Literature
Literature
Plot introduction
A Man of the People is a first-person account of Odili, a school teacher in a fictional country closely resembling post-colonial Nigeria. Odili receives an invitation from a former teacher of his, Chief Nanga, who is now the powerful but corrupt Minister of Culture. As Minister, Nangas job is to protect the traditions of his country, and though he is known as “A Man of the People,” he instead uses his position to increase his personal wealth. The Ministers riches and power prove particularly impressive to Odilis girlfriend, who cheats on him with the minister. Seeking revenge, Odili begins to pursue the ministers fiancee.
Odili agrees to lead an opposition party in the face of both bribes and violent threats. Odili triumphs over the Minister, however, when a military coup forces his old teacher from office. The book ends with the line: “you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murderer in the chest — without asking to be paid.”[2]
[edit]Similarity to future events
Upon reading an advance copy of the novel, Achebes friend, the Nigerian poet and playwright John Pepper Clark declared: “Chinua, I know you are a prophet. Everything in this book has happened except a military coup!”[3]
Later in 1966, Nigerian Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu seized control of the northern