The central theme throughout “Vengeful Creditor” is one of tension and confrontation. It shows the difference in viewpoints between the lower class and the middle class, who see themselves as higher than they are. By giving details about a specific situation and overshadowing it with a broader view of the whole country, the short story is able to build credibility and show the readers the problems which cause tension between the two groups. Most of the story is told in a narrative voice, rather than through dialogue and character interactions. The story “Vengeful Creditor” was written by Chinua Achebe and first published in 1971 in the inaugural issue of Okike: A Nigerian Journal of New Writing. It is a story of conflict and confrontation,
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Emenike express her frustration at the lack of service given to her after making purchases at the store. She blames it on the free education which she says has depleted the staffing in stores and caused an even bigger hole in house hold staffing. Ignoring the more destitute portion of the populations desire to avail themselves of the free education offered by the government, she only has thoughts of how this has made her life more difficult. Returning home from her shopping trip, she is appalled to find that several member of her own staff have decided to leave the Eminke 's employment including their young errand boy, the gardener, and worst of all in Mrs Eminke 's eyes, the baby-nurse for her son. In Mrs. Eminke 's words,” What was a working mother with a seven-month-old baby supposed to do?” . Within a few months of the programs start, the government halts the free education due to a lack of funds, and many poor students are forced to cease going to school and return to the regular lives. Among these children is Veronica, a young girl of ten, who is broken hearted at the cessation of the schooling. The Eminke 's employ veronica as a nurse for their young child, promising to provide for her to go to school eventually. While the mother and the Emenikes know that these are empty promises, Veronica does not come to this realization until much later. However once she learns of their lies, she becomes bitter and angry toward the Emenikes, …show more content…
In the vengeful creditor, the interests of the middle class are pitted against both the upper and lower class. Many times throughout this story it is shown that the Eminke 's, who represent the middle class as a whole, not only disregard the wants and needs of the lower class but even go so far as to exploit them in order to further their own desires, namely elevating their wealth and position. This attitude of entitlement is typical of middle class citizens. The middle class sees is itself as better than the poverty stricken lower class, but at the same time is aware of the fact that it will never be able to break through the barrier and reach the position that the upper class holds. The lower class is envious of the middle and upper classes privileges and is bitterly longs to be able to break free from the slums in which they live. Many of the lower class family 's have been living this way for generations, with no hope of ever breaking free from the grip of poverty and social status. The attitude of the middle class towards the lower class is callous and uncaring, an attitude which is typical not just of the African culture but of much of the world. On the opposite side of the
Emenike express her frustration at the lack of service given to her after making purchases at the store. She blames it on the free education which she says has depleted the staffing in stores and caused an even bigger hole in house hold staffing. Ignoring the more destitute portion of the populations desire to avail themselves of the free education offered by the government, she only has thoughts of how this has made her life more difficult. Returning home from her shopping trip, she is appalled to find that several member of her own staff have decided to leave the Eminke 's employment including their young errand boy, the gardener, and worst of all in Mrs Eminke 's eyes, the baby-nurse for her son. In Mrs. Eminke 's words,” What was a working mother with a seven-month-old baby supposed to do?” . Within a few months of the programs start, the government halts the free education due to a lack of funds, and many poor students are forced to cease going to school and return to the regular lives. Among these children is Veronica, a young girl of ten, who is broken hearted at the cessation of the schooling. The Eminke 's employ veronica as a nurse for their young child, promising to provide for her to go to school eventually. While the mother and the Emenikes know that these are empty promises, Veronica does not come to this realization until much later. However once she learns of their lies, she becomes bitter and angry toward the Emenikes, …show more content…
In the vengeful creditor, the interests of the middle class are pitted against both the upper and lower class. Many times throughout this story it is shown that the Eminke 's, who represent the middle class as a whole, not only disregard the wants and needs of the lower class but even go so far as to exploit them in order to further their own desires, namely elevating their wealth and position. This attitude of entitlement is typical of middle class citizens. The middle class sees is itself as better than the poverty stricken lower class, but at the same time is aware of the fact that it will never be able to break through the barrier and reach the position that the upper class holds. The lower class is envious of the middle and upper classes privileges and is bitterly longs to be able to break free from the slums in which they live. Many of the lower class family 's have been living this way for generations, with no hope of ever breaking free from the grip of poverty and social status. The attitude of the middle class towards the lower class is callous and uncaring, an attitude which is typical not just of the African culture but of much of the world. On the opposite side of the