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