John Armellino

ERH 203WX 02

Major Knepper

Due 11/5/15

“Why did Uncle Ben Make That Choice?”

“Uncle Ben’s Choice” is a story told in monologue form. Its stream of consciousness format reflects the fact that it is supposed to seem like an oral story, as if the author Chinua Achebe is telling it to you in person. It tells the tale of a young African man, a clerk, and his impressive bachelor lifestyle. As a man who lives fairly well, the narrator seems to have it all, even a “surplus of women.” He does not appear to want to get married, as he had “seen many young men kill themselves with women.” However, at the end of the story, Ben is tempted (at least he believes that he is) with great wealth and material possessions, as well as an intimate relationship with a beautiful woman, but at the cost of never being able to marry, and father children of his own. Ben rejects this temptation and flees, but why? It appears that Ben was never truly concerned with romantic love, but rather with his material possessions. Why the change of heart? If he does not have a family, then upon his death his wealth would go “to outsiders.” Ben does not believe that is “good wealth.” It is the beginning of the narrator becoming a responsible man.

The narrator has a relatively high paying job, and enjoys going out to clubs to drink and meet women. Obviously going out as often as he gives the impression of going, requires a decent amount of moola. He simply does not want to see this wealth go to those that he does not care about. Perhaps this is slow turn from an a selfish obsession with material goods imprinted on him by the colonists around him. After all, why would a selfish man care about his belongings once he is gone? It would no longer concern a selfish man.

It would concern a family man. Ben, when tempted to become the man he has been acting like, ultimately does not give in. He has become a “true son.” Only a “crazy white man” would accept such a deal. Ben learns that the true wealth is his heritage and his legacy, and refuses to give that up.