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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Finish the quote said by Odili in Chapter 1: "For what is modesty but ________________?"

2. Whom does Odili visit at the beginning of Chapter 6?

3. From where does Chief Nanga get his bus-investment money?

4. Odili finds Elsie's friend at the hospital -- intended for Chief Nanga -- to be:

5. How does Odili state his view of Elsie to Chief Nanga?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Chief Nanga remember Odili?

2. What attitudes do the foreigners at the dinner conversation seem to have toward Africa, and how do they demonstrate such?

3. What two admirable qualities does Chief Nanga demonstrate in Chapter 1, and how?

4. What is ironic about Chief Koko's reaction to drinking OHMS?

5. How do Odili and Elsie meet?

6. In what way does Jean primarily reveal her insensitivity towards Nigeria and Nigerians?

7. How does Chief Nanga speak to Mr. Jalio, and for what reason?

8. Why does Odili envy Peter?

9. Why is Odili's next-door neighbor in college called "Irre"?

10. Describe Odili in his first encounter with Elsie in Chapter 6.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alone of all the political characters in the story, Odili rejects every sort of political corruption. Explicate and analyze this severe contrast between the absolute idealism of Odili, the absolute corruption and self-interest of Chief Nanga, and the practical abuse of corrupt individuals by Maxwell. Who is the most morally persuasive of the characters, and why?

Essay Topic 2

A major theme that runs throughout "A Man of the People" is the importance and perception of education. Discuss how education factors into the plot of the story: How does it affect the characters' dispositions? Does it have an influence on their political ideologies? What is the overall tone of the book toward education?

Essay Topic 3

As part of the political corruption in the story, there is a strong irony in some of the governmental appointments. For example, Chief Nanga is the Minister of Culture and yet does not even know one of the country's most famous authors, nor can he remember the title of his song. Are there any other ironic governmental appointments in the story? What does this reveal about the manner of ministerial appointment in the country? What does this irony help accomplish in the plot of the story?

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