From the statements, it is known that Obi does not want to give any burden to Clara and he feels that he is the one who is responsible for that overdraft. After
knowing that Obi is in difficulty, Clara wants to help him so she gives Obi a parcel that contains fifty pounds so that Obi can cancel the overdraft. However,
Obi does not want to receive the money. All the way from Ikoyi to Yaba he was thinking how best he could make
her take the money back. He knew it was going to be difficult, if not impossible. But it was quite out of the question for him to take fifty
pounds from her. The question was how to make her take it back without hurting her. 123
In the end, Clara’s fifty pounds was stolen. Obi feels that he has to change
the money. After Clara’s abortion Obi makes a decision that he has to find money and give it to Clara.
He had taken a firm decision about Clara’s fifty pounds. He must find it in the next two months and pay it into her bank. Perhaps they would get over
the present crisis, perhaps not. But whatever happened, he must return the money. 176
It is clear that from the author’s direct comments, Obi Okonkwo’s thoughts, and speeches the reader can see that Obi Okonkwo is a responsible
person. Obi Okonkwo’s way of thinking, including his willingness to help his family shows that he is a responsible person.
5. Educated
Obi Okonkwo is an educated person. Obi Okonkwo is an educated person who got his degree from a western education. We have brought him Western
education 4. It is not difficult to find out that Obi Okonkwo is an educated person. There are many reasons that show Obi Okonkwo is an educated person.
After Obi Okonkwo gives speeches to the audience at his reception, the chairman asks whether Obi Okonkwo has got a job or not. Obi answered that he will have
his job interview on Monday. The chairman believes that an educated person like Obi will not have any difficulties in finding a job. “Of course those of you who
know book will not have any difficulty,” said the Vice-Presidents on Obi’s left 38.
When Obi Okonkwo talks to Joseph about his job interview, Joseph told Obi Okonkwo that he is an educated person. An educated person may have great
knowledge and this is what Joseph tells to Obi. “You know more book than I, but I am older and wiser 46-47. This sentence shows that in Joseph’s point of view,
Obi Okonkwo is an educated and knowledgeable person. As an educated person Obi Okonkwo is aware of his surroundings. When
he is on the way to go to Umofia, there were two policemen who stopped the car and asked the driver about the roadworthiness of the car. When the driver’s mate
approached the policemen, Obi looked in their direction. Obi knows that the driver’s mate was going to give the policemen some money. The policemen
thought that Obi is a C.I.D man so the policemen act angrily and ask the driver’s mate to go away. On the other hand, the other policeman had found fault with the
driver’s paper then the driver begged the policemen and drove away. The driver was not comfortable with Obi’s action so he complained to Obi.
“Why you look the man for face when we want give um him two shillings?” he asked Obi.
“Because he has no right to take two shillings from you,” Obi answered. “Na him make I no de want carry you book people,” he complained. “Too
too know na him de worry una. Why you put your nose for matter way no concern you? Now that policeman go charge me like ten shillings.50
In his office, Obi Okonkwo’s education is admitted by his colleague. When Mr. Omo asks Obi Okonkwo to sign a document, he tells Obi that he asks
for Obi’s stamp. Obi does not know about the intended information. Obi thought Mr. Omo asks for a stamp. Therefore, Mr. Omo wonders whether such an
educated person like Obi does not know about such things. Finally, Obi understands after Mr. Omo explains to Obi about the information he wants to
convey. “Where is your stamp?” he asked as soon as Obi arrived.
“What stamp?” asked Obi. “You get B.A but you no know say you have to affix stamp to
agreement?” Mr. Omo laughed a laugh of derision. He had very bad teeth blackened by
cigarettes and kola nuts. One was missing in front, and when he laughed the gap looked like a vacant plot in a slum. His junior clerks laughed with
him out of loyalty. “You think Government give you sixty pounds without signing
agreement?” It was only then that Obi understood what it was all about. He was to
receive sixty pounds outfit allowance. 76
Since Obi Okonkwo is educated, Obi’s friend is proud of him. That is why every time he hung up the phone he talks impressively about Obi Okonkwo’s
degree to his colleagues. Joseph always put on impressive manner when speaking on the telephone.
He never spoke Ibo or pidgin English at such moments. When he hung up he told his colleagues: “That na my brother. Just return from overseas.
B.A. Honors Classics.” 88 Another reason can be seen from the direct comments of the author. When
Obi Okonkwo is caught, there is a direct comment from the author which stated that Obi Okonkwo is an educated person.
Everybody wondered why. The learned judge, as we have seen, could not comprehend how and educated young man and so on and so forth. The
British Council man, even the men of Umofia, did not know. And we must presume that, in spite of his certitude, Mr. Green did not know either.
194 In the court the author states that the judge wonders whether a man in such
degree of education corrupts. Obi’s listlessness did not show any signs of decreasing even when the
judge began to sum up. It was only when he said: “I cannot comprehend how a young man of your education and brilliant promise could have done
this” that a sudden and marked change occurred. 2
According to how the character reacts toward the various situations and events, author’s direct comments, and also the character as seen by another it can
be seen that Obi Okonkwo is an educated person.
6. Loving and Caring
