The Significance of Odili's Relationships with His Father, Max, and Edna

In Chapter 12, Odili must confront what is arguably everything in his life at this moment: the political campaign in which he is involved, certain beliefs, and his relationships with his father, Max and Edna. In this chapter, Odili demonstrates what seem like very strong views about each of these key figures. What does Odili's strong frustration with each of these characters reveal about who he is and what he believes in at this point? Choose TWO of the THREE (again two of his father, Max, or Edna) to respond to this question and make the case for why these relationships and Odili's view of them are the best way for understanding Odili at this point.

Please develop a thorough and thoughtful response and make sure you are citing AT LEAST three key lines or passages from this Chapter.

Nanga Makes Odili an Offer He Apparently Can Refuse

At the very end of Chapter 11, Odili is faced with a choice. Nanga makes him a significant two hundred and fifty pound offer to go back and get more of an education if Odili will drop out of the race. Odili rejects the offer. He proclaims, "Do you want an answer? It is NO in capital letters." He continues as he shouts at Nanga, "You think you can buy everyone with a few dirty pounds. You're making a sad mistake."

"You can't buy me." This seems an awful lot like Odili is making a decision based on certain principles--some commitment to democracy or to the power of the individual in politics. Should we accept that despite everything many of you concluded about Odili today, that he does have real ideals somewhere and they are motivating him in this moment? Or is he motivated by something else? Why does Odili ultimately make this decision?

Moreover, Odili ends his rebuttal to Nanga by referring to the Great Minister with a particular slur. How does that affect how we read Odili in these moments?

Please respond in a thorough and thoughtful answer that includes three effective citations, etc. Look, the line requirement is there because some have not been responding at the level we expect. We're at a key point in the book. Please make sure that you respond authentically.

Odili's Wants

Does what Odili wants change as the novel progresses or is what he seems to want by the end of Chapter 11 just a continuation of what he has wanted all along? Has your view of Odili changed as you've followed this story and how do you view Odili as a character at the end of Chapter 11?

Please respond in a thoughtful and thorough answer in which you provide at least five citations from throughout the text to ground your response.

Odili's Hypocrisy?

In your opinion, how fair is Odili being when he criticizes his father as a colonial middleman who did not care about the needs of his people and who has been a selfish womanizer? After all, Odili recognizes that figures like Nanga (figures who are the new powerbrokers) are corrupt and mostly looking out for themselves instead of for the needs of the people. Odili also tentatively realizes that Nanga has his own appetites for women. Nonetheless, Odili chooses to travel to the city to live with Nanga and to embrace the wealth and glamour of someone of Nanga's position. In your view, which is worse, Odili's father helping a colonial administrator or Odili seduction by power and his relationship with a man like Nanga?

The Significance of Odili's Village

On Friday, we will dig more analytically into what can initially be tough language to read in Chinua Achebe's A Man of the People. The text can be tough because Achebe must spend some time laying out the complicated social and political setting of a new Nigerian nation in the 1960s that has recently won its independence from colonialism.

However, it's important to note that Achebe begins his novel in a specific place: a relatively small village. First, describe the features of the village that stuck out to you while you were reading. What do you as a reader personally infer about the novel from these features? Be specific in referencing details of the opening pages.

Secondly, from your perspective, why start the novel in a small village rather than in another setting? What reasons might an author have for beginning his story here?

Please respond thoughtfully to this first post in about 10+sentences. Again, make sure you reference the text.