The novel is just but a slice of life in a typical society. The question is: Should we blame the mirror for our distorted face? These parents say yes and actually advocates for the smashing of the mirror against the wall so that the distorted face is not reflected. 

With or without the mirror, this distortion remains and we cannot wish it away. It is a societal responsibility to systematically correct the eroded moral fibre. Better still, when we have this reflection all over, we know exactly where the rot lies. This is why literature is necessary. 

This book ranks better than what we hear from pulpits every Sunday. It is better than what confronts us on the streets in towns. It's not comparable to what happens in our society in the full view of the youth we purport to protect. 

Youth are exposed to pornographic magazines. They watch dirt films and even participate in pornographic acts. We have allowed them to dress scantily under our very eyes. Our silence is but approval. Our society is morally sick and the pill that Achebe provides us is a bitter one.

If we are to start the healing process, we must swallow the bitter pill. We might substitute Achebe's novel with a holier dossier, but the rottenness remains. In any case, all this rot has matured in the full presence of our holy books. 

Let us shun pretence and deal with the hard moral issues at hand. 

Kinoti A. Kiogora, 
Mandera. 

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