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.
While you could argue that Odili just wants to prove Nanga wrong and to prove how committed he is to revenge, I think that Odili does hold these ideals on some level. Even if he only cares about them because he wants to prove to himself how good and noble he is or to improve his standing in the eyes of others (Max, other intellectuals, …), he still believes them to an extent. Just by thinking that they are 'ideals' he says they are to be admired and defended. From the beginning, we know Odili despises what Nanga stands for, but it is less clear why; ideology or jealousy? Most of Odili's political views come across in his descriptions of the various instances of corruption he discovers throughout the book, such as the story in the first chapter of the overthrow of the cabinet and the series of exposés described in chapter ten. In this sequence, he treats the disintegration of some sectors of the government with "a feeling akin to festivity," hinting that his ideas are less nuanced than he might think (101). Max, forming his own political party must have more specific plans, but Odili seems to have little knowledge of precisely what he stands for in the election's "life and death fight" (101). He only knows what he stands against.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it does not matter so much (to we as 'virtuous' people, not as readers), since we are ourselves are not Odili, whether he even understands the complexities of his motivations – I would assume he does not. He says as much while "self-analyzing" in his narration: "How important was my political activity in its own right? It was difficult to say; things seemed so mixed up; my revenge, my new political ambition and the girl. And perhaps it was just as well that my motives should entangle and reinforce one another" (109-10). As long as he behaves acceptably and keeps fighting for his ideals, I think we can like him. But I think he has not displayed enough virtue in his personal actions for us to respect him anyway.
Odili calling Nanga a "bush man" is interesting after what we've discussed in class about country versus city. It seems out of place for Odili to call him that, seeing as they both come from similar backgrounds and are speaking in the "bush" they both have called home. This might be a common insult there, but it seems somewhat hypocritical and 'British', especially after the way Mrs. Nanga's mother was treated by the children, for Odili to use the term.
Odili is motivated by three different things. Odili is power hungry, he has such a strong attraction to revenge towards Nanga, and Odili does care about the people.
ReplyDeleteOdili is such a power hungry character and it is show throughout this whole book. From the very beginning Odili saw him self as better then others and some of the reasons for this might have been because he was educated and nobody else was. Odili always wanted to be on the top and never was. I think this is one of the reasons he is running for this passion. Odili saw an chance to gain power and he took it.
After Nanga slept with Odili's "girl-friend" that triggered the hate for Nanga again. "So you really want to fight chief Nanga?" (121) I say again because in the very beginning of the book Odili was not to fond of Nanga, he thought he was over rated. When Odili started hating Nanga again Odili stopped caring about everything except plans to get back with Nanga. "Elsie did not matter in the least. What mattered was that a man had treated me as no man had the right to treat another... I make him pay for his insult in full measure." (77) What's a better way to get even with another man than to steal there job, this is another thing that I believe motivates Odili.
There is just something that I get for Odili that just makes me want to think he cares about the people. I want to believe this is another motive on why Odili did this. Odili is a caring guy no doubt about this. "I went straight to the boys defence and said he had offered to serve me but that I insisted on waiting, which was quite untrue."(77) "I am always sentimental when it comes to people not being seen when they are looked for."(122) Little instances likes these prove that Odili does care for the people.
So far all that I see in Odili is a childish man who is ignorant to the problems around him. He believes himself to be more educated than the other individuals in his village and therefore is separate from them, and cannot truly understand them. He is selfish and power hungry. He longs for wealth that can be found through the support of those around him or “from the people” as well as the kind of power that comes with women, money and riches. He wants political dominance as well as the perks that come along with it. Although I cannot say that his character is a shallow one and I can understand him fully and see the reasons behind his actions. To be honest his character confuses me because although right not I can only seem to explain his strong reaction against Nangas offer as him defending his pride that Nanga crippled when sleeping with Odilis girlfriend. “What mattered was that a man had treated me as no man had the right to treat another – not even if he was master an the other slave; an my manhood required that I make him pay for his insult in full measure” (pg. 191) although I believe that pride and revenge are main forces that push odili to take the first step in running against Nanga. Although I cannot ignore the fact that although odili has been a hypocrite throughout the book through going between admiring nanga and hating some of the qualities that he has. I do think though that he does have many honorable qualities, he is just a very real character he is human and has human desires. Although I do believe that he does change in chapter eleven because I think he has begun to care and respect Edna like he has not with any other woman so far, I think she influences his decision to stand up to nanga and not to take the bribe because she has made odili aware of how nanga can control anyone’s life and odiii becomes more aware of just how much power nanga has. I think he makes this decision on more than just revenge for his manliness I believe that he did it for Edna as well as probably a few more of his morals that I am not aware of. When he says, “you can’t buy me” I decipher this to be a reference to the fact that nanga is practically “buying” a wife, Edna. And odili is very against this because I believe he has a love or passion for her that not even he understands. The slur that odili uses “bush man” though does make me wonder about what qualities in his character that I would describe as good, because I find it strange that he calls nanga “bush man” even though they come from similar backgrounds. I believe the reason behind this impulsive action is the fact that odili sees himself as actually being more educated and knowledgeable that nanga, similar to the way that he thinks about the villagers he sees himself as more intelligent than nanga.
ReplyDeleteAs we discussed in class today, and I am sure is an opinion shared by everyone, Odili is in no way a likable character. His reaction to Nanga offering him money is extremely frustrating and fake. We know for a fact that Odili is not a moral person who is driven to run for office to better his country. He is doing to purely for revenge. He has carefully planned his sabotage of Nanga’s political career and is very proud of it. “Although I had little hope of winning Chief Nanga’s seat, it was necessary nonetheless to fight and expose him as much as possible so that, even if he won, the Prime Minister would find it impossible to re-appoint him to his cabinet.” (110) Odili is thriving in the spotlight. He loves seeing his name posted places and come up in discussion. “I acquired my first trophy- the placard with my name on it.” (114) Throughout the past few chapters it seems that Odili is not even sure what his party stands for, just that it opposes Nanga. That is all that matters to him. The feelings he has toward Nanga and the life changing decisions he made just to ruin Nanga’s career were the reason Odili turned down the money. He sees himself as a strong and unforgiving man. Accepting money from Nanga would not only make him seem weak, but would go against everything he has said and done in the process of building up his campaign.
ReplyDeleteI think that Nanga and Odili are extremely similar characters and share the same flaws. The insults thrown at each other are said not only to hurt the other, but to make themselves feel better. I think Odili is more harsh to Nanga not only because he knows he is going to lose the election, but also because Nanga just admitted he plays a role in the “dirty game of politics.” (120) There is a part of Odili that genuinely wants to end the corruption and this is one of the few times where this outweighs his desire for revenge .
I don’t think Odili’s personal ideals influenced his decision to refuse the bribe. The fact that it was buying someone’s seat in the government is not why Odili refused, but instead because of his pride and need for revenge. When Nanga makes his offer, Odili is not thinking about his ideals: “Actually I was thinking about Edna all along” (119). That is not to say Odili doesn’t have ideals, but I don’t think they influence his decision to continue to run for Nanga’s position. Instead of telling Nanga how wrong it is to bribe people to not run for office, Odili tells Nanga that he is afraid. “I can see you are trying to cover your fear. I see the fear in your eyes” (120). Odili brings it back to pride–he wants Nanga to be scared of him and pay him respect through fear. The two things motivating Odili are revenge, which he plans to get through Edna and the election, and pride.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very interesting that Odili called Nanga “bush man” (120) for several reasons. First, it shows how Odili thinks of himself–he and Nanga came from very similar backgrounds, yet he doesn’t consider himself a local country boy. He elevates his own position, inferring that he isn’t a bush man because of his Western education. Second, it shows how Odili thinks of his own people. His elitist attitude is very evident when he says this. He also relates political bribery to being a bush man. He says, “You can take your filthy money away and clear out of here…Bush man!” (120) He puts himself above the actions of those around him, despite he is sort of participating in those same actions himself.
The implication of a moral high road is that there is a low road. When Odili denies the bribe, he is taking the moral high road with that implication in mind. his obsession with being above others in some way seems to drive everything he does in this novel. Just the fact that Nanga is offering him money to drop out proves he fears Odili at least a little, and Odili loves that because it gives him power, "I see the fear in your eyes. If you know you are not afraid why do send thugs to molest me; why do your hired cowards carry placards with my name" (120). He has used education and women to prove his superiority in the past, and now he is using morals. When Odili rejects the money he labels himself righteous, and feels like he has the upper hand against Nanga. Conversely, he believes if he took the money he would owe something to Nanga, "... a man who takes money from another in return for service must render that service or remain vulnerable to that man's just revenge" (127). This prospect of vulnerability is Odili's worst nightmare.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about the slur before class today, but I agree with the points brought up in discussion. 'Bush man' is a derogatory term used originally by white men against native Africans. It was a way of degrading and dehumanizing Africans because their culture is different than the white man's culture. By using the slur against someone of his same culture, Odili effectively elevates himself to a great being, one removed from his culture. Immediately following the comment, he stops giving Nanga even the respect of conversation, "It was I who had to clear out there and then" (120). It all goes back to his need to be better than others, and this time it drove him as far as to belittle his own people.
Odili calling Nanga a 'bush man' shows how much he dislikes him. “You can take your filthy money away and clear out of here…Bush man!” (120). While they are from the same upbringings they still know they are very different people. Despite their similar goals, they have separate motivations. Nanga is all about power and his need to control everyone. He does this while being able to keep his image as a good person and leader to the people. Odili is motivated by three different things. Odili is power hungry, he has such a strong attraction to revenge towards Nanga, and Odili does care about the people. "It was I who had to clear out there and then" (120). Odili, unlike Nanga, is more personable and his ability to be liked isn't fake.
ReplyDeleteOdili is becoming this character who is likable and less selfish. In the beginning of the book Odili was seen as almost a parallel to Nanga without the power and the people's acceptance. I believe we as readers can accept him as long as he continues his pace as a good and productive person. "How important was my political activity in its own right? It was difficult to say; things seemed so mixed up; my revenge, my new political ambition and the girl. And perhaps it was just as well that my motives should entangle and reinforce one another" (109-10). This shows Odili's personality becoming more and more acceptable and this is why he is becoming a better character for us to root for.
I believe that Odili is motivated by a variety of factors. At the beginning of the book, he does seem to have some ideals, and it seems that he still carries these deep inside. In chapter 12, Odili gets very angry when he finds out that Max has accepted money from Nanga. He tells Max, “[the accepting of the bribe] has moral force…. I thought we wanted our fight to be clean” (119.) From this sentence, it seems that Odili actually cares about upholding his moral standards. However, he continues: “’You had better look out; they will be even more vicious from now on and people will say they have cause.’ I was really worried” (120.) Here, it seems that Odili cares about moral standards simply because that is what will help him win his fight against Nanga. In reality, I think it is a combination of these two motivators: somewhere deep inside, Odili does care about some kind of morals, but he also cares (perhaps more) about winning the election and defeating Nanga.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of chapter 11, Odili storms out of his conversation with Nanga. He immediately follows his refusal to accept the money with a personal attack on Nanga. He yells, “You think everyone can be bought with a few dirty pounds… I will fight you along the road and in the bush… I can see the fear in your eyes” (113.) In many ways, his attack on Nanga is framed as an explanation for why he will not accept the money, and, therefore, the reader is led to believe that Odili’s determination to get back at Nanga is the primary motivator of his actions. The insult Odili throws at Nanga (“bush man!”) contributes to this portrayal.