is seen in Odili himself as he becomes less interested with political equality and more interested in expensive cars and houses.

It’s also important to note that all of the fully formed and deep characters are male, while female characters seem to exist only as objects of desire for the men. Women make decisions based on aligning themselves with men who have the most money and power, not by inherently good impulses. After Chief Nanga seduces Odili’s girlfriend, he aims to enact revenge by seducing Chef Nanga’s fiancée. Overall, this narrative presents women in a negative light, only interested wealth and power.

One of the book's themes is the futility of principle in a time of corruption. Odili desperately tries to maintain his fundamental sense of decency in the midst of endemic corruption, both moral and political. Yet he ultimately fails, hobbled not just by the system but by his own naivety.

Like many good but naive people, Odili thinks that by staying true to his principles he will ultimately prevail. But the problem is that his principles are wholly abstract; they aren't grounded in reality. And because of this Odili is unable to navigate his way through the shark-infested waters of post-colonial African politics.

This is not a time for good men. Only the wicked may prosper in the new political order—wicked men like Chief Nanga. But Odili doesn't realize this; and even if he did, it probably wouldn't make much difference anyway. He's determined to stay true to himself and his beliefs at all costs, even if the whole world appears to be against him. In the end, it isn't Odili's idealism that cuts him loose from the shackles that bind him to Chief Nanga, but a military coup—an act of violence the likes of which Odili himself would never be capable.

The main themes are as follows:  the struggle for power, the influence of greed, and the prevailing aura of corruption.

The struggle for power can be seen through both politics and through generations.  In regards to politics, Odili has avoided the influence of the powerful Chief Nanga.  However, he is slowly enticed to Nanga's side through parties, vacations, and other bonuses.  In regards to the generational struggle for power, one needs to look no further than to Odili and his own father.  The father lives in poverty due to the influence and actions of his many wives.  Odili wants more for himself than this poverty, but the irony is, it seems that the way out of poverty is the connection with Nanga that Odili has always avoided.  It isn't long before he finds out that there are strings attached to every loyalty.

In regards to the theme of greed, there is no doubt that Odili wants more than the poverty of his father.  Even though Odili is disgusted by Chief Nanga at the beginning, he is slowly seduced by the wealth involved.  Being invited to ostentatious receptions and parties and mansions truly call to Odili.  Odili's greed is ignited.  After independence from white rule, the country divided its natives into two groups:  the majority were poor, but there was a tiny minority who would serve the whites and, therefore, became rich.  Bribes are prevalent.  People (even those with government sanctioned jobs) are paid to turn their back on injustice. What beckoned to this select few who have more than enough?  Greed.

Finally, connecting the two themes above is the theme of corruption.  Note this pithy statement:

[Nanga is] bloated by the flatulence of ill-gotten wealth, living in a big mansion built with public money, riding in a Cadillac, and watched over by a one-eyed, hired thug.

There is corruption in government (due to bribes and injustice and racism) and there is corruption in financial matters.  Look at the corruption of Chief Nanga:  he continually uses deceitful practices and distribution of wealth to gain followers.  Lavish parties and visits to mansions are the norm for those that give in.  Jobs teaching the poor of the "bush" are what remains if you don't give in.  Closely connected to this is the corruption in finances.  Only those connected with the white ruling class (before and after independence) have money to throw around.  Everyone else is either poverty stricken or just scraping by. 

One of the main themes in this novel is the corruptness of the government as it struggles to define itself in post-colonial times. Chief Nanja is the symbol of this corruption as he manipulates the people for his own wealth and social status. The irony lies in the title, Man of the People;for in this work, a man of the people is, paradoxically, a man against the people, yet the people do not want to face their own deception as they desire to keep Nanja in power at the price of their own freedom.

Sure! there are quite a few other themes in the book! For example, you could take the theme of opulence vs poverty. You could also talk about the theme of greed and selfishness or the theme of sexism (in regards to the poor treatment of women).

How about the theme of opulence vs poverty in the characters of Nanga and Odili? Look at the affluence exhibited in Angus Palace! This can be vastly contrasted with the poverty of Odili who refuses a job with the government in order to be a plain teacher in a rural area.

In regards to greed and selfishness, it would be easy to portray those themes and the character of Odili because he succumbs to both greed and selfishness even through his teaching. Poverty does not bring out the best in people, it seems.

Or how about the deplorable treatment of women? Look at Nanga's supposed parlor wife named Edna. Edna's poor treatment, in addition to the treatment of the other servants in the household, shows that people in the upper echelons of society (especially those who don't know or understand their specific place) treat female servants with contempt.

Hopefully, this will get you started on a few more themes. Click the links below to find out even more.

Odili: This is the protagonist and narrator of the story. He is the son of a moderately prosperous district interpreter who after retirement is struggling financially due to having several wives and children and a limited pension. When we first encounter Odili, he is a schoolteacher, but over the course of the novel he eventually becomes a politician. 

Chief Nanga: This is the main antagonist of the novel. He is a powerful and corrupt politician who has succeeded as a classic "big man" by a web of bribery, patronage, and personal connections. He initially offers to use his influence to help Odili and appears benevolent, but as the novel develops we see that his power has a darker side, including the use of violent intimidation. He eventually loses power as the result of a military coup.

Chief Simon Koko: He is the minister of overseas training and a crony of Chief Nanga. He initially is shown as someone who can help Odili obtain entrance to a post-graduate program in London. He is also deposed in the coup at the end of the novel. He is described as fat and jovial. 

Edna Odo: She is originally the girlfriend of Chief Nanga, but Odili decides to seduce her. He is initially unsuccessful but persists and by the end of the novel they are planning to get married.

Maxwell Kulamo: His is a successful lawyer and friend of Odili. He is described as mature and thoughtful and is active in politics. He is killed toward the end of the novel.

Chinua Achebe's A Man of the People, a novel that takes place in an unnamed African country, follows two main characters and a number of secondary characters. The two main characters in the novel are the antagonist Chief Nanga, a corrupt politician, and Odili, the narrator and protagonist who is in conflict with Chief Nanga.

The main protagonist of A Man of the People is Chief Nanga, a man who becomes Minister of Culture after his country gains independence from white rulers. As Minister of Culture, it is Chief Nanga's duty to protect his countries traditions and culture, being called "a man of the people." However, preferring to use his political stature for self-serving reasons, Chief Nanga uses his wealth to bribe others and uses his political power to intimidate others.

In contrast to Chief Nanga is Odili, a young man whose only political ambitions are to be a teacher. And while he is seduced by Chief Nanga's promises of wealth, he eventually turns against Chief Nanga, realizing that Chief Nanga is corrupt and not at all as just as he pretends to be. Finally, toward the end of the novel, Odili raises his own political party in opposition of Chief Nanga so that he can combat the corruption that is destroying his country's new-found government.