The socio-political imperatives of Nigeria and Africa in general parallel that of Russia that gave impetus to the crafting of Nikolai Gogol's The government inspector. Extensively discuss the above assertion
Sample Solution
One of the most striking parallels between Russia and Nigeria is the widespread corruption that exists in both countries. In Gogol's play, the titular government inspector is a con artist who poses as a high-ranking official from St. Petersburg in order to extort money from the corrupt officials of a small town. This situation is not unlike the one that exists in Nigeria, where government officials at all levels are often corrupt and use their positions to enrich themselves.
Full Answer Section
Another parallel between Russia and Nigeria is the long history of autocratic rule in both countries. In Gogol's play, the town is ruled by a mayor who is a petty tyrant. He is constantly worried about his position and is willing to do anything to maintain his power. This situation is not unlike the one that exists in Nigeria, where the country has been ruled by a series of military dictators and civilian autocrats.
Russia and Nigeria are also both characterized by high levels of social inequality. In Gogol's play, the wealthy merchants and officials live in luxury, while the poor are exploited and abused. This situation is not unlike the one that exists in Nigeria, where the gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider.
Finally, both Russia and Nigeria have been subject to foreign interference. In Gogol's play, the town is visited by a group of foreign merchants who are interested in exploiting the local resources. This situation is not unlike the one that exists in Nigeria, where foreign companies have often been accused of exploiting the country's natural resources and its people.
In conclusion, there are a number of socio-political imperatives that parallel those of Russia in the time of Nikolai Gogol and that gave impetus to the crafting of The Government Inspector. These include corruption, autocratic rule, social inequality, and foreign interference. These imperatives continue to plague Nigeria and Africa in general today.
In addition to the above, here are some other parallels between Russia and Nigeria:
- Both countries are multi-ethnic and multi-religious.
- Both countries have a history of colonialism.
- Both countries have experienced periods of political instability.
- Both countries are facing challenges related to economic development and poverty.
These parallels suggest that the socio-political imperatives of Nigeria and Africa in general are similar to those of Russia in the time of Nikolai Gogol. This can help us to understand the challenges that these countries face and to develop strategies for addressing them.