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ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH
Character Analysis: Chris Oriko
Introduction to Chris
The Commissioner for Information, member of cabinet
and believer of national reform, Christopher Oriko is
one of the main characters in Chinua Achebe’s book
“Anthills of the Savannah.”
In the politically charged setting of the fictional African
nation of Kangan, Chris’ character is a tool which
enables readers to understand the situation of modern
day Africa. The former editor of the National Gazette
and educated at Lord Lugard College, Chris is
symbolic of the colonial influence in Africa, the
evolution of African society and Africa’s hope of
genuine, veracious leaders.
Throughout the novel Chris’ character takes on a
progressive, evolutionary role. From before the events
narrated in the book Chris had already been established
as a man of good character. Beatrice, speaking in
Chapter 7, remembers Chris as a considerate and
reserved person. He was also described as the middle of
the two extremes of Ikem’s intellectualism and Sam’s
socialite attitude. Many changes occur in him as
progressing events reshape Chris as he struggles with
the atmospheres of liberal extremism and total
conformism due to fear and inaction.
Character Development
In the opening six chapters of the novel, we can
immediately see the changes in Chris after being
thrust into a position of power. He has become more
sarcastic and witty while holding a willful disdain of
the top of the political spectrum. “Keep your mouth
shut, for nothing is safe, not even the flattery we
have become such experts in disguising as debate.”
Chris has also become the opposing force in the
story. He often contradicts with the views of Sam
and admits his animosity towards the other
members of cabinet for allowing the birth of a “baby
monster.”
Character Development
At this point in the story it is natural for Chris to have
become this indifferent to politics. This is because he was
thrust from the third person viewpoint of a writer into an
actual position of power. He had become a part of the
inefficient bureaucracy of corrupt politicians running the
country on inaction. It is ironic that at this point Chris is in
a position of power and yet he is powerless in stopping
the exploitation of his people and powerless to change
society for the better. This alienation, frustration and
indifference towards politics has lead to a non-conformist
attitude of constant opposition towards the members of
cabinet and His Excellency.
Character Development
In the latter parts of the book, Chris undergoes another
metamorphosis. After Ikem’s death. Chris gains a new
perception of the harsh realities of political and social
life in Kangan. The people who are expected to be the
guiding light of the country are the ones most
susceptible to the allure of greater power and most of
them are only considering personal gain. During his
escape from his political enemies to Abazon, Chris
experiences life as a common person and so regains a
connection with his people and his country, an
important factor that the current leaders have lost.
Character Development
Towards the end of the book, during his death, in a
moment of complete lucidity, Chris discerns that
man has limited power and that their failure was the
refusal to acknowledge that limitation. He is freed
from the delusion of self perceived power. He also
recognizes that life and power are like the little
green bottles standing perilously on the wall, that
can fall without notice.
Character Development
Ikem is one of Chris’ closest friends, having known
each other since their days in Lord Lugard College.
However, as time went on their relationship took a
downward spiral. We can see this in their arguments
in the story. It seems their relationship started to
become sour when Chris was promoted over Ikem
because Ikem had always been the more intellectual
character. Between the two of them, Chris is less
idealistic and more willing to compromise. Beatrice
even says that Chris is more reasonable, “damn too
reasonable.” Even though they have drifted apart in
some ways, their friendship remains intact. Chris
often protects Ikem from the consequences of his
crusading editorials and open calls for reform.
Relationships: Ikem
Together they attempt to make Sam understand
that he is deluding himself with the image of
omnipotent ruler. Chris also tries to prevent Ikem’s
death by suggesting that he lay low for a while.
Another sign of genuine concern for his friend. It is
ironic that Ikem’s death came when Chris was no
longer in a position to protect him despite Ikem
saying that Sam wouldn’t be capable of having
people killed.
Relationships: Ikem
Beatrice is Chris’ girlfriend. She is a well educated
and good looking woman. In Chapter 8 Beatrice says
that Chris was the one who did all the wooing. Chris
naturally holds a special relationship with her and in
Chapter 5 says that Beatrice is someone whom he
holds dear to himself. He often talks about his love
of her, her apparent innocence and being the
priestess of the unknown God. Chris’ relationship
with her is important as it gives us a third person
view of Chris’ qualities. Beatrice describes Chris as
being “damn too reasonable”, understanding,
gentle, reserved and calm.
Relationships: Beatrice
Friends ever since childhood, the two have since
fallen out of favor with each other after the coup the
deposed the former civilian government. Sam views
Chris as a potential threat because he is resolute in
serving the people and not serving his interests.
Their relationship did not deteriorate until the failed
memorandum for Sam to be President-for-life. Their
relationship is important because it is what
motivates Chris in reforming the country in order to
avoid the disaster a dictator will bring. Their
relationship is also what makes Chris realize the
corrupting allure of power and weakness of the
government.
Relationships: Sam
Chris believes that their society glorifies and
glamorizes the life of an Englishman too much and
this has lead to the rift between the rich
discriminating against the poor. Chris also believes
in the difficulty of living as a common person. This
viewpoint has been lost by many of the learned
members of African society that they have lost
touch with the common person. Chris is also a
supporter of political reform having experienced first
hand the inefficiency and corruption in the
government.
Views on Society
Chris becomes a key indication of the way in which
Achebe, despite his unflinching portrayal of violence
and corruption in postcolonial Africa in Anthills, also
indicates hope for a better future. Chris and Ikem's
resistance helps expose the hollowness of Sam's
self-perception as an omnipotent ruler. He is a
counter to the corruption and ruthless personal
ambition that inform much of the postcolonial
politics of Kangan. Chris is also the midpoint in
which we see the differences of extreme liberalism
in Ikem and conformism in the corrupt officials.
Achebe’s intentions
Chris is a representation of the influence of
colonialization. He had been educated in a British
school which is very much like the modern day
African intellectuals choosing to study abroad. Chris
is also a representation of the leaders Africa hopes
for and needs. He was a leader who pursued the
interest of the people (the Abazon plea) and not his
own. Chris’ character is also used to symbolize the
rift being formed between the new generation and
its roots as young people become more focused on
aloof idealism rather than staying down to earth and
in touch with the everyday person.
Reflections on modern day Africa
"We wouldn't be so backward if we weren't so bent
on remaining so...“
"To succeed as small man no be small thing.“
“Better to overrate your enemy than to underrate
him."
“It is amazing how the intellectual envies the man of
action.”
-“…and particularly to keep your mouth shut, for
nothing is safe, not even the flattery we have
become such experts in disguising as debate.”
Quotes
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