Language and Characterization in Achebe's A Man of the People

Abstract

This paper pays attention to language and characterization in Achebe's A Man of The People. It is revealed that Achebe uses relatively few women such as: Elsie to represent young unmarried women, Mrs. Agnes Akilo to represent professionals. He also uses Jean to represent whites. Eunice is used to represent the brave and Mrs. Nanga to represent house wives. Also, two different generations of politics are brought to light, namely the new intellectual generation represented by Odili and the old style of bush politics represented by chief. Discussing language and characterization in Achebe's A man of the people, because the author uses both female and male characters, the following female characters had been considered in this write up: Mrs. Nanga, Edna, Elsie, Eunice, Agnes Akilo (the barrister), Mrs. Eleanor John, Jean, Ego Women together with the male characters such as; Chief Nanga, Odili Samalu, Mr. Nwege Chief Koko, Josia The Prime Minister and Mathew. While women are seen as important tools that contribute to men's success in politics, sex tool, influential, people who are stiffened by cultural beliefs, immoral, celebrated trophies, brave, intelligent and obedient, the males on the other hand are seen to be selfish, sexually greedy, wicked, proud, tricky, optimistic, foolish ambitious and oppressors. It is finally revealed that the image of women is generally portrayed as indeterminate human beings, dependent, gullible and voiceless. Paradoxically, it is these same women who are presented as sublime, perfect, beautiful, brave, caring and nurturing.