mmon saying that "after Independence ... it didn't matter what you knew but who you knew." (p. 19) He iswilling, with some reservations, to work within this situation to achieve positive political influence and a measure ofself-advancement. It is a situation where "a long American car driven by a white-uniformed chauffeur and flying a ministerial flagcould pass through the eye of a needle." (p. 63) Odili, however, is a young man full of doubts and is projected by Achebe ashaving a limited understanding of his own motives. Does he proceed from high ideals or from a desire for revenge on Nanga foralienating the affections of his girlfriend? He constantly questions his motives and, by implication, those of all who would enterthe house of the elite. He begins to see the essentially relative value of his principles. Going to University "with the clear intentionof coming out again after three years as a full member of the privileged class whose symbol was the car," he undergoes a radicalchange. He vows "never to be corrupted by bourgeois privileges" and yet now, as a paid political organiser for the C.P.C., hefinds himself motoring around the country in a party car. He attempts to answer his own question: How important was my political activity in its own right? It was difficult to say: things seemed so mixed up; my revenge, my new political ambition and the girl. (p. 121)It is apparent that Odili's constant self-questioning plays an important role - as catalyst and as debater - in Achebe'spersonalisation process.Chief Nanga is characterised as a man of clearly defined 'principles'. He does not question his motives. He is in the house ofpower and intends to remain there. Despite Achebe's satiric thrusts, Nanga is projected as being a man of certainty. He is seento have correctly appreciated the national situation and made full use of his opportunities. In this respect, the figure of Nanga issurrounded by a field of values that are pro...
