- Chinua Achebe

Comprehension I

I. Answer the following questions in a word, a phrase or a sentence

each: -
1. What was the popular name of Rufus Okeke?
Ans: Roof
2. To which village did Roof belong?
Ans: Umuofia.
3. Roof was a popular young man because he…..
Ans: had not abandoned his village.
4. How many years did Roof spent as a bicycle repairer’s apprentice in
Port Harcourt?
Ans: Two years
5. Who did Roof campaign for in ‘The Voter’?
Ans: Marcus Ibe
6. Who was the minister of culture in the outgoing government?
Ans: Marcus Ibe
7. Marcus Ibe had earlier been ……….
Ans: a school teacher
8. The fact that Marcus Ibe left the good things of the capital and
returned to his village whenever he could, shows,
Ans: he enjoyed all the comforts of the city in his village.
9. What is the name of Marcus Ibe’s new house?
Ans: Umuofia Mansions.
10. What was the warning given by Roof to the Minister before two
months of the election?
Ans: Roof had warned him about the radical change that had come into the
thinking of Umuofia.
11. How many shillings Ibe offered to his voters?
Ans: Two shillings.
12. Which are the two political parties mentioned in “The Voter”?
Ans: PAP (People’s Alliance Party and POP (Progressive Organization Party).
13. Who is the opponent of Marcus Ibe in the election?
Ans: Maduka.
14. How much money POP campaign team offered to Roof?
Ans: Five pounds.
15. Marcus Ibe had hired Highlife Band from …………
Ans: Umuru
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16. What is the symbol of PAP for the election?
Ans: Motor Car.
17. What had Roof become a real expert in?
Ans: Election campaigning.
18. What was Marcus Ibe in the outgoing Government in ‘The Voter’?
Ans: Minister of Culture.
19. What does PAP Stand for in ‘The Voter’? March – 2018
Ans: People’s Alliance Party.
20. The 'whispering campaign ' is a …………..
Ans: clandestine distribution of money
21. The village elder Ezenwa tilted the lamp a little because………..
Ans: he wanted to confirm the amount paid to each.
22. Firewood refers to……….
Ans: the benefits the elders received
23. Roof was mesmerized by………….
Ans: the red notes on the floor
24. Roof's act of inserting the torn ballot papers in two boxes
signifies…….
Ans: absolving himself of his guilt
25. Where did Roof work as a bicycle repairer's apprentice?
Ans: Port Harcourt.
26. Who had formed the Progressive Organisation party?
Ans: The Progressive Organisation Party had been formed by the tribes
down the coast.
27. What proverb does the writer use to describe the opposition to
Marcus Ibe?
Ans: The writer uses the proverb, “fly trying to move a dunghill", it
describes strength of Marcus Ibe and weakness of opposition party.
28. After the feasting was over the villagers……..
Ans: intended to demand more for their votes.
29. Which is the Opposition party of Marcus?
Ans: Progressive Organisation Party (POP)

Comprehension II
III. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 80 – 100 words
each: -

1. Why did the villagers change their attitude towards Marcus Ibe
before the second election in the lesson ‘The Voter’?
Ans: Marcus Ibe was the Minister of Culture in the outgoing government
and he belonged to PAP, the People’s Alliance Party. Roof was the election
campaigner for Marcus Ibe. He had already warned Marcus about the
change in the people’s attitude. Though the villagers were innocent, they
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had seen that Marcus had made a lot of money and acquired car and
bungalow in those five years. He also had a private power plant to supply
power to his house, when the village had no running water or electricity.
The villagers realized that Marcus had made his life luxurious instead of
taking care of the welfare of the people. So they decided not to give free
votes to him in the forthcoming elections.

2. Describe, how Marcus Ibe in ‘The Voter’ had managed to become a

‘Successful’ Politician. March – 2016
Ans: Earlier Marcus Ibe was a not-too-successful mission school teacher.
When he was almost on the verge of dismissal on the basis of a female
teacher’s complaint, he joined politics, got elected as a representative of
Umuofia and was made minister of culture. In a period of five years Marcus
became very wealthy, was given many chieftaincies titles and a doctorate
degree and several other honours. He had amassed a lot of wealth and
power. To win the villagers, he threw a grand party to them as he knew that
it was their votes that would bring good fortune.

3. How did Roof make the villagers agree to vote for PAP’s Marcus Ibe?
Ans: Roof was a very popular man is his village. The people of Umuofia
village had a lot of trust in him. He was an expert in election campaigning.
Marcus Ibe, the Minister, wanted Roof to work for him in the upcoming
elections. Roof had understood that people were not happy with Marcus and
they might not vote for him this time. He met a few villagers and explained
to them that Marcus Ibe would bring a lot of developments to their village.
He made them believe that every honour that the village received was due to
the hard work of Marcus and they were favoured all the time by PAP, the
People’s Alliance Party to which Marcus belonged. Finally, Roof tempted the
villagers with money. He promised them two shillings each if they along
with their family members would vote for Marcus Ibe in the elections.

4. Rufus Okeke was truly skilled in politics. Explain with reference to

the voter.
Ans: Rufus Okeke was popular in his village as a knowledgeable person. He
was in the service of Marcus Ibe, the minister for culture. He was a real
expert in election campaigning at all levels, the village, local and national.
He could even tell the mood and temper of the electorate. The way he deals
with the elders of the village and convinces them to vote for Marcus is
appreciable. He makes use of his powers and gets expensive gifts from
Marcus, much against the wishes of Marcus’ wife. But later, when he is
approached by the leader of the POP, he makes use of the opportunity
skillfully. He tries to be very normal on the election-day, even influences
people to vote for Marcus but tears his ballot paper and votes for both
Marcus and Maduka. This shows that he was truly skilled in politics.
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5. Describe the scene on the election- day in Umuofia.
Ans: On the busy day of election, men and women in Umuofia village came
to the voting booth with enthusiasm. On the way, people found a lot of
posters of both POP and PAP parties. PAP leader Marcus Ibe had arranged a
music hand to attract the attention of the people. Marcus was sitting in his
big green car watching and smiling at the villagers. The illiterate villagers
shook hands with Marcus and congratulated him even before they cast their
votes. Roof was reminding the people to vote for Marcus in the Motor Car
symbol. He assured them that they would get rich to ride a car if they voted
for Marcus. It was his turn to go into the booth to vote. When he went
inside, he was in a dilemma whether to vote for Marcus or Maduka. Both
the leaders had given him lots of money. So he tore his ballot paper into two
and put one in each box. The election officials put a purple ink mark on his
finger

6. What was the justification for the formation of the POP?

Ans: POP stands for Progressive Organization Party. This party was formed
by the tribes down the cast to save themselves as the founders of the party
proclaimed, from “total, political, cultural, social and religious annihilation.
The POP was a complete non entity in the first election. When tribal people
understood that there was no opposition to the ruling party they decided to
come to power. In the story, there was no hint about the objectives of the
PAP, but the organizers of POP claimed that they wanted to save the people
from all aspects.

7. Describe the significance of meeting between Roof and POP

campaign team in The Voter.
Ans: The meeting between Roof and POP campaign team highlights how
voters are easily bought and voters are induced to vote for monetary
considerations, one night, the local camp leaders pay a visit to Roof and
bribes him with five pounds’ money and asks for his vote. When Roof tells
them that he can’t deceive Marcus, they assure him that they would not
reveal his treachery to anyone. After taking the bribe of five pounds, Roof is
made to swear on the ‘iyi’ that he will vote for ‘Maduka’, the position leader.
This meeting leaves him in confusion. So when he goes into the voting
booth to cast his vote, he finds himself torn between his loyalty and wrath
of ‘iyi.

8. The POP campaign leaders meeting with Roof shows the misuse of
transparency in a democratic setup. Discuss.
An: Democracy is a system where anybody can be bribed and anybody can
bribe. In the same way, the POP campaign leader came to Roof and bribed
him five pounds. There is no transparency in a democratic system, as all
the candidates distribute money or things to the people and buy their votes.
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Currency becomes more valuable than a vote, so instead of vote value, it
can be called currency value. Because currency could do anything in the
world, the system of election must be changed.

9. To every human comes a time of reckoning. How does Roof’s

dilemma on the day of the election reflect this?
Ans: Roof’s dilemma is not only his but is universal for those who take
money from the candidates. The roof is the representation of ordinary
people who take money for their livelihood. It is neither completely accepted
as moral nor punished as immoral. Because the system is like this, the rich
are becoming richer by corrupting. A man like Roof who takes a small
amount of money could not be assessed as a culprit according to social
justice.

3. What comment on the electoral system does the story offer? Is it

relevant?
Ans: The story comments that the electoral system is not transparent in the
present democratic setup because there is a chance of running these
elections with currency instead of votes. Necessary steps have to be taken
by people to change the present system to elect people in a transparent way.
If that happens, we could expect a very good and transparent election
system in Democracy. And it is relevant today as it is the responsibility of
every citizen to think of it.

Comprehension III

IV. Answer the following questions in about 200 words: -

1. Why had Marcus withdrawn his salary in advance?

Marcus had withdrawn five months salary in advance to bribe the values
during and after the colonial era. Author points out that election system has
lost its sanctity, where whole system is misused by greedy politicians. The
villagers had five years in which to see how quickly and plentifully politics
brought wealth, chieftaincy titles, doctorate degrees and other honours
Anyhow, these honours and benefits had come so readily to the man to
whom they had given their votes free of charge five years ago that they were
now ready to try it in a different way.
Their point was that only the other day Marcus Ibe was not too
successful mission school teacher. Then politics had come to their village
and he had wisely joined up, some said just in time to avoid imminent
dismissal arising from a female teacher's complaint. Today he was Chief the
Honorable; he had two long cars and just built himself the biggest house
anyone had seen in these parts. But let it be said that none of these
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successes had gone to Marcus's head as well they might. He remained
devoted to his people. Whenever he could he left the good things of the
capital and returned to his village which had neither running water nor
electricity, although he had lately installed a private plant to supply
electricity to his new house. He knew the source of his good fortune, unlike
the little bird that ate and drank and went out to challenge his personal
spirit. Marcus had christened to his new house “Umuofia Mansions” in
honor of his village, and he had slaughtered five bulls and countless goats
to entertain the people on the day. But when the feasting was over, the
villagers told themselves that they had underrated the power of the ballot
paper before and should not do so again. They said “We did not ask him for
money yesterday; we shall not ask him tomorrow. But today is our day”.

2. Roof is an intelligent manipulator. Justify with reference to the

story.
Ans: “The Voter” is a story by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet,
professor and critic. In this he unravels the lapses of newly introduced
Western democratic system in Africa where the native people are innocent
and do not understand the intricacies leading to corruption and
manipulation. No doubt, Roof is shrewd and a manipulator. Throughout the
story there are many instances where he proves his skills. He stayed back
in Umuofia to guide people thus winning their confidence. When politics
made its entry in his village he capitalized his strength by supporting
Marcus Ibe. After Marcus became the minister, he took advantage of the
situation. He got many favours through Ibe’s influence. When it was time
for the second election, he had already read the mood and mind of his
villagers. He negotiated with them over four shillings in return for their
votes to Marcus Ibe. He made most of the situation when an offer came
from Maduka for five pounds. His attitude suits exactly how people and
money operate under the influence of politics. He is a quick decision maker
and didn’t hesitate to tear his ballot paper into two to strike a balance. This
proves that he is an intelligent manipulator.

3. What comment does the story offer on electoral system? Is it

relevant?
OR
‘Democracy is more than holding elections regularly.’ Do you think the
story highlights this statement?

Ans: “The Voter” is a story by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet,

professor and critic. In this he unravels the lapses of newly introduced
Western democratic system in Africa where the native people are innocent
and do not understand the intricacies leading to corruption and
manipulation. The background of Umuofia, its gullible people sets the tone
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for the story. No doubt, Roof forms the perfect manipulator. Throughout
the story there are many instances where he proves his skills. He stayed
back in Umuofia to guide people thus winning their confidence. When
politics made its entry in his village he capitalized his strength by
supporting Marcus Ibe. After Marcus became the minister, he took
advantage of the situation. He got many favours through Ibe’s influence.
When it was time for the second election, he had already read the mood and
mind of his villagers. He negotiated with them over four shillings in return
for their votes to Marcus Ibe. He made most of the situation when an offer
came from Maduka for five pounds. His attitude suits exactly how people
and money operate under the influence of politics. He is a quick decision
maker and didn’t hesitate to tear his ballot paper into two to strike a
balance. Here the colonizers’ shadows still play spoilsport with their modern
systems of politics on the innocence of indigenous people.

4. Roof is an intelligent manipulator. Justify with reference to the

story.
Or
‘Roof is an intelligent Manipulator’. Justify with reference to the story
‘The Voter’. March – 2017
Ans: Roof was the most trusted servant of Marcus. He was also popular
with the villages of Umuofia. He had become an expert in election
campaigning. He could tell the mood of the electorate. After conducting the
whispering campaign successfully, he warned the minister that the villagers
had become more intelligent in the last five years, wondering how quickly
politics had brought wealth, titles and doctorate degrees to the elected
leader.
Meanwhile the opposition party ‘Progressive Organization Party (POP)
with considerable money power plunges into election campaigning. One
night, the local camp leader pays a visit to ‘Roof’ and bribes him with five
pounds’ money and asks for his vote. When ‘Roof’ tells them he could not
deceive Marcus, they assure him that they would not reveal his treachery to
any one and after ‘Roof’ takes the bribe of five pounds he is asked to swear
on the ‘iyi’ that he will vote for ‘Maduka’ the opposition leader. Even on the
election day ‘Roof’ campaigns for Marcus and when he goes into the voting
booth to cast his vote he was torn between his loyalty and the wrath of ‘iyi’.
So he tears up his ballot paper into two pieces and casts one piece each to
both ‘Marcus’ and ‘Maduka’. Hence he resolves the issue diplomatically.

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5. Describe Roof’s role as an election campaigner in Chinua Achebe’s
story ‘The Voter’?
Or
Give an account of Roof’s role as an election campaigner.
Or
To what extent was Roof the most trusted of the whispering
campaigners in ‘The Voter’? March – 2015
Or
Give an account of Roof’s role as an election campaigner. March – 2019
Ans: Roof, as expected, was in service of honorable minister and had
become an expert in election campaigning. He knew the mood of the
electorate and had warned the minister that the villagers had become more
intelligent in the last five years, wondering how quickly politics had brought
wealth, titles and doctorate degrees to the elected leader. Meanwhile the
opposition party ‘Progressive Organization Party (POP) with considerable
money power plunges into election campaigning. One night, the local camp
leader pays a visit to ‘Roof’ and bribes him with five pounds’ money and
asks for his vote. When ‘Roof’ tells them he could not deceive Marcus, they
assure him that they would not reveal his treachery to any one and after
Roof’ takes the bribe of five pounds he is asked to swear on the ‘iyi’ that he
will vote for ‘Maduka’ the opposition leader. Even on the election day ‘Roof’
campaigns for Marcus and when he goes into the voting booth to cast his
vote he was torn between his loyalty and the wrath of ‘iyi’. So he tears up
his ballot paper into two pieces and casts one piece each to both ‘Marcus’
and ‘Maduka’. He comes out of the voting booth relived. Roof was the most
trusted servant of Marcus. He was also popular with the villages of
Umuofia. Being a popular person ‘Roof’ could judge the villagers, mood and
inform Marcus accordingly. Before bribing two shillings to a group of elders,
he asks them that the people of Umuofia should be honoured to have a
leader like Marcus in their midst and the leaders of PAP also favoured their
village. He, then, increases it to three shillings and proclaims that if it is not
enough for them, then they are free to vote for the opposition. The elders
agree to cast their vote in favour of Marcus.

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