A Man of the People

A dynamic character is one who changes throughout the course of the story; a static character does not change. Is Odili dynamic or static? What evidence exists in the text to support your choice?

Do you think Hezekiah (Odili’s father) has changed by the end of the story, or is it Odili’s perception of him that changes? What examples in the text support your answer?

Nanga says that he invites Odili to stay with him in Bori in order to talk to Chief Koko, but is this the real reason behind the invitation? What other motives do you think Nanga has in extending an invitation to Odili?

What is Nanga’s view on intellectuals? What evidence can you find to back up your thesis?

Chief Koko offers Max one thousand pounds to step out of politics, but Chief Nanga only offers Odili two-hundred-fifty pounds. Why does Odili receive so small an offer in comparison to Max?

Why did Odili want the C.P.C. to be free of corruption? What does this tell you about his character?

In what ways are Odili and Chief Nanga similar? In what ways are they different? What do these similarities and differences tell you about Odili?

Odili experiences envy at multiple points in the story. Who does he envy and why? What does that tell you about who he is, what he wants, and what he fears?