SUSTAINABLE VIRTUE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT WEAPON AGAINST EVILS: KUNLE’S STRENGTH IN OGUNDIMU’S A SILLY SEASON VERSUS OBI’S WEAKNESS IN ACHEBE’S NO LONGER AT EASE

Abstract

This paper aims at pointing out the war waged against bribery by Obi Okonkwo and Kunle Bangbelu in No Longer at Ease and A Silly Season respectively and its outcomes. Bribery has been prevailing in Africa from colonisation up to date. This theme has been dealt with by several authors such as Achebe, Soyinka, Armah and Ogundimu. In real life as well as in fiction, some people or characters always try to denounce and also fight against it. In this framework, Obi Okonkwo in No Longer at Ease and Kunle Bangbelu in A Silly Season have played their parts. Obi Okonkwo has not been able to resist temptations until the end contrary to Kunle Bangbelu. In order to be able to examine deeply and properly the different aspects of the issue, I have used theories of socio-criticism and post-colonialism and the qualitative and quantitative method. It has revealed how virtue has helped Kunle Bangbelu to stay strong and consistent until the end whereas Obi Okonkwo has shamelessly failed by his lack of virtue through overambition and selfishness. It has also shown that there is hope in any fight no matter how tricky it is an how long it will last provided it is fair. In this light this paper also attempts to suggest ways to fight some vices like bribery