"As long as a man confined himself to preparing foreign concoctions he could still maintain the comfortable illusion that he wasn't really doing such an unmanly thing as cooking" (47).
This quote addresses two important themes throughout the novel. Firstly, it points to the fragility of masculinity and the subordination of women. Secondly, it comments on the persistent influence of colonialism. In order for a "feminine activity" to be considered more masculine, it is important that it is removed from the African societal context. This asserts that the Western imperialist view has been internalized by the African society. In this way, the nation has developed deeply misogynistic beliefs in order to redistribute their feelings of cultural inferiority.
“A common saying in the country after Independence was that it didn’t matter what you knew but who you knew" (17).
Odili comments on the status of post-colonial Africa. He explains that following colonialism, the country was left trying to piece together their infrastructure and government. During this state of vulnerability and distress, Odili argues that the country sought to rebuild itself based on personal connections rather than merit. This demonstrates the corruption of government and the ubiquity of selfishness.
"And I felt envious. I had no mother to buy head-ties for, and although I had a father, giving things to him was like pouring a little water into a dried-up well" (27).
Odili alludes to the circumstances of his upbringing. It is clear that Odili has been severely affected by the death of his mother and his strained relationship with his father. It is interesting that Odili so candidly admits to feeling envious of a child. When we see these unresolved feelings of guilt and alienation, we can better understand why Odili sees himself on the fringe of society. These sentiments continue to carry over into Odili’s adulthood and yield his characteristic skepticism.
"'America may not be perfect,' he was saying, 'but don’t forget that we are the only powerful country in the entire history of the world, the only one, which had the power to conquer others and didn’t do it'" (54).
The tension between Western and African cultures is further exacerbated by the presence of Jean and John. As the couple talks to Chief Nanga, they decide to call the Minister by his Christian name. Symbolically, this action indicates the erasure of African culture in favor of Western, white assimilation. While Odili is made uncomfortable by the couple’s behavior, his feelings magnify as he talks to John. When John makes this claim over dinner, Odili finds himself aggravated and frustrated at his powerlessness. While the story takes place in post-colonial Africa, John and Jean symbolize the residual, detrimental effects of colonialism on post-colonial African society.
"'Tell me something, Odili. How serious are you about this girl Elsie?'
'You mean about marriage. . . . Good Lord, no! She is just a good-time girl'" (60).
Chief Nanga and Odili’s discussion about Elsie foreshadows the climactic conflict between these two characters. Chief Nanga’s interrogation hints that he has taken an interest in Odili’s girlfriend. Meanwhile, Odili’s reply demonstrates the negative effects of Chief Nanga on Odili’s personality. In this way, we can understand that Odili is partly to blame for Chief Nanga’s pursuit of Elsie. Rather than maintaining his own integrity, Odili succumbs to the Minister’s womanizing and disrespectful ways.
“The appearance of comparative peace which Max’s house presented to me that morning proved quite deceptive. Or perhaps some of Chief Nanga’s 'queen bee' characteristics had rubbed off on me and transformed me into an independent little nucleus of activity which I trailed with me into this new place" (78).
This quote indicates Odili's transformation as a character, and how some of Chief Nanga’s unpleasant characteristics have rubbed off on him. Although Odili is repulsed by Chief Nanga’s selfishness and the demeaning way he talks about women, we see that Odili himself has started to manifest these qualities. Although the story is built upon the premise that Odili is the protagonist and Chief Nanga the antagonist, it is important to recognize the similarities between these two characters. Odili's proximity to Chief Nanga and his flirtation with political privileges changes Odili and underscores his hypocrisy.
"'Even if he was my brother or my father...Edna, give yourself a chance. The man’s son is almost your age...'
'That is the world of women,' she said resignedly" (99).
When Odili finally musters the courage to confront Edna about his feelings for her, he is ultimately unable to be honest and open. Rather than professing his love, Odili instead chooses to attack her current marriage offer. In this way, Odili again underscores his feelings of insecurity and inferiority when he compares himself to Chief Nanga. Edna’s reaction prompts the audience to further analyze the role of women in the story. While Odili blames Edna for being submissive to her arrangement, he fails to recognize the lack of control or power that women have in their society.
“But in my final year I had passed through what I might call a period of intellectual crisis brought on partly by my radical Irish lecturer in history and partly by someone who five years earlier had been by all accounts a fire-eating president of our Students’ Union. He was now an ice-cream-eating Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Production and had not only become one of the wealthiest and most corrupt landlords in Bori but was reported in the Press as saying that trade-union leaders should be put in detention. He became for us a classic example of the corroding effect of privilege” (111).
This quote is an example of the motif of hypocrisy. While politicians ostensibly aim to serve the people that they represent, Odili finds that even the most progressive candidates resort to selfishness once they get a taste of the privileges of political life. We are prompted to evaluate how Odili's own involvement in politics causes him to act out of self-interest.
“My father’s attitude to my political activity intrigued me a lot. He was, as I think I have already indicated, the local chairman of P.O.P. in our village, Urua, and so I expected that his house would not contain both of us. But I was quite wrong. He took the view (without expressing it in so many words) that the mainspring of political action was personal gain, a view which, I might say, was much more in line with the general feeling in the country than the high-minded thinking of fellows like Max and I" (115).
Odili discusses the relationship that he shares with his father. Although his relationship has been strained throughout his life, he is surprised that his father is supportive of his opposing political views. However, it becomes clear that Odili's father is merely interested in his son's political affairs for his personal gain. This prompts the audience to evaluate Hezekiah's self-interest and morality. We are prompted to consider the similarities between Hezekiah and Chief Nanga and extrapolate the meaning of these relationships in Odili's life.
"In such a regime, I say 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" (149).
Odili discusses the heroic death of Max Kulamo and the devotion of his wife, Eunice, who has avenged her late husband by shooting his murderer. Odili's dark joke closes the entire novel, and this reflects the satirical nature of the story. In the story's final words, Odili discusses his nation's corrupt practices and the skewed sense of "moral superiority." In discussing Max's martyrdom, we are prompted to examine the differences between Odili and Max.
