Okolo, a young man armed with learning from school returns to his village only to find ostracism when he refuses to conform and continues to seek knowledge. Okolo is in search of it, an undefined, but uncorrupted sense of a true way of living. His village of Amatu is controlled by Chief Izongo who fears Okolo’s questioning in this short psychological novella.
Nigerian Literature
Gabriel Okara’s The Voice focuses on the journey of a young man and upends the hero paradigm. Okolo, an inquisitive and uncompromising man is summoned to face Chief Izongo and his obsequious council of elders. Confronted and then chased by the village, Okolo is offered shelter by Tuere, a woman shunned for being a witch. The interplay between Okolo’s modernity and Tuere’s localism meet as both find they value seeking it, and speaking straight. They find common cause against the village power structure which prefers the status quo at the expense of seeking the truth.
As Okolo confronts the village elders in The Voice, they decide that self – exile is the best option, allowing the village rulers to maintain their power without facing his inquisitiveness. Okolo begins a journey to a larger town only to find himself confronted by more difficulties. He speaks straight and values honesty, however the world around him is complicated by raging thoughts and emotions that cannot be reconciled with Okolo’s honest nature and his quest for the it that makes individuals.
African Psychological Novel
Upon arriving in Sologa, Okolo once again finds trouble as the local powers identify him as a trouble maker. No one has use for a person seeking answers to philosophical questions, especially when it would distract them from the new economy and materialism of a post – colonial African country. Okolo is repeatedly given advice throughout his journey to just keep his head down and abandon his quest for it. As a hero figure he must constantly overcome his doubts and the advice of those that would obstruct his journey.
Eventually Okolo finds that the wider world does not have a place for seekers, and that he must confront Chief Izongo while planting the it in his fellow villagers. Fear plagues Chief Izongo as he organizes a celebration for Okolo’s exile, while some villagers begin to doubt the provenance of money and their treatment of him. Tuere fears and hopes for Okolo’s return, while he gathers his confidence and determination to seek it above all else. Will Okolo overcome Chief Izongo or will he face the fate of all roses that flower above the hedge?
Gabriel Okara’s The Voice
The Voice is a psychological novel that touches on many themes, with truth to oneself versus conformity playing against the backdrop of a changing Africa emerging as a focal point in the story. Although the search for it is never truly defined it will resonate with readers who will both cheer and dismay for Okolo’s resoluteness. A sub – plot about a young woman that Okolo meets struggles though Okara writes with a quick pace and distinctive style. The Voice is a quick read both pleasurable and serious, and is a good introduction to African literature.
The Voice (ISBN 0 00 613154 9) by Gabriel Okara was published by Fontana Modern Novels in 1973.
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