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5. Character Sketches

1. Sketch the character of Ezeulu.

or

Comment on the part played by Ezeulu

1. Introduction

The character of Ezeulu is one of the most

remarkable characters in Africanfiction like that of Okonkwo in
Things Fall Apart. Ezeulu is portrayed as a strong man both
physically and mentally; however, with some inner flaws like
that of King Lear and Julius Caesar, who are adamant.
2. His Physique
Ezeuluis astrong man. He is as tal as Iroko tree. His skin
is white like the sun. Inhis youth,he was called
Nwa-anyanwu
(handsome man). At his age, he can run like a young man
during the festival of Pumpkin Leaves Festival. He waks the
six miles distance between Okperi and Umuaro in heavy rain
after his release by Winterbottom.
3. His Nature

Ezeulu is neither impulsive nor innocent like Okonkwo of

Things Fall Apart. He is agood man. He is reliable and honest
inhis words and deeds. He takes care of his
family and assigns
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knc to
duties to his
wives and children too. He has taken care of his
Aaughter, when she is deserted by her husband. He knows his
ean Obika'sweakness to palm wine. So, when he hears of his
son being whipped by the white supervisor, he does not support
0bika. His favourite son is Nwafo.

4. His wisdom

He knows that the White man is strong. When the war

between Umuaro and Okperi is stopped by the White man,
Winterbottom, he appreciates him and he realizes his wisdom
when Winterbottom breaks all the guns of his clansmen. So,
he makes his son Oduche to go to the mission school to learn
the White man's way and language.
5. His service to God, Ulu

As the High Priest of Ulu, he carries out his duties from

searching out the sky for the new moon to conduct the religious
ceremonies of his clan. He is utterly spiritual. But in the end of
the novel, his people ignore him. He becomes furious and hurt.
Then, he assumes the position of the arrow of God.

6. His failure

It is clear that Ezeulu's is anutter failure. He cannot stop

his clansmen as well as white men. He cannot stop his own
people converting themselves to Christianity. In the end, he
fails to predict the New Year for New Yam Festival. Even when
he announces it, nobody is there to listen to him. Everybody
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mother
begins to feel that he has turned to bea mad man as his
in the form
Even some people think that Ulu has punished him
of Obika's, his son's, death.
7. Sum up

Ezeulu is an admirable character. But he is a failure.

Okonkworesisted changes, but Ezeulu becomes an arrow of
God for change.