Techniques Used by Chinua Achebe in "Anthills of the Savannah"

Techniques Used by Chinua Achebe in "Anthills of the Savannah"

  • Submitted By: nzfezzpop
  • Date Submitted: 03/14/2009 6:32 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 665
  • Page: 3
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--- ENGLISH ESSAY ---
In “Anthills of the Savannah” by Chinua Achebe, Sam is the prominent self elected “President for life” of the military regime in the fictional state of Kangan, the novel is seen directly through the eyes of three witnesses, Chris Oriko, Ikem Osodi and Beatrice okoh, whom are affiliated with Sam. These three witnesses’ characteristics are used as a means to convey the personality of Sam. For instance Sam’s reclusive nature means all through the three friends (Sam, Chris, and Ikem) lives, he has acted as the "buffer” and mediator between the athletic and outgoing Sam and the intelligent and pensive Ikem. Another example is that of Beatrice’s basis on sophistication, independence and intelligence that brings a moderately moral glint into an erratic and unbalanced government.
Sam is also an important character in that the state of kangan and Sam himself directly reflect Chinua Achebe’s experiences with military regimes. Born in the Igbo village of Ogidi in south-eastern Nigeria, and having grown up in Nigeria, Chinua had his eyes opened up to the world when the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967 , Achebe became a devoted supporter of Biafran independence serving as an ambassador for the people of the new nation. This is an almost identical situation to that of the region of Abazon in his novel that to Sam’s complete dismay refused to recognize him as “president for life”, we see Sam’s anger at this rebellion through his heavy tone at the beginning of the book “I will not go to Abazon!”
Sam’s personality is revealed heavily in the conflicts he has with different people in his realm. Ikem is the outspoken and reform-minded editor of the state-owned National Gazette, it is his job to reverberate and broadcast Sam's messages to the people, which is one of Sam's ways of feeling that he is radiating power from the capitol out to the people. Ikem however believes strongly that the press should be free and independent of government...

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