Transgressions and sanctions in two Nigerian novels

Abstract

The Igbos make up one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They are both egalitarian and patriarchal in nature and they believe in the principles of justice and fairness. Consequently, they operate a cultural worldview which compels every member of the society to operate by the society’s rules and standards of behaviour and the transgression of which attracts some sanction. As a patriarchal society, they place a high premium on paternal honour and respect. This is reflected in one of their proverbs: “Nwata tulie nna ya elu, ogodo nna ya ayochie ya anya”. (A child who dishonours his father by treating him like a toy is blinded by the father’s loin cloth/scrotum). This illustrates the fact that the Igbos demand for justice on acts of paternal/parental dishonour. This proverb is brought home in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958, henceforth Things) and Adichie's Purple Hibiscus (2006, henceforth, Purple), two novels set in Igbo community and authored by Igbo writers. These two works are related in their heroes’ dishonourable treatment of their fathers and the grievous sanctions that come with such despicable acts. This essay adopts the above Igbo proverb and Jeremy Collier’s postulation which states that: “…the business of literature is to recommend virtue and discountenance vice…” (97). It argues that the protagonists’ transgression of the Igbo code of filial relationship spells their disastrous end, and concludes on the note that Achebe and Adichie, two Nigerian Igbo writers, inscribe their cultural worldview and identity in these novels.