Introduction to “Dead Man’s Path” as an Indictment
About the phrase that “Dead Man’s Path” is an indictment” it is fair to read Achebe more. For example, in his article “Modern Africa as the Crossroads of Culture” from his book Hopes and Impediments, dilating upon his experience, Achebe states that he was Christian but his whole family was heathen. Despite this, he states, “Those idols and that food had a strange pull on me in spite of my being such a thorough little Christian” (Achebe). He is of the view that sometimes he had to succumb to them. This shows the power of living in a culture and the power of cultist rituals and traditions. His story “Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment, as it presents the character of a headmaster, Michael Obi, who wins unexpected promotion and feels it his duty to share the “white man’s burden” in spreading the light of education to make the people “just modern and delightful” in his wife’s words (464). However, he little knew what hornet’s nest he is going to move by tinkling with the long-held traditions. He could not sense from other teacher’s view that “there was a big row” over blocking the path (465). Although the story “Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment is an indictment of such long-held African traditions as much as of the responsibility of the white man, it is also an indictment of the attitude of an enlightened man toward ignorant fellows.
African Culture and “Dead Man’s Path” as an Indictment
It is true that the story derides long-held traditions such as the visit of the dead people and going on the beaten path. Achebe achieves this end through the character of Michael and Nancy who are full of zeal and modern ideas to run Ndume Central School of the Mission authorities. He wants to make an end to these long-held irrational traditions. However, when they join the school, and Michael blocked the village path passing through the school, he faces the wrath of the public through the village priest, Ani, who vandalized the school. In fact, Michael’s depiction in the story is an indictment of Achebe against the irrational traditions because the spread of Christianity has made the “most aspects of traditional life … branded pagan and devilish” as Michael makes fun of the village priest, Ani (Ochiagha 132). However, this does not mean Achebe has left the white man as only the authority with no responsibilities. Hence, “Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment of white man’s responsibilities as well.
“Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment of White Invaders
Achebe has rather put the responsibility on the shoulders of the Mission authorities at the end of the story. It is because Achebe has clearly written at the end that when the “white Supervisor came to inspect the school and wrote a nasty report” in which he stated that the headmaster was misguided (466). However, overall it is clear that the headmaster was not misguided. He was very much clear. He was taught to do so, as he was working under the Mission. Therefore, it was his duty to spread the enlightenment. However, here the white man has failed. The indictment of the white man is in this sense as Johathan Peters writes in his article “English-Language Fiction from West Africa” that the major aim of Achebe is to teach fellow Africans the truth about colonialism (18). This is the message that he has given in this story. However, the story also shows that a person should not be arrogant and haughty toward ignorant fellows the reason that “Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment of all people having authority and responsibility.
“Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment of Arrogance
In fact, this arrogance is a part of the colonial legacy that comes with the knowledge of the English language. Achebe, in fact, does not like this on the part of locals. In her book, Interrogative Privilege: Reflections of a Second Language Educator, Stephanie Vandrik states her experience of teaching Achebe in an ESL classroom in which she has explained everything but then got the question that “So, missionary means arrogant?” which means that the headmaster has become too arrogant and ironic to be tolerated by the locals (32). That means that his zeal was not misguided, it was his own attitude that needs improvement. In other words, the word “Mission” mentioned earlier shows it clearly that Achebe wants to show the arrogance that the colonial masters exerted themselves or their modern idea-filled teachers like Michael. Therefore, “Dead Man’s Path” is an indictment of this arrogance.
Conclusion
In short, the “Dead Man’s Path” is an indictment of the wrong type of traditions as well as of the attitude of civilized people and the way they handle ignorant fellows by making fun of them. The long-held traditions that are irrational need uprooted. There is no doubt about it. However, people must be first taught to understand irrationality and the importance of education. Deriding them before that happens is as dangerous and harmful as the traditions themselves. In fact, Achebe has highlighted this attitude of the agents of colonialism along with the derision of colonialism in the story.
Works Cited
- Achebe, Chinua. “Modern Africa as the Crossroads of Culture.” Chinua Achebe. Hopes and Impediments. The University of Michigan. 1990.
- Achebe, Chinua. “Dead Man’s Path.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Ed. Kennedy, X. J. and Dana Gioia. Pearson Longman. New York. Ed10th. 2009. Print. 465-470.
- Ochiagha, Terri. Achebe and Friends at Umuahia: The Making of a Literary Elite. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. 2015. Print. 132-135.
- Peters, A. Johathan. “English Language Fiction from West Africa.” A History of 20th Centuries African Literature. Ed. Oyekan Owomoyela. University of Nebraska Press. 1983. Print. 12-18.
- Vandrick, Stephanie. Interrogating Privilege: Reflections of a Second Language Educator. University of Michigan Press. 2009. 31-35.
Relevant Questions about “Dead Man’s Path” is an Indictment
- How does the story “Dead Man’s Path” by Chinua Achebe emphasize that “Dead Man’s Path” is an indictment through the character of Michael Obi and his actions?
- In what ways does Chinua Achebe make it clear that “Dead Man’s Path” is an indictment, using the character of the village priest as a focal point in illustrating the clash of cultures and beliefs?
- How does “Dead Man’s Path” by Chinua Achebe serve as an indictment not only of Michael Obi but also of the entire village, highlighting the consequences of their inflexibility and their inability to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity?
