the Hon. Sam Okoli, M. H. R. The worst was now over, and Obi ought to have felt happier. But he didn’t 193.
People say that taking bribes is not a big thing and they used to do it but Obi Okonkwo feels that he does not like taking bribes; he feels that he is
uncomfortable doing that. People say that one gets used to these things, but he had not found it like that at all 193.
The author’s direct comments, Obi Okonkwo’s reactions toward the various situations and events, and his thought give explanation that Obi Okonkwo
is an idealistic person. Even though in the end of the story Obi Okonkwo is not as idealistic as in the beginning of the story because he decides to take bribes but his
feeling guilty, unhappy and uncomfortable has shown that he is still an idealistic person.
4. Responsible
Obi Okonkwo’s thought about his family condition shows that he is a responsible person. Since Obi Okonkwo’s family live in a poor condition, his
parents work hard in order to survive. Even though Obi’s parents work hard, they do not have enough money to make a living. When Obi Okonkwo comes home,
he cannot sleep because he keeps thinking about his family condition. He realizes that his parents are old now so that they are not strong enough to work hard in
order to survive. Obi Okonkwo feels that he is responsible for his family. Obi did not sleep for a long time after he had lain down. He thought about
his responsibilities. It was clear that his parents could no longer stand on their own. They had never relied on his father’s meager pension. He
planted yams and his wife planted cassava and coco yams. She also made
soap from leachings of palm ash and oil and sold it to the villagers for a little profit. But now they were too old for these things. 69
Obi Okonkwo makes a decision that he will help his parents. He feels that
it is important to help his parents so that his family can live in a good condition and his brother can continue his school. Therefore, he decides to give some of his
salary to his family. “I must give them a monthly allowance from my salary.” How much?
Could he afford ten pounds? If only he did not have to pay back twenty pounds a month to the Umofia Progressive Union. Then there was John’s
school fees. “We’ll manage somehow,” he said aloud to himself. “One cannot have it
both ways. There are many young men in this country today who would sacrifice themselves to get the opportunity I have had.” 69-70
Since Obi Okonkwo is responsible for his younger brother’s school fee, he pays it when he has much money because he thinks that he might not be able to do
it if he has no money for it. But sixteen pounds ten shillings was to go into brother John’s school fees
for second term, which began in April. Obi knew that unless he paid the fees now that he had a lump sum in his pocket he might not be able to do
so when the time came. 143 Obi Okonkwo’s sense of responsibility is also proved by his unwillingness
to receive money from Clara to cancel his overdraft. Obi feels that the overdraft is his responsiblity. At the beginning he does not tell Clara about the overdraft but
finally Clara knows it. Obi tells Clara that it is not important to tell her about his overdraft. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked when he had told her about the
overdraft. “Well, there was no need. I’ll pay it easily in five months installments.” 116.
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
