cars, landed property. It’s
like a rap video today. Case in point: some
in the older generation wish the white man had never left - “it is only when
you are close to a man that you can begin to smell his breath”
Chapter 9
Odili
returns to Anata on Dec. 23, and finds crowds gathered outside Josiah's. A
villager who offers to carry Odili's box asks whether he knows Azoge, the blind
beggar. Josiah gets Azoge drunk, steals his stick, and replaces it with a new
one, thinking Azoge will not notice. Josiah wants the old one for juju - to
make medicine for trade. Odili is still unclear when he reaches his home and
wants to rest before searching for Mrs. Nanga, but the noise from Josiah's gets
louder. Josiah has barricade himself in his shop, and Azoge is repeating his
story for the menacing crowd. Among those raising their voices is a middle-aged
Christian carpenter, Timothy, who says ominously, "Josiah has taken away
enough for the owner to notice," and vows never to set foot here again.
Odili
goes back to Anata and we hear the story of Josiah, the bar-owner who took too
much. Odili visits Mrs. Nanga and gets
Edna’s location and then visits her, saying that Nanga sent him to inquire
after her mother (who is in the hospital).
He gives Edna a lift to the hospital on his bike but also crashes it,
humorously. - No greater condemnation:
taking things till at last the owner (the people) notice.
Chapter 10
At
Christmas, details of major corruption (more than their fair share) break out in
the media concerning current government.
The CPC has Odili run against Nanga.
Odili implore Edna not to marry Nanga!
Odili meets a lot of opposition in his campaign. It’s important that he rejects Josiah’s offer
of support - now we see a dash of a four-story home! - we also see that the
wooden masks are now a game played by drunkards and children - we see Odili
enjoying the fear in another person—enjoying power - whereas a telegram might
take 3 days to reach the country, rumour took a day or less
Chapter 11
Odili
gets bodyguards as the campaign gets vicious.
Through it all, he pines for Edna (probably more than he cares about the
CPC). Nanga approaches Odili’s father
and tries to buy off Odili with 250 pounds and a two year scholarship. Odili firmly rejects this. - “Eating the hills like yam”
Chapter 12
Maxwell
arrives from the city with his CPC staff to drum up support for Odili. Maxwell admits he took a bribe similar to the
one offered to Odili, however, he insists that the bribe carries no weight and
he just did it to take the money. When
Odili approaches Edna, she angrily dismisses him. When the POP finds out that Odili’s father
indirectly supported his son’s campaigning, they nearly jail him and levy
convenient overdue taxes against him.
Odili’s home village loses their pipes for supporting him. Odili writes off Edna.
Chapter 13
In
disguise, Odili goes to Nanga’s campaign meeting. Josiah sees him though and calls him
out. Odili is beaten severely, with only
Edna vainly trying to help. He wakes up
in the hospital and ends up winning Edna.
A military coup occurs in the country, overthrowing the government and
suddenly Max is a martyr and a hero. - Corruption
equated with “a warrior eating the reward of his courage” at throwing the white
man out - the people had nothing to do with fall of government—it was unruly
mobs and private armies. - “but in the
affairs of the nation there was no owner, the laws of the village became
powerless.” - You’ve lived a good life
when someone will shoot your murderer without expecting anything in
return.
CONCLUSION
This
novel takes place in 1964 examines the institutions of Nigeria. Coming out of colonial times, the people have
no sense of taxes or being taxed, especially the farmers (because the tax is just
being wrapped into the purchase price).
Originally published in 1966, during which there were two coups in
Nigeria. The first coup ended the first
republic. After these two coups Achebe
went to Biafra to join their independence movement. When Biafra lost that bid, Achebe headed to
the US for an extended period.
Without understanding that Chief
Nanga is a man of the people, the story does not work. In the novel, it’s the
people that drive the action. It’s
important that Nanga is the only character that talks to the people. Odili never talks to the people in the same
manner. Even at Odili’s rally, it’s
Maxwell who speaks, and he still doesn’t speak to them in the way Nanga does
(paragraph’s ideas mainly attributed to prof).
REFERENCES
Achebe
.C A
Man of the People
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