A POST-COLONIAL READING OF CORRUPTION IN KEN SARO-WIWA’S A FOREST OF FLOWERS

ABSTRACT

This work examined the theme of corruption in post-colonial Nigerian society using Ken Saro-Wiwa's collection of short stories, A Forest of Flowers. The purpose of this study is to explore the persistence of corruption in Nigeria following independence and its impact on societal challenges. The study focused on Saro Wiwa's work due to his reputation as a renowned Nigerian writer and activist who provides valuable insights on the menace of corruption, and its various dimensions in post-colonial Nigerian society This work employed qualitative analysis of various instances of corruption from the text and their effects on characters and the environment through a close reading of selected stories from A Forest of Flowers. The primary data consists of Six Short Stories from Saro-Wiwa’s A Forest of Flowers which are Home, Sweet Home, The Inspector Calls, An Overhaul. A Family Affair, A Death in Town and Case No. 100. This work also applied a post-colonial theoretical framework to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of corruption in Nigeria. The findings of this essay show three key manifestations of corruption in post-colonial Nigeria which are power imbalance, exploitation, and religious hypocrisy. This research also highlights the adverse consequences of corruption on the post-colonial society and emphasises the importance of transparency, accountability, and justice in addressing this pervasive issue in post-colonial Nigerian society