'The Voter' Summary

Introduction

Chinua Achebe is a renowned Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. His works highlight the clash of Western and traditional African values. His style reflects Igbo oral tradition. The narration is peppered with folk stories, proverbs and oratory. Among his many works, ‘Things Fall Apart’, ‘Arrow of God’ are very popular.

Theme

“The Voter ''is a beautiful story symbolic of the entry of a new system of governance into the innocent settlements of native people in Africa. It shows how Igbo people fall prey to the snares of the western systems.The story also depicts how democratic exercise of the west introduced in Africa corrupts the innocent lgbo folks. Rufus Okeke, the protagonist is very popular in the village Umuofia, for he chose to stay back in his village instead of a bright future to guide his people in difficult times. Thus he had won their confidence.

When the story opens, it is election time to choose the new government. Rufus Okeke worked for the People’s Alliance Party headed by Marcus Ibe who had just entered politics. He earlier worked as a Mission school teacher before being thrown out of the school on a complaint. He plunged into politics and won the election. People of Umuofia elected him without any monetary demands on the words of Rufus Okeke. He became the Minister of Culture in the PAP government. Politics had changed his life phenomenally: he gained wealth, titles and honours. On the opening ceremony of his new house, he had arranged a great feast for his villagers. The people realised the magic of politics. They did not want to vote for him for free this time. Roof was a loyal follower of Marcus Ibe and very popular in his village. He understood the pulse of the people very well. He vehemently campaigned for Marcus. He had understood the change of villagers’ mind of late. So, he convinced the villagers by striking a bargain of 4 shillings. However, on the night of the election, the leader of the POP campaign team met Roof. The Progressive Organization Party had been formed by the tribes down the coast to save themselves from total political, cultural, social and religious annihilation. They knew that they would not win this time, they still wanted to make an impact. The campaign team offered Rufus 5 pounds to vote for Maduka. He accepted the offer swearing on Iyi hoping that his one vote would not make any difference.

On the voting day, he was in a dilemma. But, as he walked in to cast his vote, he was struck with a thought. He tore the ballot paper into two pieces and put one half in each box and came out as jauntily as ever. Rufus Okeke did what he thought would absolve him of all his guilt. This also shows how he manipulated the people and the situation for his advantage.

Conclusion

Chinua Achebe has captured magnificently how indigenous people are affected by the sweeping changes that politics brings about in a village in Africa which was unheard of until some point of time. He lays more emphasis on the degenerating native culture, language ethics and lifestyle before the alien western system. The evil hand of money in corrupting the innocent minds is apparent in the story.

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