Summary

Chapter 1

This chapter opens with the focus resting on a young boy from the local village of Opi going to work at the 'Master's' house. His aunt is walking him there and tells him about the man that he will work for. She reminds him to say 'Yes, Sah" to everything. The reader learns that Ugwu's new boss teaches mathematics at the local university. It is obvious that Ugwu has never been out of his village as the city mesmerizes him. His Aunt got him this job and she warns him not to make her look bad, as she also works for Master Odenigbo.

Once inside, Ugwu is introduced to Odenigbo. Ugwu has never seen a house filled with so many books and feels very overwhelmed when his aunt leaves him there. Odenigbo walks in and Ugwu immediately notes that while...