Character of Nancy in Dead Men's path?

Answer 1

Obi's wife, Nancy, shares her husband's beliefs. Achebe creates the idea that she is a shallow person, and wants to be the center of the convocation, and always be in the lime light. He makes it seem as if she is more interested in showing off her status and impressing other people than making their lives better. We can tell that she wants to have lots of attention, when Achebe talks of how she is a bit of a follower, 'imitating' the women in the magazines. This gives the impression that Obi's Wife wants to be like them, and if she imitates the women in the magazines, she might gain their popularity. Achebe talks of how Nancy saw herself as an 'admired wife' of the Headmaster; this gives the impression that she is vain and quite selfish. When she calls herself a 'queen of the school' we gather the impression that she is an unrealistic dreamer, and is again thinking about herself, not Obi. Achebe talks of how Nancy believes that the wives and teachers would 'envy her position', which is exactly what she wants. Metaphorically, she believes she has become the woman in the 'magazine', and people will now look up to her for trends and fashion; 'She would set the fashion in everything'.

Answer 2

Nancy is a traditional and obedient character in "Dead Men's Path." She adheres to the beliefs of her husband, Michael Obi, without questioning them and supports his decisions without challenge. Her character represents the societal expectations placed on women during the time period in which the story is set.