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A Man Of The People

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"A Man of the People" is another excellent and moving book by the world renowned Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe. His other classic books include: "Things Fall Apart" and "No Longer at Ease".

Chinua Achebe is a gifted story teller. From his writings, one can picture life in his native country and particularly of his Ibo clan. In "A Man of the People", Achebe depicts the life of a post-colonial African politician, who is part of the new elite that has replaced the former colonial masters. Just like the pigs in "Animal Farm by George Orwell", these political elite create a good life for themselves at the expense of the masses, the ordinary folk.

Achebe points out some of the cancer that has infected post colonial Africa of corruption, violence and unbridled greed, which created untold suffering and despair following the initial euphoria, high expectations and optimism that greeted independence. Achebe develops the story in a powerful, humorous, witty and masterful way that clearly shows why he is one of the greatest novelists to have graced the African continent. He is one of my favourite writers.

I recommend his collection of books to anyone who wishes to understand developments on the African continent as well as the high quality of African literature. The books ought to be mandatory reading for the English literature curriculum for schools and colleges in Africa.

This novel tells the story of a hapless schoolteacher who enters politics seeking personal revenge after his girlfriend is seduced by a sleazy politician. The book has wry humor, deftly-drawn characters, and a knowing, nuanced view of "ground reality" politics in Africa. It isn't Dostoevesky but it makes the reader laugh and think -- and it's only 149 pages!

Achebe is a master in portraying Nigerian society in transition, amid corruption, violence and the excitement of development. In this novel, Achebe portrays a schoolteachers that is first welcomed into a politician's home, then gets angered by him when the politician "steals" his girlfriend. The novel unfolds as the schoolteacher (Odili) enters politics as a way to avenge his poor fate with his girlfriend.

As with any Achebe novel, we are introduced in a developing society, still in the excitement of self rule after the British, but struggling to get set on a path towards development. Achebe is very ironic at time, and I think this novel especially shows his wry sense of humor. For example, the Minister of Culture is a rather cultureless man, put in that position through connections and bribery.

Overall, I recommend this book if you enjoyed Achebe's previous work (Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease are my favorites). At only 150 pages, it is the shortest by him that I have read, which makes it even more worth it. Would not recommend as your first Achebe.

I haven't read all of Achebe's works, but so far this is the best. There are two main reasons: storytelling and insight to Nigeria, and by extension, Africa. If you're going to read one Achebe book, it should be this one (unless you're specifically interested in pre-colonial/early colonial setting which would be "Things Fall Apart").

Storytelling: Achebe's strengths are highlighted and weaknesses hidden in this tale. The plot is well-paced, taut and compelling. The style is sharp with a masterful balance of attention amongst setting, characters, and action. In short, "readability" or "page-turnability" is high. The pidgin English conversation may cause a few stumbles for the reader but overall it is more value-added than obstacle. Female characters are still rather more flat than males, which is usual for Achebe.

Insight: The beauty of the storytelling is matched by the contextual insight. In fact, this is the most important aspect of the story for me. One can look up Nigerian history and read that the First Republic lasted from 1960 to 1966, fraught with social unrest and ended by coup and Biafran Civil War in '67. Achebe fills in this time and place with living color - insight as to splits in society, individual motivations, and the legacy of colonial ideas mixing with traditional. He wrote the story real-time, that is, without big picture hindsight of the coup so as to align historical details. However, this makes his prescience all the more remarkable.

Specific observations:
- The single most profoundly insightful scene I've read by Achebe occurs with the post sex-with-Jean drive around Bori (a made-up name - all locations are thus as a means of self-preservation vs Nigerian state censorship and punishment). Though succinct, so much is illustrated about the contradictions inherent in post-colonial Nigerian society as people wend through the frustrating amalgamation of Western and traditional practices.

- Underlying themes are important. It is evident that things are getting worse economically only a few years after independence (1960). There is implication that Nigeria is living partially on the dole as colonial firms still have an important role in the economy. There is also an anti-intellectual movement underfoot. This may be a backlash from the lack of meritocracy and obsession with titles, status, and civil service wealth identified in Achebe's previous story, "No Longer At Ease."

- Achebe tells us that essentially, the second "Scramble for Africa" is INTERNAL. Nigerian elites are grabbing for positions of power and dedicating themselves to consolidating their status while giving lip service to nationalism. The ideals of democracy are trod underfoot by the traditional tendency towards "big man" patron-client apparatus development. The intensity of the struggle over power stems from the rigid assumption of a zero-sum game and lack of true national public interest.

- In Shakespearean tradition, the characters are vibrant and flawed. Hypocrisy abounds as personal agendas and ideological principles intertwine. The most cynical actors of all are the common people. They are so jaded about their leaders and politics that they have no expectations. Indignation about governance inadequacy is bearable; certainly there is no motivation to mobilize and force change - instead everyone remains preoccupied with myopic survival strategies to secure what crumbs that are available from the national "cake." However, this is no "Goodfellas" (the 1990 movie that most people think is brilliant but I absolutely hate because there is not a single redeeming character in it that one can empathize with). Achebe's characters cause head shaking but empathy at the same time. In particular, Eunice is perhaps a Weberian "ideal type" that provides sharp contrast - thoroughly admirable and uncompromising to the end.

- The violence and manipulation dominating elections is far from anachronistic; these details resonate as if written only a few years ago. Elections in Nigeria have changed little, even since the return to civilian rule after Abacha in 1999. The 2007 election, in fact, was judged to be arguably the worst EVER in post-colonial history. Achebe shrewdly and poetically shares with the reader the hints as to "why" the country has been this way.

Happy reading!

Achebe's Man of the People Notes, Discussion and Summary

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).

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Questions and Discussion Points:
- How sympathetic is Achebe's hero? Achebe portrays Odili as symbolic of the next generation. It's important to note that Achebe writes in the first person, a departure from his previous novels.
- How do women in this book represent society at large?
Edna is a pawn and passive figure--the least of the actors.
Elsie shows a keen lack of fidelity.
Eunice symbolizes accountability, which is what you want in a nation.
Akilo is educated but also a prostitute.
Mrs Nanga:what's the deal with her Adam's apple?
*In the novel, women go along with objectification. If they symbolize society at large, they are treated as objects that don't care that that is the way they are treated.
- Where did lack of selflessness come from? Who's to blame for this endemic corruption? Achebe blames it on scale of largesse--in the nation/state there's no ownership (like that exists at the village level). Before independence stealing was fine because it was from the White man, but now it's stealing from the people?
- How is religion replaced by materialism in the novel?
- Examine the inversion of education's importance.
- Could Chief Koko's overreaction (when he thinks that he's been poisoned) be a dig at the alarmist nature of that region by Achebe?
- Examine how he uses different women in the novel:
- Examine the theme of infidelity among men and women. Does this transfer to a lack of fidelity in society at large?
- Jalio is Soyinka (Sho-yeen-kah). How does this idea fit into the novel's meaning? Incidentally, read some of this man's poetry! It's essential.
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- The novel offers Achebe's commentary on education--they purge the western-educated ministers at the beginning and voice a disdain for their education abroad. The action highlights this competition, as well as the inability of society to hold anyone accountable, because they don't understand how their country fits into the larger global context.
Examine the roles played by fathers in the novel.

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 withi 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?

Chapter 2
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 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
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
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
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 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 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 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.

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In January of 1966, Nigeria's federal republic was dissolved when a military coup was led by General Johnson Anguigi-Ironsi. The was a particularly bloody affair; its victims included such important figures as the federal prime minister, Sir Abubakar Balewa, and the premiers of the northern and western regions, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Chief Samuel Akintola. Later, Ironsi himself was kidnapped and presumed dead. Dissension, and eventually the coup, sprang from the disputed census of 1963 and subsequent federal and regional elections. The new military regime proclaimed the country a republic and announced its intention to abolish all political parties and ethnic associations for a period of three years. Speculation that the coup would lead to Igbo control of the government resulted in further violence (namely communal massacres) and threats of secession.

It is significant, perhaps ironic, that 1966 was the year in which "A Man of the People", now considered a classic of sorts, was first published. Its author, Chinua Achebe, then Nigeria's Director of External Broadcasting and himself an Igbo, witnessed the tumult of that time. In contrast to the upheaval which occurred then, Achebe's novel seems to be a relatively innocuous piece of literature if, in fact, the setting of its unnamed country happens to be his homeland. This is not to say that parts of the book's contents are not to be viewed seriously, but it lacks partisan indictment or revenge, and its satirical nature keeps its themes from ever becoming too involved or overbearing.

The plot itself is easy enough to follow. Chapter One opens with the main character and narrator, Odili Samalu, a young school teacher, attending a rally for his former mentor, the popular Chief M. A. Nanga, presently Minister of Culture and who is referred to as a "man of the people." At the rally Chief Nanga invites Odili to visit his residence in the Capitol in order to get reacquainted. During his stay Odili learns of the corruption in which Chief Nanga is immersed and is incensed when the politician seduces his girlfriend. It is in the Capitol that Odili gets his feet wet in politics and where he helps found the Common People's Convention (C.P.C.). Disillusioned by Chief Nanga's Corruption and insulted by his moral decadence, Odili decides to oppose his ex-host in the upcoming elections. However, both Chief Nanga and Odili are denied when a military coup preempts the contest.

At its best, novel exposes the schizophrenia of a society in transition. The consequences of modernization and the remnants of traditional life are brought into focus here. Odili mused on the trials of this quasi-imaginary place when he wrote:"The trouble with our new nation was that none of us has been indoors long enough . . . . We had all been in the rain together until yesterday. Then a handful of us---the smart and the lucky and hardly ever the best---had scrambled for the shelter our former rulers had left, and had taken it over and barricaded themselves in. And from within they thought to persuade the rest through numerous loudspeakers . . . that all argument should cease and the whole people speak with one voice."

The society is one in which slick, upstart bureaucrats have the support of a constituency who will "let them eat." Chief Nanga and Odili, antagonist and protagonist, a not unfamiliar fictional construct of intergenerational conflict set in an unstable environment. Chief Nanga is a semi-literate official who owes his position and prestige to clever scheming, a political machine, and crowd-pleasing bravado. He is not so much an evil, greedy man as he is an ambitious opportunist who has come to recognize the realities of his nation's predicament and takes full advantage of this. Still, he comes off as a likeable rogue---a good uncle. His antithesis can almost be found in Odili, a young, intelligent idealist who is not preoccupied with money and other bourgeois concerns. Initially, he seemed to both admire and resent Chief Nanga whom he criticizes as "one of those fortunate ones who had just enough English (and not one single word more) to have his say strongly, without inhibition and colorfully," and only later came to abhor his corruption and collaboration with foreign interests after he has been personally offended. Odili is honest and protests the bribes accepted by his political allies; hardly the prevailing reaction to venality. By the conclusion of the story both Chief Nanga and Odili are dispossessed; Chief Nanga is cheated out of another term in office and Odili is an embittered, alienated loser.

But what of their fellow citizens? To what extent were they responsible for the many outrages perpetrated by the old regime? In a very real sense, they are still a subject people. Only their masters have changed. These "PIVs" (Poor Innocent Victims) are a cynical, apathetic lot who allow themselves to be duped and abused by scoundrels like Chief Nanga. Odili is angry at most of his countrymen who, ultimately, are portrayed as having gotten what they deserved. He declared: "Overnight everyone began to shake their heads at the excesses of the last regime, at its graft, oppression and corrupt government; newspapers, the radio, the hitherto silent intellectuals and civil servants---everybody said what a terrible lot; it became (after the coup) public opinion the next morning. And these were the same people that only the other day had owned a thousand names of adulation, whom praise-singers follow with song and talking-drum wherever they went." Small wonder the sensitive Odili scorned both the nation's leaders and citizens alike.

Alarmed over Chief Nanga's party's corruption and political violence sweeping the nation, the military intervenes. "No, the people had nothing to do with the fall of our Government," Odili averred. "What happened was simply that unruly mobs and private armies having tasted blood and power during the election got out of hand and ruined their masters and employers." Sadly, since the publication of "Man of the People" in 1966 the world has grown accustomed to the military's usurpation of power in Sub-Saharan African states, oftentimes achieved under circumstances similar to those in the novel. Achebe, who today teaches at Brown University, forced the questions, "Did democracy fail, and was it a practical, adaptable form of government for a post-colonial nation." Who can best represent and advocate for the people---cynical and apathetic though they are---in a society where there is disunifying class and ethnic conflict, the legacy of European domination? His disillusionment notwithstanding, Odili offered one final, hopeful thought when he meditated:

"But we are still around. The important thing is to stay alive; if you will outlive your present annoyance. The great thing, as the old people have told us, is reminiscence; and only those who survive can have it. Besides, if you survive, who knows? It may be your turn to eat tomorrow. Your son may bring home your share."

I am a fan of Chinua Achebe ever since I read "Things Fall Apart" quite a few years ago during a trip to Africa. This book does not quite hold up to the power of that one but it is quite interesting and provides some insight into the legacy of colonial rule in Africa and the selfishness and immaturity of some of the politicians. What was called a democracy was nothing more than the trappings of a ruling elite (This book was probably a direct satire on Nigerian rule, post-colonialism.)

The story centers around a protagonist who is educated and part of the growing middle class and his original antagonism toward, eventual befriending of and later total rejection of a powerful minister in the government. The insight into the means that such people exerted in their own personal interest is well documented as through character description of the two main characters. I enjoyed the story and the point of view of the author although I had hoped for a more optimistic outcome of the narrative. Achebe is a wonderful story teller. This book was no exception.

very fascinating to read how the writer has captured situations forty years ago that are still so accurate today.

Like all of his many novels, Man of the People is a timeless and beautifully written book. Achebe has a way of charcterization that is masterful, once again creating strong and unique men and women with which he weaves a fast-paced and anthropologically fascinating story.

I like really good fiction, like Goethe and Shakespeare, or even Orwell. I have to say that Achebe's novel is one of the worst I have ever read! I'm really into books, they are my world! Achebe, however, presents us with a novel which is not only completely dull, but is filled with icky culture and custom which thoroughly demonstrates the trivial determinism at work on Odili's actions from the influence of his culture. Odili is a man of pride, and his ego is disturbed when his 'girlfriend', who wasn't really even his girlfriend until she slept with the high and mighty Chief Nanga. For the rest of the novel, he is obsessed with getting revenge by seducing Nanga's fiancé, whom he ends up falling in 'love' with. Odili is a very twisted individual, distorted by his own culture. I do not recommend Achebe, please read Goethe, Nietzsche, Sartre, Homer, Plato, Camus, Kafka, Aristophanes, and Borges.