Theory question 201
Other Set Texts: African ProseLiterature 3, Section A: African Prose. Chinua Achebe: Anthills of the Savannah
Discuss the theme of friendship in the novel.
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Sam (His Excellency), Chris Oriko and Ikem Osodi were friends from their school days at Lord Byron's College.
When Sam becomes Head of State he makes Chris Commissioner for Information; Ikem is editor of the National Gazette.
Power destroys the friendship: Sam becomes suspicious and dictatorial, Ikem criticises the government, and Chris is caught in between.
Sam orders Ikem's dismissal; Ikem is later murdered by security men; Chris refuses to betray Ikem and has to flee.
Sam is himself overthrown and killed; Chris is shot by a policeman on the way north.
Genuine friendships survive: Beatrice and Chris, Beatrice and Elewa, Chris and Emmanuel and Braimoh, the people who shelter Chris.
At the end the surviving friends gather for the naming of Elewa's baby, suggesting hope.
Conclusion: Achebe shows how personal friendship is corrupted when mixed with power.
Use events from the novel.