Thesis statement
Chinua Achebe a world over recognized Nigerian writer is a seminal role player in the founding and development of African literature, considered among the world’s significant writers, known for the 1958 Things Fall Apart as a groundbreaking novel is the key element in analyzing generational politics. Played a significant role in political and social postcolonial state anesthetics analysis in Africa.
Introduction
Chinua Achebe wrote the novel “A man of the people”. This novel explained two groups of people that were politically and socially based in the west part of Africa. The two groups of people were contrasting in many ways. The characters in the novel represent well the old and new generation in politics. Odili represent the intellectuals generation while Chief Nanga represent the old style of politics. Conflicts existed between the old and new groups of politics. Disagreements and quarrels on political and women issues appear to be common in the place. Through Chinua Achebe’s experiences in West Africa, he convinced people to be a prophet than a political scientist. He highlighted energy and brightness in West African politics. He did not forget the negative side of violence and corruption (Chinua 1).
Chinua Achebe is a voice in Africa. He was born in 1930. He was given birth to a father who was a teacher as well as Christian evangelist. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe is his full names. He undertook broadcasting and was awarded with BA in 1953. During his course, he influenced Nigerian politics by writing about 300 books. He focused on specific group of people. He became interested not only on those who were able to read, but also those who were above the basic level in education with enough money. His intentions were to get wider market to sell his books. He was concern about his country, but it was irony that his books are more popular in other countries. He became happy about this because powerful countries and the entire world will understand the lifestyles of West African people.
Achebe’s brought out clearly that, in West Africa some politicians are approachable, but do not do what they say. Most politicians preached water and took wine. For example, monies meant for communities, they divert them to other works, which might, be personal. Some of West Africa leaders are selfish and greedy. They take advantage of public funds for their own use. Instead of defending common man, they disregard their beliefs of African culture. Achebe then became interested on politics of West Africa, and especially focused on the power switch between politicians of the old and new generation. As the old politicians cross over to a new generation, they become greedier. Politicians act as intermediates between government and the common man. They are expected to be role models; but they are evil because of what they do. They become greedy and win elections through corruption. Corruption entails using money to bribe and ideas that politicians might be against in the beginning. However, they tend to get closer to common people and hence become the most trusted. Politicians avoid relationships with intellectuals whose lifestyle and thinking resemble that of Europeans. The old generation politicians are extremely keen on people’s culture and the way of thinking. They obtain their personal issues like funds, authority and women in vicarious way (Chinua 36).
Corruption is a weapon used to eliminate the old generation politicians. Those who join politics for the first time respect their seniors, but as soon as they realize their evil deeds they disregard them. This only happens when junior persons join politics and intermingle with other politicians. This becomes the right time to understand the real characters of politics. The funny side of it, some politicians before joining politics they are role models of many. Politics is a dirty game that changes other people characters drastically, Achebe said. Interactions of old and new politicians compromise the juniors to practice all sorts of corrupt deals. When joining politics, they are poor, but within a short time they become rich. Achebe focused on this issue so much. His opinions pointed out on abuse of public funds for politicians own use. Removing politicians from power, they see it like it is end of their lives.
Having a voice in politics is an avenue to win elections. Achebe brought out clearly that politicians have their own tactics of winning elections. For example, some of West African politicians aired their voices to say what people require to hear. Selection of uttered word helps them to get approval from their audiences. A Politician voice should represent people’s way of thinking and voices. The appropriate voice of politician is the one that guard common people against European’s livelihood and thoughts. It should address African culture to its fullest. Methods and techniques of politics applied should convince people. According to Achebe, manipulation of people takes place in West African people. The powerful and trusted voices are vote for during elections (Chinua 86).
Behind every politician are thugs. These thugs attend to politicians needs to ensure they emerge winners. Politicians should be strong and passionate on their work. Through this, they win. Thugs and women worship on them. Common people cannot read politicians evil deeds since politicians sweet-talk them in public. Politicians, who are sensitive to wrong doings, team up to campaign against corrupt and self centered governments. This always leads to the emergence of new parties. West Africa is one of the countries whose parties grow day by day. Hypocrisy is a common vice in West Africa. Hypocrisy is most among the old generation politicians. They campaign against their competitors by using false statements. They refer others as practicing European livelihood and the way of thinking. Betrayal and revenge are part of West African politics. Some politicians snatch other’s girlfriends. When victims become bitter, they promise to revenge in one way or another. For example, they promise to defeat them during elections (Chinua 104)
Conclusion
Achebe portrayed to be a prophet of his country. He became interested in the dirty politics of West Africa, which was dominated by violence, corruption, revenge, racism, hypocrisy and immorality. Political motivation is influenced by factors that control their behavior. The methods applied are determined by these factors. The most applied methods are: use of power and violence, use of discovery and curiosity, use of corruption and greedy deals and use of revenge among others. To vie in West Africa one must have a motive. Motives can be issues like revenge or showing off. Some old generation may want to confirm that they are powerful than the new ones. Some may want to start new parties to undermine others. Some politicians are greed for powers and hence use violence ways like misuse public funds to get themselves prestigious things. They hire thugs to murder. Racism is another vice which is portrayed in West Africa politics. There should be various voices in order to get rid of racism (Chinua 68).
Work cited
Achebe, Chinua. A Man of the People. London: Heinemann Educational, 1988. Print.
Achebe, Chinua. Anthills of the Savannah. Oxford: Heinemann, 1997. Print.
Achebe, Chinua. Home and Exile. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.
