The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born Characters
The main characters in The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born are the man, Oyo, Koomson, and Teacher.
- The man is the novel’s protagonist, a modest worker at a railway office whose moral compass is at odds with postcolonial Ghana’s corrupt atmosphere.
- Oyo is the man’s wife. Her desire to improve her family’s situation leads her to challenge her husband.
- Koomson is the man’s old friend. He has risen to wealth through his role in the current regime.
- Teacher is the man’s friend and confidant. His experiences have given him an especially keen but despairing view of Ghana.
Characters
The Man
The unnamed protagonist, referred to as "the man," is the central character around whom the narrative unfolds. Serving as a clerk at a railway station in postcolonial Ghana, he embodies the struggles of an ordinary citizen striving to maintain moral integrity in a society rife with corruption. His inner thoughts reveal a deep reflection on the pervasive decay and hopelessness within his country. Despite his modest position, he is determined to resist the temptation of bribery and corruption, even when faced with financial hardship and societal pressure. Early in the novel, he refuses a bribe from a timber merchant, a decision that earns him disbelief and mockery from the merchant and scorn from his wife, Oyo. This steadfastness is a point of contention with his mother-in-law, who persistently questions his ability to provide for his family.
Throughout the story, the man grapples with the allure of his friend Koomson's lavish lifestyle, yet he never succumbs to corruption. The political upheaval that topples the Nkrumah regime forces Party men like Koomson to flee, and while the man aids Koomson's escape, he retains a sense of personal integrity. However, even after this, he remains bound to his monotonous life, symbolizing the perpetual struggle between moral ideals and societal pressures. His experiences reflect an exaggerated ideal of nobility amidst societal degradation, highlighting the enduring quest for ethical steadfastness despite the cyclic persistence of corruption.
Koomson
Koomson, the man’s childhood friend, symbolizes the gross corruption prevalent among the political elite in Ghana. A minister in Nkrumah's socialist government, he represents those who have climbed the social ladder through deceit and manipulation. Despite his modest beginnings as a dockworker, he has adopted the lavish lifestyle of the Westernized elite, indulging in expensive imports, which serve as markers of success in Ghanaian society. Koomson's ability to project a charismatic public persona belies his unscrupulous nature. He becomes a representation of the Western influence that taints Ghanaian leadership, a notion echoed by Teacher's observation that "there is no difference at all between the white men and their apes . . . our Party men."
When political tides turn, Koomson is forced into hiding, seeking refuge with the man. Ultimately, he becomes a dependent fugitive, bribing his way to escape arrest. This downfall underscores the transient nature of power and the personal ruin corruption can incur. Through Koomson’s character, the novel critiques the failure of postcolonial leadership to foster genuine change, reducing individual lives to pawns in political upheavals.
Oyo
Oyo, the man's wife, stands in contrast to her husband’s principled nature, often embodying the tension between ethical integrity and societal aspiration. She desires a life of luxury akin to that of Estella, Koomson’s wife, and is disillusioned by her husband's rejection of corruption. This desire for material wealth drives her to criticize him for his honesty, seeing it as a hindrance to their societal advancement. Oyo's behavior is marked by her efforts to align herself with the elite, evidenced by her attitudes and actions during social interactions.
Her perspective begins to shift when Koomson’s power crumbles, and she witnesses firsthand the fallout of corruption. This transformation brings her to a grudging acknowledgment of her husband's moral stance, although it comes only after observing the dire consequences that accompany Koomson's lifestyle. Oyo’s character evolution reflects the broader societal dilemma of reconciling moral principles with the allure of material success.
Teacher
Teacher operates as both a mentor and a philosophical foil to the man. Living a seemingly isolated life, he offers intellectual support and guidance, serving as a sounding board for the man's contemplations on integrity and...
(This entire section contains 857 words.)
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the disintegrating society around them. Teacher’s discussions with the man delve deeply into themes of independence, corruption, and disillusionment, providing a critical commentary on post-colonial Ghana.
Through his stories and reflections, Teacher reveals a past filled with idealism and his own journey through disillusionment. His past association with a woman named Maanan and the use of wee to expand his worldview illustrates his initial hope for Ghana's future—a hope that later waned in the face of brutal realities. Despite his detachment, Teacher acknowledges the ongoing pull of familial bonds and commends the man for his bravery in maintaining his principles. His role is pivotal in articulating the novel's philosophical underpinnings, emphasizing the persistent struggle for ethical integrity in the face of societal decay.
Estella
Estella, Koomson’s wife, epitomizes the ostentatious lifestyle of Ghana’s upper class. Her character serves as a direct foil to Oyo, highlighting the disparities in wealth and social status between them. Accustomed to opulence, Estella’s disdain for the man and Oyo’s modest offerings at dinner underscores her sense of superiority and entitlement. Her behavior mirrors the cultural imperialism of colonial predecessors, perpetuating a cycle of elitism and exclusion.
Though her husband’s fall from grace impacts her lifestyle, Estella's story illustrates the superficial and transient nature of class distinctions, where societal upheavals shift power dynamics but often leave underlying inequalities intact. Her character exposes the cultural challenges that come with political liberation, where the vestiges of colonial influence continue to shape societal norms and values.
