AFRICAN PROSE
ISIDORE OKPEWHO: The Last Duty
Examine the relationship between Aku and Oshevire.
Explanation
Oshevire is a native of Urukpe who marries Aku from the neighbouring Simba tribe. They have a son Oghenovo. Oshevire is a loving husband and sticks to Aku even at the risk of being accused of collaboration with the rebels. Aku loves Oshevire in return and when the rebels invade Urukpe she does not run away as other Simba women do.
Oshevire is a successful rubber farmer and a contemporary of Toje, an important rubber farmer in Urukpe. As a result of envy, Toje gets Oshevire thrown into prison and turns his attention to his wife — Aku. He lures Aku into a relationship while her husband is in prison. Aku. unable to resist the situation confronting her, succumbs to Toje’s advances and sinks into infidelity. This culminates in a near fatal fight between Toje and his go-between Odibo. All this while Oshevire is in detention thinking of his wife and son. It is the thought of eventually reuniting with them which keeps him going.
Eventually, Oshevire is released from detention. He returns home hoping to joyfully reunite with his family. However, to his utmost disappointment he learns of his wife’s infidelity. He thus feels betrayed by the one he loves and is hurt to the core. He feels that this stain will ever remain with him. According to him this “dishonour” brought him by his wife must be removed. First, he refuses to talk to his wife and son. Then, one night he sets his house ablaze and decides to leave town. This he claims is doing what ‘a man’s mind urges him to do’.
In his distraction he fails to obey a soldier’s command to stop and is shot dead. This completes the tragedy and destruction of the family which was once full of love and life.