Season of Anomy: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Wole Soyinka

First published: 1973

Genre: Novel

Locale: An African country

Plot: Social

Time: After 1960

Ofeyi (oh-FAY-yee), a chief promotions man for the Cocoa Corporation, also called the Coordinator because he organizes the campaign to sell cocoa products. Sent on a trip to study other methods because he is showing signs of insubordinate thought, he is fascinated by the power of backwater Aiyero to reclaim its youth after they study or work abroad. By placing Aiyero emigrants in key places throughout the country and lacing his advertising campaign with subtly anti-government and anticorporation images, he undermines the ruling combination of white industrialists and native government and military men represented by the Cartel.

Pa Ahime (ah-HEE-may), the chief minister to the Founder of Aiyero and its breakaway cult. Ahime recruits Ofeyi as next Founder (Custodian of the Grain) and assists him in his plan of subversion. Later, he helps to organize and protect those who have escaped the Cartel's bloody counterstroke.

Iriyise (ee-ree-YEE-say), also called the Celestial, the Irides-cent, and the Cocoa Princess, Ofeyi's volatile lover and the cynosure of his advertising campaign. She is kidnapped by Cartel forces and found in a coma by Ofeyi. Both are rescued from Temoko Prison by the combined efforts of Zaccheus, the Dentist, and the Doctor.

Zaccheus (ZAHK-ee-uhs), a bandleader who arranges and performs Ofeyi's songs. He witnesses Iriyise's kidnapping and accompanies Ofeyi on his many adventures to find and rescue her.

Taiila (ti-EE-lah), the Indian friend and lover of Ofeyi. She intends to become a nun, arguing with Ofeyi over their differing perceptions of the world. She meets him when he has an established relationship with Iriyise and sees him after a long separation in the home of her brother.

The Doctor, Taiila's brother, who ministers to victims of the Cartel pogrom, only to see those whom he saves killed by relentless soldiers. After Ofeyi and Zaccheus have failed to find Iriyise in his morgue, he takes them home, where they meet his mother and Taiila.

Isola Demakin (ee-SOH-lah deh-MAH-kihn), the Dentist, an Aiyero native who has studied dentistry abroad and meets Ofeyi when the latter is creating his subversive network. The philosophically diametric opposite of Taiila, the Dentist expands beyond systematic extermination of lower-level functionaries to planned assassination of Cartel leaders.

Chief Batoki (bah-TOH-kee), one of the four most powerful members of the Cartel, known as the Big Four. He is the “brains” of the group, adept at behind-the-scenes maneuvering and setting one party against another.

Zaki Amuri (ZAH-kee ah-MOO-ree), another of the Big Four and the tyrant of Cross-river, where the whites do their mining and many Aiyero agents have settled. He launches the pogrom against proponents of economic and political freedom.

Karaun (kah-RAH-ewn), the governor of Temoko Prison, so nicknamed because of his physical handicaps. He has opened the prison to people fleeing murderous mobs. On Cartel orders, he has also kept Iriyise in the “lunatic” section of the prison, and he has Ofeyi placed there with her.

Semi-dozen, the Doctor's immensely obese neighbor, who drinks exactly six beers every evening. He is a token native officer of the mining company. When the pogrom and attendant mob action begin, he puts his family on a passenger truck going to the “South.” When the driver and passengers are massacred, he makes his house into a bomb and himself into bait to attract and destroy some of those who killed his family.

Biye (BEE-yay), the daughter and fanatical supporter of Chief Batoki, often defending him against the verbal assaults of Ofeyi and her mother.

The Chairman of the Cocoa Corporation. He is deceived into helplessness by Ofeyi's campaign. The Corporation therefore becomes known as “The Headless Corpse.”

Suberu (sew-BAY-rew), a giant trusty devoted to Karaun. He has refused release so that he can serve Karaun. After listening to Ofeyi, he is last seen walking purposefully away, perhaps to leave the prison, perhaps to confront Karaun about his treatment of prisoners.

The Trouble-shooter, who is appointed by Cartel headquarters and approved by the government to investigate Ofeyi's treachery and deal with him. Ofeyi resigns on the spot and leaves without being detained as planned.

Mrs. Batoki, the Chief's large and overbearing wife. She never lets him forget that he owes his success to her family's prestige.

Spyhole, a malicious newspaper columnist in league with Zaccheus and Ofeyi.

Chief Biga (BEE-gah), another of the Big Four. He had once kidnapped Iriyise to fix a beauty contest.

Commandant, the other member of the Big Four, representing the military.

Elihu and Aliyu (ah-LEE-yew), the self-appointed priest and guardian, respectively, of many refugees from the Cartel persecution.

IQ, the Chairman's intelligence officer, who interprets the hidden messages in Ofeyi's advertising material.