A Man of the People Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 8 Summary

Chapter 8 Summary

Odili feels the night's humiliation only after Max leaves for court. He had been able to do nothing about it. He wonders if Elsie will spend another night and thinks briefly of placing an anonymous phone call. He wonders now whether all the trivial thoughts filling his mind had been a smokescreen for weighty decisions taking form. He recalls a teacher's recommendation he read all the questions on an exam and start answering the easiest ones, allowing his subconscious to sort the others out. Manhood demands he avenge Nanga's shameful treatment, and Odili suddenly realizes he can do this through the intended parlor wife. Odili is cheerful when Max comes home and over dinner tells the story lightly, playing down humiliation and playing up revenge. Max agrees putting juju on the woman will catch the old rotter. Max says Nanga shows what happens when intelligent people abandon politics.

That night,...
(read more)