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 Core Themes
This paper examines the pervasive issues of corruption and administrative incompetence within the Nigerian socio-political landscape as depicted in three significant African novels. The study explores how these literary works serve as a critique of post-independence governance, specifically focusing on the failure of state institutions to serve the common citizen.
- Analysis of moral and institutional decay in post-independence Nigeria.
- Critique of the judiciary, civil service, and police force in the selected narratives.
- Examination of economic policies and their impact on the marginalized population.
- Exploration of the role of literature as a social comment on political instability.
- Discussion of leadership failure and the resulting dehumanization of the masses.
Excerpt from the Book
Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Iyayi’s Violence
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. The plot of the novel is based on corruption, which incompetent leaders of the time have allowed to permeate the social life of the Nigerian society. The judiciary the civil service and the business community are portrayed as infested with corrupt officials who use crooked means to enrich themselves at the expense of the ordinary citizens who constitute the larger percentage of the population.
The judicial arm of the government, which is charged with the responsibility of ensuring law and order in the society, is portrayed as thoroughly corrupt. Emergency contractors could collect mobilization fees from the government and fail to execute the contract for which the money is issued and are not prosecuted. Due to incompetence and corruption on the side of the court officials, cases are not treated promptly with the view of dispensing justice. Suspects are locked up in police cells and forgotten about. This is where individuals are not granted opportunity for fair hearing. The inmates are simply dehumanized. A suspect’s chance of obtaining “justice” depends on how much he could offer the police. In the cells, inmates urinate on the floor and pass faeces into a common bucket. The absence of periodic inspection by judicial officials allows the police to indulge in inhuman activities. The physical structures at the station are not properly cared for. Even when money is given for the maintenance of the police stations, the money is shared out and squandered by the judicial officials and no punitive measure is ever taken against them. That is to suggest that even those at the upper rungs of the political ladder are not themselves clean of corruption.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a contextual overview of African literature as protest writing and introduces the focus on corruption and incompetence in three key Nigerian novels.
Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Iyayi’s Violence: Analyzes the depiction of systemic decay within the judiciary, police, and civil service, highlighting the dehumanization of citizens.
Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Achebe’s Anthills of The Savannah: Explores how military dictatorship, sycophancy, and lack of political morality exacerbate corruption and public suffering.
Theme of Corruption and Incompetence in Obodumu’s Die A Little.: Examines the socio-economic impact of Structural Adjustment Programmes and the resulting collapse of social structures.
Summary and Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, noting that while the depicted societies are marked by corruption, there remains a latent potential for resistance among the masses.
Keywords
African literature, Corruption, Incompetence, Nigeria, Iyayi, Achebe, Obodumu, Post-independence, Social protest, Judiciary, Police brutality, Civil service, Economic policy, Structural Adjustment Programme, Social justice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
This paper focuses on analyzing the recurring themes of corruption and governmental incompetence in Nigeria as portrayed in three specific literary works.
Which novels are central to the thematic study?
The study centers on Festus Iyayi’s "Violence", Chinua Achebe’s "Anthills of the Savannah", and Kris Obodumu’s "Die a Little".
What is the primary objective of the author?
The primary objective is to investigate how these novelists use their works to protest against political and social ills endemic to the Nigerian governmental system.
What research methodology is employed?
The author employs a literary analysis methodology, examining character portrayals, plot developments, and thematic representations of state institutions.
What key sectors of society are analyzed in the main text?
The analysis covers the police force, the judiciary, the civil service, and the healthcare sector, showing how corruption permeates these essential public services.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Keywords include African literature, corruption, incompetence, protest literature, and socio-economic critique.
How does "Anthills of the Savannah" depict the military leadership?
It portrays the leadership as intellectually hollow and morally bankrupt, using dictatorship to mask massive fraud and systemic inefficiency.
In what way does "Die a Little" link economic policy to social decay?
The novel connects the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) to the retrenchment of workers and the subsequent breakdown of community ethics due to poverty.
Does the author see any hope for the common man in these novels?
The author suggests that while the protagonists often suffer, there are instances—such as the protest in "Die a Little"—that indicate the latent power of the masses to challenge injustice.
- Citation du texte
- Abdullahi Haruna (Auteur), 2019, The Themes of Corruption and Incompetence in the Novels of Three Nigerian Writers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470744
