Project – The Theme of Greed and Materialism in The Passport of Mallam Ilia by Cyprian Ekwensi.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Greed and materialism are recurring themes in literature because they reflect some of the fundamental weaknesses in human character and the social conditions that encourage individuals to place personal wealth, possessions, power and status above moral values. Greed refers to an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than is necessary, while materialism describes a value orientation in which material possessions and external wealth become major measures of success and personal satisfaction. These behaviours can influence human relationships, encourage selfishness and create conflicts within families and communities. Fromm (1976) explains that a society organised around the desire to possess may gradually encourage individuals to measure their worth through what they own rather than through their personal development, relationships and contributions to humanity. Similarly, Kasser (2002) argues that excessive emphasis on financial success, possessions and social recognition can weaken personal well-being and meaningful relationships. Literature therefore provides an important means of examining how greed and materialism influence individual behaviour and social relationships.

The representation of greed and materialism in literature is particularly important because literary writers frequently use characters, conflicts and social situations to expose the consequences of excessive ambition and selfish desires. A literary text can reveal how the pursuit of wealth and power influences people’s decisions, shapes their relationships and determines the direction of their lives. Marx (1976) explains that material conditions and economic interests have significant implications for social relationships and human consciousness. In a related discussion, Weber (1978) demonstrates how economic interests, status and the pursuit of advantage can influence social action and relationships. These perspectives provide useful foundations for understanding literary characters whose actions are motivated by the desire to acquire wealth, maintain influence or achieve personal advancement at the expense of others. Through such representations, literature questions the moral consequences of allowing material interests to dominate human judgement.

In African literature, greed and materialism can be examined within the context of traditional values, changing social structures, economic inequalities and the encounter between indigenous communities and external influences. African societies have historically maintained cultural expectations relating to honesty, communal responsibility, generosity, respect and social cooperation. However, the pursuit of individual wealth, authority and social recognition can sometimes conflict with these collective values. Achebe (1958), in his representation of Igbo society in Things Fall Apart, demonstrates how personal ambition, pride and the desire for social recognition can influence individual conduct and relationships within a community. Similarly, Irele (2001) observes that African literature frequently engages with the historical, cultural and social experiences that shape African identity and society. The examination of greed and materialism in African literary works is therefore relevant to understanding the tension between personal ambition and the moral expectations of the community.

The theme of materialism also relates to the wider social problems associated with inequality, exploitation and the unequal distribution of economic opportunities. In societies where wealth is strongly associated with influence, respect and social acceptance, individuals may become excessively concerned with acquiring material possessions and securing positions of advantage. Merton (1938), through his explanation of social structure and anomie, argues that societies sometimes place strong emphasis on culturally approved goals, such as financial success, without providing equal opportunities for everyone to achieve them. This contradiction can encourage individuals to pursue success through inappropriate or socially unacceptable means. From a literary perspective, such conditions provide opportunities for writers to examine characters who are driven by ambition, competition, jealousy and the desire for material advancement. The consequences of these behaviours may include betrayal, exploitation, violence and the destruction of relationships.

Cyprian Ekwensi occupies an important position in the development of Nigerian literature, particularly through his representation of social experiences, cultural practices and the struggles of ordinary people. His literary works examine different aspects of Nigerian life, including love, ambition, poverty, social conflict, urban experiences and the consequences of individual decisions. Prescott (2010) describes Ekwensi as a versatile Nigerian novelist and short-story writer whose fiction is notable for its accessible style and representation of Nigerian social life. His works include People of the City (1954), The Drummer Boy (1960), The Passport of Mallam Ilia (1960), Jagua Nana (1961) and Burning Grass (1961/1962, depending on edition). Ekwensi’s writing is particularly significant because it brings social and moral questions into narratives that are accessible to both young and adult readers. His literary approach provides a useful foundation for investigating how personal desires, ambition, power and human relationships are represented in Nigerian society.

The Passport of Mallam Ilia, published in 1960 by Cambridge University Press, is one of Ekwensi’s notable works. The narrative is set largely within the cultural and geographical environment of Northern Nigeria and follows the experiences of Mallam Ilia, whose life becomes deeply affected by love, betrayal, violence and the pursuit of revenge. The story presents a character whose personal experiences are shaped by the actions of other individuals, particularly those who misuse their influence and power. The narrative explores the destructive consequences of jealousy, selfishness and the desire to dominate others. Irele and Gikandi (2004) identify Ekwensi’s The Passport of Mallam Ilia among works that represent the cultural world of Northern Nigeria and its changing social relationships. The publication record of the novel also confirms its original publication in 1960 by Cambridge University Press (Ekwensi, 1960).

The theme of greed and materialism can be examined in The Passport of Mallam Ilia through the actions, motivations and relationships of its characters, particularly where the desire for personal advantage, influence and possession produces conflict and suffering. Mallam Usman’s conduct, for example, provides an opportunity to investigate how jealousy, possessiveness and the abuse of power can destroy the lives of other people. His actions against Mallam Ilia and Zara demonstrate the consequences of allowing selfish interests and the desire for domination to take precedence over respect for human dignity. Although the narrative also addresses love, betrayal and revenge, these experiences can be interpreted in relation to the broader moral problem of excessive personal desire. The present study therefore examines how Ekwensi uses characterisation, plot development, conflict and the consequences of human actions to explore greed and materialism. This approach is consistent with the view that literary narratives can expose the relationship between individual motivations and wider social values (Fromm, 1976; Prescott, 2010).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Greed and materialism remain important social and moral concerns because they encourage individuals to place personal interests above honesty, justice, compassion and the well-being of others. The excessive desire for wealth, possessions, power and social recognition can create unhealthy competition, distrust, exploitation and conflict within society. Although the pursuit of material comfort is not necessarily harmful, the problem arises when individuals become so concerned with acquiring or protecting personal advantages that they disregard the rights and welfare of others. Fromm (1976) argues that an excessive orientation towards possession can influence how individuals understand themselves and relate to other people. Similarly, Kasser (2002) associates the excessive pursuit of materialistic goals with difficulties in achieving personal satisfaction and meaningful relationships. These concerns make greed and materialism significant themes for literary investigation.

In African societies, the pursuit of personal wealth and influence can sometimes conflict with communal expectations of fairness, responsibility, respect and cooperation. Individuals who prioritise personal ambition over collective well-being may engage in manipulation, betrayal, intimidation and other harmful behaviours. Such actions can weaken social relationships and create conditions in which the powerful exploit those who are less influential. Merton’s (1938) explanation of social strain provides a useful perspective for understanding how the pressure to achieve socially valued goals can influence individual conduct. However, the literary representation of these problems requires attention not only to the general social conditions that encourage selfishness but also to the characters, actions and consequences through which writers communicate their concerns.

Although The Passport of Mallam Ilia has attracted attention as a Nigerian literary text that explores love, betrayal, revenge and aspects of Northern Nigerian culture, the specific relationship between greed, materialism and destructive human behaviour deserves further examination. The actions of characters such as Mallam Usman raise questions about possessiveness, jealousy, personal ambition and the misuse of influence. These behaviours can be examined to understand how the desire to control people and circumstances contributes to conflict and suffering in the narrative. Irele and Gikandi (2004) recognise the novel as part of Ekwensi’s literary representation of Northern Nigerian cultural experiences, while Prescott (2010) highlights the writer’s broader contribution to Nigerian fiction. Nevertheless, a focused study of greed and materialism is necessary to bring together the moral and social implications of these behaviours within the selected text.

Furthermore, there is a need to examine the literary techniques through which Ekwensi presents the consequences of selfish desires and excessive attachment to personal interests. Without a focused analysis, the relationship between character motivation, conflict, power and moral responsibility may not receive adequate attention. The study therefore investigates how greed and materialism are portrayed through characterisation, plot, conflict and the consequences of individual actions in The Passport of Mallam Ilia. It also considers the implications of these representations for understanding human relationships and social values. This investigation draws on the argument that literature can provide a critical examination of the moral and social consequences of materialistic values and the excessive desire for possession (Fromm, 1976; Marx, 1976).

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to examine the theme of greed and materialism in Cyprian Ekwensi’s The Passport of Mallam Ilia.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the representation of greed and materialism in The Passport of Mallam Ilia.

2. Identify the characters and actions through which greed, possessiveness and selfish ambition are portrayed in the novel.

3. Analyse the effects of greed and materialistic desires on human relationships and the development of conflict in the novel.

4. Examine the moral and social lessons conveyed by Ekwensi through his portrayal of greed and materialism.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions guide the study:

1. How are greed and materialism represented in The Passport of Mallam Ilia?

2. Which characters and actions illustrate greed, possessiveness and selfish ambition in the novel?

3. What are the effects of greed and materialistic desires on human relationships and the development of conflict in the novel?

4. What moral and social lessons does Ekwensi communicate through his portrayal of greed and materialism?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to students of English and Literary Studies because it will provide an understanding of how greed and materialism are represented in Nigerian literature. It will expose students to the relationship between literary themes, characterisation, plot development and social criticism. By examining Ekwensi’s presentation of selfish ambition and the consequences of excessive personal desires, the study will encourage a deeper appreciation of the moral and social dimensions of literary texts.

The study will also be useful to teachers and lecturers of literature. It will provide additional material for teaching The Passport of Mallam Ilia, particularly in relation to character analysis, thematic interpretation and the moral implications of human behaviour. It may also serve as a reference for classroom discussions on greed, jealousy, possessiveness, betrayal and the misuse of power.

Furthermore, the study will benefit researchers who are interested in African literature, Nigerian prose fiction and the representation of social problems in literary works. It will provide a foundation for further research on greed, materialism, ambition, power and moral responsibility in the writings of Cyprian Ekwensi and other African writers.

The study will also be relevant to the general reading public because it highlights the consequences of allowing selfish interests to control human decisions. The examination of the destructive effects of possessiveness, jealousy and the desire for domination may encourage readers to appreciate the importance of honesty, self-control, respect and consideration for others.

Finally, the research will contribute to literary scholarship by offering a focused interpretation of greed and materialism in The Passport of Mallam Ilia. It will demonstrate how a literary work can be studied not only as a fictional narrative but also as a reflection on human conduct and the values that influence relationships in society.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the theme of greed and materialism in Cyprian Ekwensi’s The Passport of Mallam Ilia. It examines how the writer presents selfish ambition, possessiveness, jealousy, the desire for personal advantage and the misuse of influence through the actions and relationships of characters in the novel.

The study is limited to the literary analysis of the selected text. It considers the relevant themes, characterisation, plot development, conflict and moral implications of the narrative. Although other works by Cyprian Ekwensi and other Nigerian writers may be mentioned where necessary, they will not constitute the primary focus of the investigation.

1.7 Research Methodology

This study adopts a qualitative research approach based on textual analysis. The primary source of data is Cyprian Ekwensi’s The Passport of Mallam Ilia. The novel will be examined closely to identify relevant passages, character actions, narrative events and expressions that reflect greed, materialism, possessiveness and selfish ambition.

Secondary sources will include relevant textbooks, journal articles, scholarly publications and other academic materials on African literature, Nigerian fiction, greed, materialism and literary criticism. These materials will provide the theoretical and critical foundation for interpreting the selected text.

The study will employ thematic and descriptive methods of analysis. Relevant events and character behaviours will be identified, classified and discussed according to the research objectives. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between characters’ motivations, their actions and the consequences of those actions. The findings will be presented through critical discussion rather than statistical analysis.

1.8 Definition of Key Terms

Greed: An excessive and selfish desire to acquire wealth, possessions, power or other advantages beyond what is necessary or reasonable. In this study, it refers to the selfish desires and actions represented in The Passport of Mallam Ilia.

Materialism: A value orientation that places excessive importance on material possessions, wealth, financial success and external status as measures of personal achievement.

Theme: The central idea, message or underlying meaning explored in a literary work. In this study, it refers particularly to the representation of greed and materialism in Ekwensi’s novel.

Possessiveness: An excessive desire to control or claim ownership over a person, object or situation, often without adequate consideration for the rights and feelings of others.

Selfish ambition: The pursuit of personal goals, advancement or satisfaction without sufficient regard for the interests and welfare of other people.

Characterisation: The literary technique through which a writer creates and develops characters by presenting their personalities, actions, motivations, relationships and behaviour.

Conflict: A struggle or disagreement between individuals, groups or opposing interests within a literary narrative. In this study, it refers to the tensions and struggles arising from the actions and desires of characters in the novel.

Literary analysis: The critical examination of a literary work in order to understand its themes, characters, language, structure, techniques and meanings.

Project – The Theme of Greed and Materialism in The Passport of Mallam Ilia by Cyprian Ekwensi.