Chief Nanga's Home (Visual and Tactile Imagery)
“When I lay down in the double bed that seemed to ride on a cushion of air, and switched on that reading lamp and saw all the beautiful furniture anew from the lying down position and looked beyond the door to the gleaming bathroom and the towels as large as a lappa I had to confess that if I were at that moment made a minister I would be most anxious to remain one for ever.”
Chief Nanga's luxurious mansion is described in detail. Odili takes in the sights, smells, and feelings he experiences upon his arrival. He explains that the mansion contains seven bedrooms—one for each day of the week. In this way, Chief Nanga tries to spread his presence outside of his physical body. Rather, his power is evident in the institutions and buildings that he occupies.
Chief Nanga and The Cadillac (Visual Imagery)
“The Minister stepped out [of his Cadillac] wearing damask and gold chains and acknowledging cheers with his ever-present fan of animal skin which they said fanned away all evil designs and shafts of malevolence thrown at him by the wicked.”
Chief Nanga is described as being as frivolous as the vehicle that he uses for transportation. This description uses visual imagery in order to paint a clear picture of the ostentatious Minister. His description stands in stark contrast to the physical descriptions of the other characters that appear in the novel. This magnifies the Minister's unilateral characterization. Additionally, it demonstrates how Chief Nanga's corrupt practices manifest in his outward appearance.
Odo's House (Visual Imagery)
“I lost my way a few times before I found Odo’s house of red earth and thatched roof. He was sitting in his front room making the rope used for tying yams on to erect poles in the barn.”
Odili's description of Odo's house is full of visual imagery. The reader is prompted to recall the description of Chief Nanga's home and notice the juxtaposition of the two residences. Odo's house gives the reader a clear picture of the reality of the common man. The general population is impoverished and lives without many material possessions, while the elite live frivolously.
The Smell of the Assembly (Olfactory Imagery)
“I was choking with the acrid smell of other people’s sweat and wondered if the ceremony would ever begin.”
Odili describes the suffocating environment of Chief Nanga's campaign assembly. Through this description, the reader understands that the assembly is crowded, warm, and unpleasant. Odili's physical discomfort foreshadows the unfortunate conclusion of the assembly.
