Nnamabia Doesn't Stand a Chance

In class we were discussing whether we thought Nnamabia was generally a good person or if he only became one after his experience in jail. I feel very conflicted about this. Nnamabia did steal from his own family and he knew he would be hurting his mother by doing so, but he did it anyway. However, I would blame his mischevious behavior on his living situation. People learn what is right and what is wrong as kids from their parents. Nnamabia never learned what was wrong because every time he broke the rules or did something bad, he was never reprimanded for it. Excuses were always made by his mother for his troublesome behavior. Additionally, his parents always wanted to see the best in him. For example, when Nnamabia was asked if he was in a cult he said "Of course not." His father believed him, but yet Nnamabia eventually ended up being arrested for belonging to a cult.

I think this quote supports this argument very well. When they are releasing Nnambia from jail the policeman said "You cannot raise your children properly-all of you people who feel important because you work at the university-and when your children misbehave you think they should not be punished. You are lucky they released him"(41).

I would like to think Nnamabia became a better person after what he experienced in jail. However, it is hard to tell because the story ends right after he gets released. I think being in jail made Nnamabia more mature. He was the only person to speak up and defend the old man. This was very surprising of Nnamabia to do because throughout the story he is described as a character who is selfish and self-absorbed. For once he put someone else first and became a man in the process.