Hybrid Identities and Power Dynamics in Postcolonial Umuofia: A Close Reading of The Voter.

Chinua Achebe’s short story The Voter examines the idea of compromised agency in postcolonial Nigeria through the character of Rufus Okeke (Roof). Through the lens of Homi Bhabha’s ideas of mimicry and hybridity, this paper reads Roof’s dilemma while also revealing the limitations of Bhabha. Bhabha’...

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Publicado en:k@ta Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 107 - 121
Autor principal: Ardana, Stefanus Galang
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Petra Christian University, Institute of Research & Community Outreach Dec2025
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Hybrid Identities and Power Dynamics in Postcolonial Umuofia: A Close Reading of The Voter.
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        au: Ardana, Stefanus Galang
        affil: Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana, INDONESIA.
      su:
        Power (Social sciences) in literature
        Achebe, Chinua, 1930-2013
        Nigeria
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        subj:
          Nigeria
          Power (Social sciences) in literature
          Achebe, Chinua, 1930-2013
      keyword:
        Chinua Achebe
        Homi K. Bhabha
        Hybridity
        Mimicry
        The Voter
      ab: Chinua Achebe’s short story The Voter examines the idea of compromised agency in postcolonial Nigeria through the character of Rufus Okeke (Roof). Through the lens of Homi Bhabha’s ideas of mimicry and hybridity, this paper reads Roof’s dilemma while also revealing the limitations of Bhabha. Bhabha’s concept of hybrid and the third space are sites of possible negotiation and resistance. Meanwhile Roof’s engagement with a corrupt political system illustrates a cruel world of psychological tension, economic need, and moral compromise. His choices may not be acts of liberation themselves; rather, they are strategies for survival within a structure that continues to reflect colonial relations of power. This study juxtaposes Bhabha’s theory with Frantz Fanon’s and Achille Mbembe’s materialist critiques. This demonstrates how Achebe advocates for a postcolonial reading that takes the lived realities of complicity and survival more seriously. Moreover, the paper argues for a more grounded view of how identity is negotiated under the shadow of colonial rule.
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    language: English
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