How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Six or seven years ago Umuofians abroad had formed their Union with the aim of collecting money to send some of their brighter young men to study in England. They taxed themselves mercilessly. (1.39)
The hopes and dreams of Umuofians rest on the education of their sons, collectively. Education is the best way to bring honor and money to their home village.
Quote #2
Almost immediately, a cyclist crossed the road without looking back or giving any signal. Obi jammed on his brakes and his tires screamed on the tarmac. Clara let out a little scream and gripped his left arm. The cyclist looked back once and rode away, his ambition written for all to see on his black bicycle bag—FUTURE MINISTER. (2.21)
As they leave the slums, Obi almost hits a man on a bicycle. The cyclist's desire for an ambitious future represents a major theme of No Longer At Ease. According to the novel, we learn that, in Nigeria, anybody can become something if he is able and willing to play the game of bribery and corruption.
Quote #3
"Iguedo breeds great men," said Odogwu, changing the subject…." Today greatness has changed its tune. Titles are no longer great, neither are barns or large numbers o wives and children. Greatness is now in the things of the white man. And so we too have changed our tune. We are the first in all the nine villages to send our son to the white man's land. Greatness has belonged to Iguedo from ancient times. It is not made by man. You cannot plant greatness as you plant yams or maize. Who ever planted an iroko tree –the greatest tree in the forest? You may collect all the iroko seeds in the world, open the soil and put them there. It will be in vain. The great tree chooses where to grow and we find it there, so it is with greatness in men." (5.108)
The men of Umuofia see their destiny in this young man, Obi Okonkwo, who represents the fulfillment of their dreams. Part of Obi's fulfillment of that dream will be to embrace Western culture. In one sense, fulfilling these dreams necessarily means being alienated from his own people, though they do not yet see that.
Quote #4
"Last year," she said suddenly, "none of the girls in our school who got Grade One was given a scholarship."
"Perhaps they did not impress the Board."
"It wasn't that. It was because they did not see the members at home."
"So you intend to see the members?"
"Yes."
"Is a scholarship as important as all that? Why doesn't a relation of yours pay for you to go to a university?"
….
Obi felt very sorry for her [Elsie Mark]. She was obviously an intelligent girl who had set her mind, like so many other young Nigerians, on university education. And who could blame them? Certainly not Obi. It was rather sheer hypocrisy to ask if a scholarship was as important as all that or if a university education was worth it. Every Nigerian knew the answer. It was yes. (9.63-68;72.)
Elsie's hopes and dreams rest in getting a university education, and she's willing to give up a lot of herself in order to get it. Why does she go to such extremes? Because if she does, she will never be dependent on a man every again – she and her family – but instead, she will be in the position of bestowing favors.
Quote #5
[Mr Green] turned to Obi and said: "you know, Okonkwo, I have lived in your country for fifteen years and yet I cannot begin to understand the mentality of the so-called educated Nigerian. Like this young man at the University College, for instance, who expects the Government not only to pay his fees and fantastic allowances and find him an easy, comfortable job at the end of his course, but also to pay his intended. It's absolutely incredible. I think Government is making a terrible mistake in making it so easy for people like that to have so-called University education. Education for what? To get as much as they can for themselves and their family. Not the last bit interested in the millions of their countrymen who die every day from hunger and disease." (12.6)
Though education is a way for Nigerians to achieve their hopes and dreams, Mr. Green suggests it is also an easy way for them to milk the system. Read Mr. Green's "Character Analysis" for more on his beliefs and the role he plays in No Longer At Ease.
Quote #6
[Obi] told [Christopher] of one old catechist in Umuofia many, many years ago when Obi was a little boy. This man's wife was a very good friend of Obi's mother and often visited them. One day he overheard her telling his mother how her education had been cut short at Standard One because the man was impatient to get married. She sounded very bitter about it, although it must have happened at least twenty years before. Obi remembered this particular visit very well because it took place on a Saturday. On the following morning the catechist had been unable to take the service because his wife had broken his head with the wooden pestle used for pounding yams. (12.34)
It doesn't seem like Obi is deliberately advocating a feminist ideology here, rather he is suggesting that an unhappy wife is dangerous. It is better to let her do what she wants to do than get in the way.
Quote #7
The book opened at the place where he had put the paper on which he had written the poem "Nigeria" in London about two years ago.
God bless our noble fatherland
Great land of sunshine bright,
Where brave men chose the way of peace,
To win their freedom fight.
May we preserve our purity,
Our zest for life and jollity.
God bless our noble countrymen
And women everywhere.
Teach them to walk in unity
To build our nation dear;
Forgetting region, tribe or speech,
But caring always each for each.
London, July 1955.
He quietly and calmly crumpled the paper in his left palm until it was a tiny ball, threw it on the floor, and began to turn the pages of the book forwards and backwards. In the end he did not read any poem. He put the book down on the little table by his bed. (16.28-30)
This poem makes reference the bright shiny dreams Obi once had for his country, dreams that now seem tarnished due to his own personal failings in life, finances, family, and love.
Quote #8
When Obi came out, one of the patients was waiting to have a word with him.
"You tink because Government give you car you fit do what you like? You see all of we de wait here and you just go in. You tink na play we come play?"
Obi passed on without saying a word.
"Foolish man. He tink say because him get car so derefore he can do as he like. Beast of no nation." (16.36-39)
One man who resents the wealth and privilege that Obi enjoys suggests that wealth and privilege also bring selfishness and disrespect. Obi has become like the men he used to despise.
Quote #9
As he turned these things over in his mind the door opened and a messenger entered. Involuntarily Obi jumped to his feet to accept an envelope. He looked it over and turned it round and saw that it had not been opened. He put it in his shirt pocket and sank to his seat….
His decision to write to Clara had been taken last night….
Obi, who nowadays spent all his time in bed, had got himself out and gone to his writing desk. Writing letters did not come easily to him. He worked out every sentence in his mind first before he set it down on paper. Sometimes he spent as long as ten minutes on the opening sentence. He wanted to say: "Forgive me for what has happened. It was all my fault…" He ruled again it; that kind of self-reproach was sheer humbug. In the end he wrote:
"I can understand your not wanting ever to set eyes on me again. I have wronged you terribly. But I cannot believe that it is all over. If you give me another chance, I shall never fail you again."
He read it over and over again. Then he rewrote the whole letter, changing I cannot believe to I cannot bring myself to believe. (17.31-35)
When Clara returns Obi's letter unopened, he has to force himself to realize that his dreams for their future together are over.