This paper analyses the depiction of corruption and incompetence in Festus Iyayi’s "Violence", Chinua Achebe’s "Anthills of the Savannah" and Kris Obodumu’s "Die a little". Literature from any part of the world is a response to definite historical and socio-political variables of its time. African literature, to a large extent, could be considered as protest literature.The protest culture rooted in the protest against slavery and colonialism now bears on post-independence social ills like corruption and incompetence which are so widespread in African political and governmental circles. Nigerian writers, especially novelists, have played a significant role in the growth and development of African literature through a vast array of highly successful novels. Studies show that Nigerian novelists like Festus Iyayi, Chinua Achebe and Kris Obodumu direct their critical searchlights on problems associated with corruption and incompetence in governmental circles which seem endemic to Nigeria.
Festus Iyayi in "Violence" is very much disturbed by the rate at which his society is decaying through the effect of corruption and incompetence after independence. The novel is basically set to reflect the moral decadence in Nigerian society between 1960 to the early 80s. Eight years after the publication of "Violence" corruption and incompetence had not only remained the order of the day in the Nigerian Society, but had also taken a sophisticated dimension. "Anthills of the Savannah" could be said to be the means through which Achebe shows his disgust for corruption, mediocrity and incompetence in the Nigerian political circle during the years of military dictatorship. Obodumu’s "Die a Little" is concerned with the examination of the inevitable consequences of bad national economic policy hastily put in place by a corrupt and incompetent regime without considering its impact on the people.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Iyayi's Violence
- Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Achebe's Anthills of The Savannah
- Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Obodumu's Die A Little
- Summary and Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the portrayal of corruption and incompetence in the Nigerian political and social landscape as depicted in three novels: Festus Iyayi's Violence, Chinua Achebe's Anthills of the Savannah, and Kris Obodumu's Die a Little. The objective is to examine how these authors utilize literary techniques to critique the pervasive issues of corruption and its impact on Nigerian society.
- Corruption in the Judiciary and Law Enforcement
- The Role of Incompetent Leadership
- The Permeation of Corruption Across Social Institutions
- The Exploitation of the Poor and Vulnerable
- The Cyclical Nature of Corruption and its Societal Impact
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for analyzing corruption and incompetence in post-independence Nigerian literature. It positions the selected novels within the broader theme of protest literature in Africa, highlighting the authors' critical engagement with societal ills and the role of Nigerian novelists in shaping African literary discourse. The introduction sets the stage for a comparative analysis of how Iyayi, Achebe, and Obodumu depict the pervasive issue of corruption and its consequences.
Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Iyayi's Violence: Iyayi's Violence vividly portrays the moral decay in Nigerian society from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The novel exposes widespread corruption within the judiciary, police force, and civil service. The judiciary is depicted as ineffectual, failing to prosecute even blatant acts of corruption by the wealthy, while the police are shown to discriminate against the poor and vulnerable. The civil service is similarly plagued by corruption, with preferential treatment given to those who can offer bribes. The hospital, a microcosm of the broader societal issues, demonstrates the lack of proper healthcare for the poor and emphasizes the prevalence of bribery. Iyayi’s narrative argues that systemic corruption extends to the highest levels of government, suggesting that even those in power are complicit in the widespread malfeasance. The novel underscores the brutal realities faced by ordinary Nigerians caught in this corrupt system, illustrating the violence inherent in the denial of basic rights and opportunities.
Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Achebe's Anthills of the Savannah: Published eight years after Iyayi's Violence, Achebe's Anthills of the Savannah depicts a more sophisticated and entrenched form of corruption within the context of military dictatorship. The novel reveals a system where political appointments are based on personal relationships rather than merit, fostering incompetence and sycophancy. The narrative utilizes multiple narrators to expose the moral bankruptcy of those in power. Achebe critiques the lack of political morality and the self-serving nature of officials. The police force is similarly portrayed as corrupt, indifferent to the suffering of the populace, and actively engaged in exploitation. The novel powerfully demonstrates how corruption not only undermines the rule of law but also destroys human dignity, showcasing the insidious nature of power and its potential for abuse.
Keywords
Corruption, Incompetence, Nigerian Literature, Post-Independence Africa, Political Corruption, Social Commentary, Judicial Corruption, Police Brutality, Civil Service Corruption, Protest Literature, Moral Decay, Inequality, Military Dictatorship, Authoritarianism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Corruption and Incompetence in Post-Independence Nigerian Novels
What novels are analyzed in this paper?
This paper analyzes three Nigerian novels: Festus Iyayi's Violence, Chinua Achebe's Anthills of the Savannah, and Kris Obodumu's Die a Little. The analysis focuses on the depiction of corruption and incompetence within the Nigerian political and social landscape.
What is the main objective of this paper?
The main objective is to examine how these three authors utilize literary techniques to critique the pervasive issues of corruption and its impact on Nigerian society. It explores the portrayal of corruption across various institutions and its consequences for ordinary Nigerians.
What are the key themes explored in the novels?
Key themes include corruption in the judiciary and law enforcement, the role of incompetent leadership, the permeation of corruption across social institutions (including hospitals and the civil service), the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable, and the cyclical nature of corruption and its societal impact.
How does Iyayi's Violence portray corruption?
Iyayi's Violence vividly portrays the moral decay in Nigerian society from the 1960s to the early 1980s. It exposes widespread corruption within the judiciary, police force, and civil service, highlighting the impunity enjoyed by the wealthy and the suffering of the poor. The novel emphasizes the systemic nature of corruption and its violent consequences for ordinary citizens.
How does Achebe's Anthills of the Savannah depict corruption?
Achebe's Anthills of the Savannah, set within the context of military dictatorship, depicts a more sophisticated and entrenched form of corruption. It reveals a system where political appointments are based on personal relationships, fostering incompetence and sycophancy. The novel critiques the lack of political morality and the self-serving nature of officials, showing how corruption undermines the rule of law and destroys human dignity.
What is the overall scope of the analysis?
The analysis provides chapter summaries, highlighting key aspects of each novel's portrayal of corruption. It offers a comparative perspective, examining similarities and differences in how the authors approach the theme, and situates the novels within the broader context of protest literature in Africa.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Corruption, Incompetence, Nigerian Literature, Post-Independence Africa, Political Corruption, Social Commentary, Judicial Corruption, Police Brutality, Civil Service Corruption, Protest Literature, Moral Decay, Inequality, Military Dictatorship, and Authoritarianism.
- Quote paper
- Abdullahi Haruna (Author), 2019, The Themes of Corruption and Incompetence in the Novels of Three Nigerian Writers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470744
