Yessie Zuniga INTL 3111 Mr.

Robert Arnold 21 June 2011 Microtheme 6 Chinua Achebe Anthills if the Savannah

For the final project we will probably have to talk about a major theme in the story. For this microtheme I will brain storm about the themes that I have noticed and that interest me. Now that I have finished reading the book I think that Achebe definitely thought that unity was key to a healthy country and overcoming a history of suffering and corruption. In the end Achebe leaves us with a sense of hope and community amongst the common people. I think that unity and its culture is what keeps the people intact even when they suffer unjust political regimes. Another big theme is the danger and consequences of individual power. The childhood friendship of Sam, Chris and Ikem is quickly deteriorated once Sam gains too much power. It is obvious that Sam was not ready to have power beyond the military realm. Relishing his power he insists on being called Your Excellency. He also wants to be elected President For Life; he wanted total power but most importantly lasting power. While striving to attain such things he makes little connection with the people of Kagan. He does rely on his cabinet but during the first scene in the book the readers are made aware that Sam also controls what the cabinet says; they do not disagree with him, they just

follow along. The most defining moment is when his paranoia of losing power gets to him and he goes as far as killing his childhood friend just because he believes he is a threat to the state. In reality he believed Ikem was a threat to himself and his power. The most interesting theme to me was the role of women. Achebe definitely emphasized the power, importance and ability of women. Even with all the political strife and injustice, women are the ones who keep connected to their culture. Women stand for moral strength, sensitivity and empathy. In many ways he explains that women are the most oppressed group of people worldwide and that an end to that is needed to gain welfare of a nation.