Essay Draft Three

Anita Wang

June 6, 2007

Draft Three

Superior Feelings, Not Culture Clash

In the time when the British gained the control of Nigeria, what conflict may exist and how did people react to that? Chinua Achebe tries to discuss this topic with his own understandings and experiences. In the story “Dead Men’s Path” by Achebe, Michael Obi, a young and enthusiastic British headmaster, intends to abolish the dead men’s path without villagers’ agreement. But his intention finally ends in the tribal war. The conflict between Obi and villagers is provoked by the culture clash so it seems that his failure is inevitable. But actually, if we take a deeper insight into the story, maybe we should take a second thought. In fact, it is Obi’s “superior feelings”, not the culture clash that results in his failure.

Culture clash does cause the conflict. Culture clash is a very normal thing when a country gains control of another because the stronger one usually tries to replace the “loser” one’s culture with its own in order to consolidate and prolong its dominance. And in the process of this “merging” or “substituting”, conflicts often arouse. Although such task is tough, it is not impossible to accomplish. Then, the key point is how to make this process go through. Obviously, the story does not tell a right way.

There are several comparisons between the two positions in the story. The school is “unprogressive” and “backward in every sense of the word”. (52) And Obi is “young and energetic”. (52) The villagers are labeled “unenlightened” and Obi is kind of the representative of “modern knowledge” at that time. The divergence in opinion reveals the culture difference lying between two positions. So, while the villagers lay more emphasize on the tradition or ancestral heritage, Obi pays more attention to the more practical things. He simply does not believe villagers’ religion and regards that as something ridiculous. Culture clash breeds disagreement and disagreement produces conflict. But conflict is not equal to the failure. Obi’s reaction to such differences in belief is critical in solving the problem and to behave “superior” is not the solution.

What do superior feelings bring? Yes, the “absolutely right” attitude and extreme confidence. The villagers actually try to solve the problem through negotiation. The priest is sincere but Obi is not. “The whole purpose of our school is to eradicate just such beliefs as that. The whole idea is just fantastic. Our duty is to teach your children to laugh at such ideas.” (54) He is telling that abolishing the dead men’s path is the “absolutely” and “only” true thing without doubts. He says it so firmly, so confidently, giving the priest no other place to negotiate. In fact, he is saying “you are still unenlightened and I came with the duty to enlighten you. What you should do is just follow me with your mouths shut.” What makes him so confident? Obi’s “hopes were fulfilled much earlier” (52) and he hides no “condemnation of the narrow views” (52) of his “older and often less-educated” (52) colleague in the “mission field”. (52) Advantages in ability let Obi feel superior. He believes so deeply that he is right and gives no opportunity to build trust between the two positions because he thinks there is no need at all. Trust can not be built without communication. Then how can a conflict be solved without trust? This time, Obi’s overflowing confidence does not stand on his side.

If Obi’s "no negotiation" attitude fails to build trust between him and villagers, then his arrogant and aggressive attitude just makes things worse. His arrogance comes from the fact that he does not put the villagers in the equal position with himself. He is a member of the winning country that gains control of another. Obi put himself in a superior position, so his words are full of arrogance. He is just like talking with his head up. The mis-position-setting creates the discordance in the negotiation. His superior feelings blind him of the importance of the word “equal”. Then, how can a negotiation be done without the basic equality between two sides? Has culture clash told Obi to behave so superior? The answer is “no”. So, it is the problem of Obi’s personal improper attitude, not culture clash.

Obi’s superior feelings also lead him to some bottom lines of morality. He makes laugh at the villagers’ ancestors. “I would suggest you constructing another path, skirting our premises. I do suppose the ancestors will find the little detour too burdensome.” (54) He even uses “do” to emphasize his words. In every single culture, making fun of other peoples’ ancestor is always wrong and very impolite. But Obi does it. Is it still the business of culture clash? No. Obi’s mean joke offends the moral criteria, so it is his personal problem. Culture clash is just an excuse to explain these improper behaviors.

Superior feelings make Obi arrogant and rude and his acerbic words and mean joke hurt villagers’ feelings. The villagers feel humiliated. Obi’s words may create or deepen villagers’ feelings that they are “inferior”, being looked down upon and their country is in the control of another. So, the villagers think perhaps this time the only way to protect the path is to use violence. And here comes the “torn up” hedges, “trampled” flowers and “pulled-down” school building. (54). That is why “a big row” (53) last time but a terrible mess this time. Are villagers born to be so violent? No, they choose to negotiate at first but Obi blows it away. I do not see any culture clash problem here I see the angry raised by arrogance and humiliation and the people who try to protect themselves.

The conflict between two positions is inevitable but what will happen if Obi changes his aggressive behaviors? If he had showed more care and understanding to the villagers, villagers would regard him “approachable” and willing to share their views with Obi. If Obi had been willing to regard the villagers’ position equal to his position, the tense atmosphere might have been alleviated. And only under such environment will it be possible for Obi to realize his dream which is running school well and let villagers accept his views. Stable environment is the basic requirement and Obi misses this point unfortunately.

Changing others’ religion or belief is no easy task which requires long term communication, conciliation and respect to each other. As an “advanced” teacher even in Obi’s own country, there is no reason that Obi did not know this. Then why he did not do so this time? What on earth blinds him? Yes, his superior feelings. Obi is eager to see his achievement, so he is so aggressive; he is confident in his ability and belief, so he is so arrogant. Obi actually is a good man who loves his career so much. He spares no effort cultivating his dream. He is so happy when he got the “grand opportunity” (53) that he could not wait to show the villagers “how a school should be run”. (53) We have no doubt about Obi’s passion to the education career but this time we should admit that his “superior” feeling has blocked his way towards the success.

The culture clash creates the conflict because there is a huge gap between Obi and villagers in opinion. But it is Obi’s superior feeling brings his rudeness, arrogance and aggressiveness which are the real reasons for his failure. Culture clash can not defend Obi’s failure. Obi’s superior feelings are the real explanation.

Work Cited

Chinua Achbe. “Dead Men’s Path.” 1953. Rpt. in “The International Story”. Page 52-54