Disability as a Trope in Nigerian Children Novels

Ayodabo Sunday
Introduction
Literary perception of the treatments of disability has changed throughout the last
century. While medical professionals have developed a better understanding of and treatments
for physical illness, many areas of fear and ignorance remain. Many texts written on this theme
are attempts to humanize the stories of those afflicted and to promote a better understanding of
what afflicts them in order to encourage the general public not to demonize or exploit these
people; these texts strive to make us understand the difficulties and pressures they face each day.
However, the need to use disability as a trope for whatever we see as wrong with modern society
still persists.
The foundation of disability as trope in Nigerian literature stem from Quayson (1999) and
Kehinde (2011)s corroboration of disability as a metaphorical effect to represent social
suffering, inadvertently obscuring their true hardships in a literally disabled society. It may be of
interest to establish that in African fiction, according to (Quayson, 1999; Kehinde, 2011) there
are three ways by which tropes of disability is presented. The first one is the Lacanian conceptual
apparatus for theorizing what happens in the encounter with the disabled. The second one is the
discursive ways in which the disabled people are figured or depicted or characterized in Africa
fiction and the third one is the contextualization of disability.
These are substantiated in Kehindes (2009) reading of J.M.Coetzees Life and Times of
Michael K. He presents the text as a postmodern allegory, closely tied to the South African
context; a milieu that was handicapped and disabled during the dismantled apartheid. The text
also transforms the urgent social concerns into more universal troubles, making disability in
Coetzees literary repertoire a signifier of the decadence and disillusionment in Africa, a
continent that is literally disabled. Kehinde further employs disability as a metaphor to signify
black peoples struggle to discover their true identity. According to him, positive representation
of the disabled character has suggested that black people can break out of the racial and social
hierarchies on which the traditional Afrikaner identity is based. In other words, when were
talking about disability as a trope in literature, we are not only necessarily talking about
disability as medical problem, but that we are talking about something different. Though
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Quayson (1999) states the necessity to be suspicious of the over-signification that would ascribe
metaphorical meaning to real disability, but something peculiar seems to happen around
disability within literary text. Disability itself actually does what it is supposed to do, but also
carries additional and symbolic meaning.
Disability is such a powerful and irreducible signifier that it sometimes moves beyond
mere impairment to explain other important issues, in other words, that it winds up being
constitutive of textual elements at every conceivable turn, even in texts that are not ostensibly
about disability like we have in Okphewos The Last Duty. Hence, it resists easy interpretation or
containment. As Quayson (1999) writes, "we have to understand disability's resonance on a
multiplicity of levels simultaneously: disability acts as a threshold or focal point from which
various vectors of the text may be examined" (28). Quayson's close readings of Beckett's Molloy,
Morrison's Paradise and Sula, Soyinka's The Strong Breed and Madmen and Specialists, and
Coetzee's Life and Times of Michael K, clarify and confirm his conceptual arguments.
To situate disability as a trope in childrens texts seems unrealistic, but the representation
of disability covers wider and different socio-cultural situations. Authors sometime go beyond
human physical impairments to depict a rather disabled society. There are also attempts to link
historical epochs with the conditions of disabled people. Ato Quaysons illuminative comment on
the importance and status of disabled people in postcolonial literary works is worth quoting in
details at this juncture:
The presence of disabled people in post-colonial writing marks
more than just the recognition of their obvious presence in the real
world of postcolonial existence and the fact that, in most cases ,
national economies woefully fail to take care of them. It means
much more than that. It also marks the sense of a major
problematic, which is nothing less than the difficult encounter with
history itselfWhat is important to note, however, is that the
encounter with the disabled in postcolonial writing is as much a
struggle to transcend the nightmare of history (65-66).
The above statement to some length links disability beyond history. It captures the disillusioned
and the crippled state of Nigeria and other African societies which are often characterized by
continued ethnic distrusts, religious crises, poverty, corruption, low literacy rates, poor
infrastructural facilities, intermittent military incursions, irresponsive and irresponsible
leadership that have been considered as the bane of most African countries after independence.
These poor socio-economic indices, therefore, have contributed in some ways to subjugating and
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emasculating the masses, including the disabled. In addition, tropes of disability are also
expanded to examine culturally constructed categories like race, gender, class, and sexuality.
Hence, disability intersects with these other identity categories.
Therefore, Nigerian childrens literature can also been considered to be a veritable tool
for explicating such socio-political and economic issues, and disability definitely constitute a
serious concern.
Hence, this paper looks at the metaphorical representation of disability in selected
Nigerian childrens literature highlighting its relationship with culturally constructed categories
like race, gender, class, and sexuality. The paper examines three selected Nigerian childrens
novels. The three texts chosen in this section have a target readership ranging from young
readers to young adult readers. The texts are: The Drummer Boy by Cyprian Ekwensi, Zandi and
the Wonderful Pillow by Chukuka J.I.N and The Blinds Money by Kayode Adeyemos
The First Nigerian published disability text in 1960, the novella The Drummer Boy relates
the adventures of Akin in the urban setting of Lagos, albeit with less-crowded conditions as we
have today, armed with a samba, a West African term for the tambourine, which is a small drum,
flat and circular in shape with a cluster of bells around the rim. With his drum, Akin derives a
sort of narcotic pleasure and escape from the normal worries of a blind person and also brings
joy, comfort and good cheer to those who listen to him play his music. Deserted by his parents
and without any education or trade, Akin makes the open streets his permanent haunt,
occasionally enjoying the goodwill of solicitous members of the public like Madam Bisi and
Herbert, although the latter turns out to belong to the ilk of humanity who would exploit the
disabled for personal gain.
Akin is so relished in his freedom conferred by the power of his music, which affords
him the resources to 'buy a little akara (bean cakes) to eat everyday' that he spurns the genuine
offer of Madam Bisi, who felt scandalised that such a gifted little boy should be allowed to roam
the streets, and would rather see him in a home for the reform of wayward little boys, where he
could learn useful skills.
In his flight from the prospect of a dull and dreary life in Mr. Fletcher's Boys Forest
Home, Akin falls in with bad company in the persons of Herbert and his three other musicianfriends who are members of the Oro cult, and almost gets into trouble with the police. His

triumph over the criminal musicians marks the beginning of his rehabilitation at the Boys Forest
Home.
In Zandi and the Wonderful Pillow, Chukwuka J.I tells a story of Zandi, a boy with a
hunchback. Customarily, any child born with a humpback in this village is thrown into the evil
forest and left to die. Hence, after discovering him from his parents conceal, he is taken from his
family by the villagers and left in the Evil Forest to die. But he manages to survive and tries to
escape this customary ordeal, and after several adventures he returns to his parents with the help
of a Wonderful Pillow, bringing with him prosperity and good fortune.
Kayode Adeyemos The Blinds Money tells the story of a covetous and highly voracious
spoilt boy. Over pampered by his mother and unduly favoured by his school principal, Fola
confidently breaks the school rules and regulations. Soon he is into stealing, gambling and other
forms of debauchery, while the already crippled society looks on. Fola moves on to exploit the
disabled by capitalizing on the blindness of Mr. Dandy, a disabled fellow in the novel.
Disability as Trope in childrens literature
As earlier argued, disability as employed in childrens literature could also be understood when it
signify and explain certain situations in which it is use. The trope of disability covers wider and
different socio-cultural context and some of the authors have treat other issues along with
disability itself and they are discussed below:
Dis/ability as apparatus Class struggle
The kind of class struggle represented here is not the usual economic struggle between the rich
and the poor, but rather between the disabled and the able-bodied. Quayson (2009) made us
believe that the disabled are continually located within a multiple frame of significance that is
activated through the culturally regulated gaze of the able-bodied and that the society they live in
is shot through with inequity and suffering, that they live in a counterfeit paradise, and that they
too are vulnerable (55-56).
Socially, the representation of Akin in The Drummer Boy can be explained base on his
ability to entertain others. In the text, the able-bodied class is represented by people such as
Akins parent, Bisi, Anti, Ayike, Hibert and his friends while Akin represents the disabled class.
First, the unproductiveness and the presence of Akin are met with disdain by his parent, which is
demonstrated by their decision to abandon him. Akin is fully aware of this struggle between the
disabled and the able-bodied:
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No need to be sorry. Theyre not dead. Theyve merely thrown me

out, because Im blind, and a burden to them. But it isnt their
fault. Im of no use to them. (p 38)
While on the other hand, Akin sees his profession a necessity because it makes other
people happy. He might not be as productive as people around him, but he believes his presence
is needed and can aid any form of production. Akin had a memorable stint with Ayinke which
also represent a constant struggle between the disabled and the able-bodied. After Akin had
helped Ayinke with her business; Trade boomed for Ayinke, but never once did she think of
rewarding Akin for his pains; neither did Akin ask her for a penny (42) Akins decision not to
ask further Akins understanding of the struggle between the able-bodied people who find any
means to exploit the disabled in the society. He eventually left her, singing about a woman who
was very rich and later lost everything. Consequently, Akins word became gloomy as her
business began to crumble. It is interesting to note that the people with explicit physical
infirmities beyond doubt, display maverick intelligence and demonstrate the ability to call the
high profile people to order.
In Chukwukas Zandi and the Wonderful Pillow, Zandi was born in a traditional
environment that victimizes children born with humpback. The able-bodied class is represented
by Chief Gati, and the villager while Zandi represent the oppressed disabled class. The constant
battle between these classes is the constant condemnation of the humpback to the Evil Forest.
Zandis father could not stop the tradition when they came for his son and believe that his son
has been relegated to an outcast because hes humpback. He arrives at this belief about his son in
spite of the fact that he is an active member of the society. He says sadistically, I must lose my
son, as I was told in a dream long ago, how can I change the custom to save my son? (31)
Ogenus statement is the language of the man who is totally lacking in confidence, who is so
completely aware of his sons inadequacy that he wishes to efface himself. It is the style of the
man who feels his son has been reduced to nothing because he has been made to feel small by a
custom. Also in Kayodes Adeyemos The Blinds money, the able-bodied class is represented by
the likes of Mr Hastrup, Fola and his friends, while Mr Dandy represents the disabled class. First,
the unproductiveness and the presence of Mr. Dandy are met with pity, but soon turned to disdain
by Fola and his friends, which is demonstrated in their decision to steal from him. Mr. Dandy is
fully aware of this struggle between the disabled and the able-bodied, which ultimately leads to
him fighting back.
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When disability is presented as a metaphorical vehicle for class distinction and struggle,
the disabled class is often affected adversely. In a society where production determines the
structure of the society, physical and social capabilities always form the major factor that
determines each persons role in such society. As such, the poor, the disabled and the lessprivileged are often seen at the downhill.
Post-independence Nigeria society and humans irrational actions as element of Disability
In the novels, disability is use to represent the disillusioned and the crippled state of
Nigerian society which is often characterized by continued ethnic distrust, religious crisis,
poverty, corruption, low literacy rate, poor infrastructural facilities, intermittent military
incursion, irresponsive and irresponsible leadership that has often been considered as the bane of
most African countries after independence. These poor socio-economic indices therefore have
contributed in no way to subjugating and emasculating the masses.
Though the authors were cautious not to woven societal problems with the message they
were trying to pass since the audience are mostly children. But a societys inability to take care
of its citizen especially the disabled raise no hope for other children, hence that society can
equally be tagged as disabled. To some extent, the atmosphere presented in The Drummer Boy
depicts a crippled society where some functioning faculty of the societal systems is tamped with
especially caring for the less privilege. Little wonder some individuals like Herbert and his
friends could exhibit their animalistic tendencies towards Akin just because the system of the
society is not okay. The three boys were seen constantly ravaging the society as the issue of
unemployment persists. They constantly beat and steal from Akin, they were also sent by a man
to burn down Ayikes food house. As if this is not enough, a dusk to dawn curfew is imposed on
the citizens in order to enjoy Oro festival, however, they boys deem it feet to harass and
victimize Ayike during such period.
As the novel progresses it becomes apparent that as long as the disabled are not provided
with social economic opportunities, they will be exploited constantly. Herbert and his friends use
the opportunity to gain control of the economy (p, 68) through illegitimate means. They not
only try to steal some military tires, Akins music was used to divert peoples attention away
from their illicit deed.
In Zandi and the Wonderful Pillow, the readers are also introduced into a world enveloped
with a cruel custom, a universal as well as a natural constraint on the human rights. Chief Gati
6

and his people deny the humpback the right to their birth right. The hatred for the humpbacks is
overtly expressed. Even to the point that; people with humpbacks can never live with others in
the village (33) hence, they are thrown into the Evil Forest to die (33)
These are the characteristics of Nigerian economic and traditional society and by
extension in the other post-independence African nation-state. For this reason, the life of the
disabled does not change for better.
We understand disablism, following Thomas (2007: 73), as a form of social oppression
involving the social imposition of restrictions of activity on people with impairments and the
socially engendered undermining of their psycho-emotional well-being. It is our submission that
to really have a firm grip on disability, one might need to understand the contemporary culture of
disablism. The authors realize that human beings are incapacitated in certain instances. This is
the reason why man is not supreme. Man can therefore be limited by unforeseen circumstances
and forces.
Right from the beginning of Adeyemos The Blinds Money, the readers are introduced
into a world enveloped with educational decadence, a universal as well as a natural constraint on
the childrens educational advancement. As an epitome of Nigerian educational problems,
Adeyemo highlights one of the major problems that persist in the most developing African
countries. No doubt, Nigeria is one these countries and her educational system have been in a
dwindling trend since time of independence. In one of the novels, disability is used to capture the
disillusioned and the crippled state of the educational system which is often characterized by bad
administration, lack of access to educational materials, low discipline, low funding, corruption,
irresponsible and unproductive leadership. Firstly, Nigerian children who should be in school
are not in school. In most schools, especially lgbo-speaking parts, one prevalent problem is the
boy-child drop-out syndrome. The boys, for economic reasons, refuse to go to school, and those
who go to school always engage in unnecessary activities like gambling, examination
malpractices, and mugging. They refuse to complete primary and secondary education because
of the economic problems encountered by the educated in society. Many boys are found in
mechanic villages as apprentices to crafts masters, in various types of businesses, or in other
engagements outside the school. There is also problem of standard of teachers in most secondary
schools. Most teachers employed are inept, and, as a result of their incompetency, students gain

little or no knowledge, no wonders situations as such provide opportunity for parents to

encourage examination malpractices.
Such a situation is epitomized in The Blinds Money. Though the school has one of the
best structures in the area, in spite of the architectural beauty of the school, it was the most
notorious in the metropolis. All forms of indiscipline, ranging from thuggery and examination
malpractices to hooliganism, reigned supreme in the school (2).
The atmosphere presented in The Blinds Money depicts a crippled society where the
educational faculty of the societal systems is tampered with. Little wonder some privileged
individuals like Mr. Hastrup, the principal and Fola, a student could exhibit their animalistic
tendencies just because the educational system of the society is malfunctioning. A sum of three
thousand naira is annually paid to the school by a Chief Adetokunbo Charitable Organization for
the development of the school. However, Mr. Hastrup has another plan for the money;
The three hundred thousand naira school grant for them was ready.
Mr Hastrups plan for the money had nothing to do with the
development of the school. His friends had advised him that if he
knew his way he could build his own house, buy his personal car
and get self-employed through the termely grants from
Adetokunbo Charity Foundation (70)
Mr. Hastrups inability to stop his financial urge, therefore put him in a state where his
weakness is exposed, thereby confirming his disability.
Fola is another character that displays another animalistic tendency as a result of the state
of the society. He goes against the schools rules and regulations as he sees himself as bigger than
the school authority, because the school is getting aid from the charitable organization of his
father. He leads a gang of other unserious students to series of dissipation and finally ends up
stealing from a blind man. Consequently, Fola along with his friends pay for their crime as they
were eventually arrested.
It is believed that beneath every human skin is the unconscious which resides in the
nervous system of the body. This unconscious is often equated with the animalistic principle in
humans that has wrecked so much havoc in humanity through hubristic tendencies achieved
through selfishness, dehumanization, man inhumanity to man among other actions that debases
the morality of man. The successful frequent outlet of the unconscious that negates the rational
and moral principles in humanity often opens up the weakness of man and his generic inability to

overcome his existential weaknesses, therefore confirms a generic disability in every human.
Sometimes, these challenges of human imperfections often pose themselves as Achilles heels.
In the novel, while Folas Achilles heels lead to unhappy end, in spite of his physical and
mental completeness, some with physical disabilities and supposedly poor mental capacities like
Mr. Dandy are able to show up a balance of power with the able ones challenging the existing
status quo. Incapability that can be encountered can also be poor financial power and inadequate
psychological energy to meet with certain challenges in specific situations.
A society polarized by uncertainty is presented with people experiencing incapacitation to
a desired end in the novel. Therefore, the readers are confronted with a world incapacitated to
achieve a desired goal. While the blind Dandy, the Have not, are constrained to cross to the
other world of the Have, to achieve their desires; the like of Fola, who inhabits the world of
Have are as well constrained to appealed to the world of Have not to achieve desire goal by
stealing from the blind man. Man here is generally depicted as not self-sufficient, hence not
complete in himself. This is the very reason we need others for assistance.
Different measures taken by the school management to curb the ensuring problems is
often frustrated by mans incapability. Even when the principal is changed, the new one, Mr.
Hastrup, could not execute the most important measures that will change the system for better.
The school management wants all failed students to look for another school so as to reduce the
uncontainable population, but when the likes of Mrs Alice Adetokunbo came because his son has
been told to find another school, Mr. Hastrup could not resist the pressure of the wife of a
philanthropist who had done so much for the school. He confessed; who am I not to grant her
request? Mr. Hastrup muttered to himself as he dropped back on his seat. I am ready to do
anything for the Adetokunbo family to remain the principal of this school (74-75). Mr. Hastrup
then is a prototype of men who know what is right, yet lack the will-power to correct the wrongs
around them. This is a product of societal construct, or of the endemic nature of corruption and
incompetence. Yet the society accords a place of importance to such men as a leader.
Human weakness and incapability in certain situations continues to reflect in the schools
inability to stop the students from engaging in immoral acts, such as going to Pa Beckleys joint.
In the novel:
The location of the joint is away from the main campus of the
school. Most students have turned the place into an abode of
smoking, drinking, gambling and other forms of debauchery. Many
9

principal have been brought to curb the act, but it had never
worked.
The decision by Mr. Hastrup, the new principal to raise a Civil Disciplinary Squad to
complement the efforts of the members of the staff in instilling discipline in the school is initially
accorded with catalytic ovation from the teachers. Not too long did they begin operation that they
realized they are also incapacitated in achieving their aims due to certain reasons. One member
of the squad, Pius say to his colleagues;
If I have not made any mistake, it is five days now that we
resumed work in this school. Yesterday, something happened
which makes me feel that we may not have the freedom we need to
do our job very well in this school. (78)
Pius had been surprised by Mr. Hastrups actions the earlier day, when he caught Fola
stealing other students boots. He arrested Fola and reported him to the principal, but he is soon
discarded and made to believe that there exists certain individuals in the school that remain
untouchable, because of their parents exploit, thereby rendering the principals idea and his
instrument of change inoperative.
Kayode Adeyemos creative work contrives equilibrium in the balance of power between
the high profile men and the lowly rated in the society. Through enthralling plot structure, the
fictional work attempt to demonstrate that the people usually tagged as disabled are not totally
lacking in power, and, conversely, the powerfully esteemed in the society are not left without
their challenges which invariably render them helpless like the disabled.
Disability as disparity in Nigerian Patriarchal system
Since it has been explained earlier that disability is viewed from metaphorical vistas, the
manner in which women have been psychologically emasculated by their male folk is evident in
The Blinds Money. Age long traditions, customs and beliefs tend to associate feminity with a
weakness, incomplete masculinity, and feeble intellect among others. Thomas Aquinas (12251274) quoted by J, Lee Grady (1960:19) says Woman is defective and misbegotten, for the
active power in the male seed tends to the production of a perfect likeness in the masculine sex,
while production of woman comes from defect in the active force.
The Nigerian society, especially the Yoruba, is one which allows males domination over
their female counterpart, thereby creating a disparity between the sexes. Mens control over the
female folk is sometimes measured by their ability to marry more wives, which they believe
10

represent the financial and sexual supremacy of such men. In the novel, Mrs Alice Adetokunbo
could not but be perplexed by his husbands decision to marry another wife, as she could not
understand his reasons. She asks;
My dear, please tell meis there anything I used to do when we
were counting that I have stopped doing? Or have I been so
blinded by my business activities that I have forgotten to wear my
face as beautiful as before? Is it my food? It (30)
Hence, chief Adetokunbos inability to give reasonable answer reveals the manly attitude
of men in Nigerian society, whose ability to consume many ladies is seen as a sign of both
economic and sexual supremacy. For him, manhood is closely associated with male pride or male
sexual power, and ones inability to perform such sexual power is deemed incapacitated. Hence,
the magnetic correlation between manhood and the human power through the ability to arouse
the appetite for sex and further expand its elasticity is reflected in the character of Chief
Adetokunbo, a business man and philanthropist with a soaring profile who decides to have
another wife, Sewa a young lady, due to his financial and social status.
Though Alice is not incapacitated financially, she has to dance to the tunes of the
domineering overtures of conscientiousness of men borne out of patriarchal system. Hence, the
extent to which the society relegates the women to as mere sheer clips or appendages to men in a
patriarchy setup is presented in The Blinds Money.
Symmetry of power in the tropes of disability
Power is presented in the novels as a tool which everybody possesses, irrespective of
their physical challenges. For example, in The Drummer Boy, Akins power resides in his
musical skill and this is brought to fore as he goes about entertaining people around him;
As she approached, her ears were thrilled by the most exciting
drumming she had ever heard. The rhythm of the drum made her
move quite unconsciously to the beats and she knew at once that
the drummer was good (7).
Akins power of his music, therefore affords him respect and even the resources to eat
every day that he spurns the genuine offer of Madam Bisi to take care of him. This kind of
rational talent displayed by Akin bears great influence on other peoples happiness that they
sometimes groan whenever he decided not to play.

11

Though blind for life, he has courage and passion. He could sense other peoples
suffering and this is clearly seen at the hospital as he is seen; going from bed to other, spreading
comfort and good cheer wherever he went (11). No wonder Madam Bisi has great respect for
Akins inner ability and succinctly confirms that;
We all have our own troubles. But learn a lesson from that boy. See
how that boy is putting up with his own. Blinded for life, and he
cant be more than twelveyet he doesnt sit down and mope. He
makes others happy by being happy himself (13)
Akins ability in inability is very much coveted by the author. Ekwensi no doubt has created an
exciting and courageous character in Akin. Though aided by little romanticism, the author
explains Akins ability to explore on his ears and inner sight even to the extent that he sees more
than anybody with normal sight (34). The author explains when Herbert was approaching Akin
from distance:
But even though he couldnt see, he had wonderful ears. He knew
that someone was coming up the path long before any boy with
normal sight might have guessed. It was a light step, and as the
owner approachedhis voice was not yet broken. Akin guessed
that it must be a boys (24).
He evens goes on to recognize Mr. Marshalls voice; the man he has never met and who
has been looking for Akin to help him. Akin pricked up his ears. Mr. Marshall, the Welfare
Officer was that not the man whom Anti had told him about? (30). His hearing ability no
doubt surpasses his sight inability. His ability to hear distinctly was one of his major strengths
that helped him throughout the novel.
In Zandi and the Wonderful Pillow, Zandis was accepted back to the village because of
his fortune. His doggedness and bravery enabled him to survive the ferocity of the forest, and he
was also brave enough to conquer the spirit queen by stealing her wonderful pillow which later
liberates Zandi of exclusion from the society. After several years, he came back to the village and
built a mansion for his parent. He eventually possessed a power which his people confessed;
This boy is a humpback, he should have thrown into the Evil Forest to die when he was a baby.
But now he is rich and with his Wonderful Pillow; he can become richer. (65) Hence, in the
novel, Zandi's confidence or esteem does not improve over the course of the story until he
achieves something notable and receives the recognition.

12

It is no doubt that the characters with disabilities improve their self-esteem or earn certain
power after demonstrating their strengths to others and the society at large. But one thing is
certain in the novels. They ways the authors presented the power are related to their societal
value. One issue raised in the novels concern ways in which people are valued or not valued as
participants in society, which leads to the question of what constitutes fair treatment. In disability
theory, some argue that the basis of inclusion can be disingenuous. In The Drummer Boy, Akins
inclusion rests on assumptions about his special abilities and his use to society. Without his
useful drumming and singing, would his difference be respected? or if it were not for Zandis
fortune and his Wonderful Pillow, would his disability be as welcomed at the end of the story?
Some would argue that productivity is essential to personhood. The more able-bodied and ableminded a person is, the more valuable that person is to society from the standpoint of
productivity. Therefore, it was justified for the characters to be more valued and further included
after they demonstrated productivity in society, and it does not follow that their inclusion was
necessarily associated with prejudice.
In The Blinds Money, Mr. Dandy does not possess any skill or power as we have in other
novels, but his faith and trust in God portrays the inner ability possessed by the disabled. In spite
being a blind man, he is able to demand his pound of flesh from Fola, who had stolen from him,
and coincidentally has to suffer the brunt of the indignation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Disability as trope, as evident in adult novels, is also seen in childrens
novels. It is obvious that the writers are too focused on educating the children on positive
awareness, nevertheless, the socio-political and economic context of the novels which is
crammed with social volatility such as: unemployment, corruption, class struggle, bad leadership
etc. cannot be undermine, therefore, disability is presented in such condition as a metaphorical
device. This outcome, however, supports the idea that something peculiar seems to happen
around disability within a literary text. It is believed that disability itself actually does what it is
supposed to do, but also carries additional and metaphorical meaning.
Metaphoric analysis of disability in the texts further demonstrate that people with great
abilities surely have frailties which often make them indifferent to the disabled and helpless, in
the face of challenges. This is usually caused by the weakness in human to tame their id- the part
13

of the human psyche that associates man with animalistic instincts, which can lead to fatality if
not controlled just as Chief Adetokunbo and Fola in The Blinds Money unwarrantedly meet their
woes in attempts to satisfy their psyche. In addition, the daring courage of women like Alice in
leveling patriarchy or male domination is indicative of the phase in feminism movement that
may be termed radical in its orientation.

REFERENCES
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Balogun, J. P 2007. Class Stratification in Post-Independence African Novels: an example of
Xala. Zaria: ABU Press Limited
Chukwuka, JIN. Zandi and the Wonderful Pillow. Holad Publisher: Ibadan
Ekwensi, C. 1960. The Drummer Boy. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Grady, J. 1960. 10 lies the church tells women Lagos: Billtop Books
Kehinde, A 2009. Ability in disability: the empowerment of the disabled in J.M.Coetzees life
and times of Michael K. University of Mumbai: Center for African Studies
Quayson, Ato, 1999 Looking Awry: Tropes of Disability in Post-colonial Writing In: An
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