| Dilemma of an indigent
child
By SAM ANOKAM
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
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PHOTO:
THE SUN PUBLISHING
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The book Banana Leaves by ace broadcaster and former Director
General of FRCN, Eddie Iroh is sequel to Without a Silver Spoon, a novel for young
readers. In the story, the author celebrates African family setting as depicted
by Ure Chokwe, the young boy from an indigent family, so poor he happens to be
one of the children delivered on banana leaves at the back of the family compound.
Banana
Leaves is the story of hardship as well as the saga of a family which found strength
and survival in traditional values. The author uses proverbs, indigenous language
and pictorial illustration to drive home his point.
In chapter one, the
author takes a look at the protagonist who is elated to be free from school burden
after passing out of primary school. He reveals with joy what the protagonist
encountered during Christmas. The author by so doing takes us through his December
experiences with vivid narration.
In chapter two, Chokwe’s first
morning of freedom is certainly not as exciting as he had expected. The lone cockerel
in the pen behind his compound wakes him up from sleep with his crew. He lauds
his father’s wisdom in telling the time accurately without consulting the
white man’s clock. Again, the author promotes traditional values in teaching
morals, like when Dede (Chokwe”s father) calls his sons to his side whenever
he wants to settle disputes among people.
Also when Chokwe and his friend
Niko, disrespect an elder, they plead for mercy in view of the consequence that
awaits their action.
In chapter three, Chokwe is angered at waking up
and having nothing to do when the school closes. He recounts how he usually woke
up early in the moving by the cockcrow to do his chores, after which he would
rush off to to his teacher (Steve) in whose house he served as househelp. For
instance, the issue of late arrival to school always attracts punishment from
the head master. The pupils dread this trepidation. Disicipline was the order
of the day to avoid confrontation.
In chapter four, the central character
continues in his reflection of the past concerning his sojourn with teacher Steve,
his benefactor, for the first time, he laments his family’s status. The
decision of the teacher to drop the bombshell that he has been transferred to
another school brings his world to an end.
Three months after teacher Steve
left, Ure wonders how his family would be able to send him to secondary school.
He wonders why his father who is endowed with so much wisdom and honesty could
not make it materially. Chokwe’s father taught him the importance and the
power of the spoken word aside painting a picture of how poverty made them break
the rule of entertaining visitors and the disgrace that followed suit.
In
Chapters six and seven, Ure is taken to Port Harcourt by his uncle, Ikenna. He
however expresses his disappointment that schooling is not included in the plan.
The new environment dumb founds him as he sees different levels of development
when compared to his village. He also has taken a larger responsibility of house
work, than he used to have with teacher Steve.
In Chapters eight to ten,
Ure recounts his first experience at Roxy cinema where his uncle works. As an
11 year old naïve boy, he is soon carried away by the photo tricks and fictions
of the movie as if they are real. The author points out the effect of the cinema
on youths, as if it is another form of education which can impact negatively or
positively. Ure lament the absence of secondary school education three months
after arriving the city. His uncle came out with the idea of augmenting his income
by turning him into a hawker at Roxy cinema and his first night in the hawking
business was a total disaster as he recorded a huge loss. And as a result his
uncle gave him the beating of his life.
Chokwe in chapters 11 and 12,
is fond of going to the cinema, and comes in contact with new friends who ultimately
become a street gang. His uncle who is only interested in the proceeds from the
hawking business did not notice his changing attitude. He gets involved in a street
fight. With that, the author contrasts city life to that of the village where
everyone cares for children and are ready to discipline them. Despite the upsurge
of fortune for his uncle, Chokwe’s secondary education remains a mirage.
He frequently writes home with the tone of his letter stating all is well but
he dare not mention his involvement with street gang as this would break his father’s
heart.
Chapter 13 dwells on the morals of child upbringing. Chokwe himself
blames his street life on his uncle’s betrayal and refusal to send him to
school despite the enormous wealth at his disposal.
As with every criminal
gangs, in chapter 14, the quest for revenge over the humiliation of their gang
leader, becomes top priority. Chokwe never anticipates such a manner of revenge
which Tinto has in mind-Robbery. For the first time since his arrival at the city,
he tested cigarettes and participated in the first robbery attempt to which he
unwillingly obliged.
Chokwe’s conscience pricks him in chapter 15,
over his participation in the robbery which takes its toll on him. He records
low sales due to fear of being spotted by the victims of their robbery. This thought
weighs him down and later gives way to sickness although he refuses a share of
the loot as a result of his moral upbringing.
The author completes the
scintillating story as Chokwe’s day of reckoning comes when he returns from
the tap to face the woman whose shop they robbed. He is summoned by his uncle,
gripped by fears and finally admitts his fault.
Afterwards, his uncle
realises that Chokwe has made a bold statement and he too admits to his fault.
Chokwe apologizes to his uncle and the latter promptly forgives him and realises
that sending him to school is the best alternative. |
