The Mad Man

 In "The Madman" by Chinua Achebe, the protagonist is a wanderer (Madman) drawn to bustling markets and long, straight roads. He discovers two such markets, Afo and Eke, connected by a mysterious highway. He avoids confrontations and defilement by the market women and sets out on the road to Eke, carrying his belongings and a cudgel for protection.

As he nears Eke, he encounters young ladies carrying water-pots in the opposite direction from the market, which surprises him. Feeling thirsty, he leaves the highway to follow a footpath, promising the road that he will bring water back for it. 

Meanwhile, in the town of Ogbu, Nwibe is a respected and wealthy man who intends to seek admission into the esteemed ozo society. The ozo men cautiously acknowledge his proposal, advising him to ensure he is fully prepared for the commitment.

Nwibe

Nwibe wakes up early to tend to his farm before heading to the market in Eke. He plans to enjoy some palm wine with his peers and buy roofing thatch for his wives' huts. He has already replaced his own hut's thatch with zinc but plans to do the same for his wives' huts in the future.

Nwibe's compound is home to two wives, Mgboye and Udenkwo. Mgboye is peaceful and rarely engages in conflicts with Udenkwo, the junior wife. However, on this particular morning, Udenkwo accuses Mgboye of spite and wickedness over a dog-related incident. Their argument grows heated, with Udenkwo berating Mgboye for not covering her soup pot and blaming her for the dog's actions.

Nwibe listens to the escalating argument silently but eventually intervenes, calling out to Mgboye and urging her to bring peace to the compound. He expresses his desire for tranquility and criticizes Udenkwo's behavior. Udenkwo responds sarcastically, mocking Nwibe's intervention.

The Chase 

 Nwibe has finished his work on the farm and heads towards the market. On his way, he decides to wash off the sweat at a stream. Unbeknownst to him, the madman, who recognizes Nwibe as the same man who mistreated him in the past, observes him with amusement. The madman recalls the incidents where Nwibe had been involved in causing him harm and finds humor in the situation.

Nwibe suddenly turns around and sees the naked madman laughing. He becomes stern and accuses the madman of being naked and acting inappropriately. The madman continues to laugh and playfully wraps Nwibe's cloth around his waist, finding amusement in his actions. Nwibe threatens the madman with violence, intending to whip him to correct his madness.

They engage in a chase up a steep and rocky footpath surrounded by the shadowy forest. Nwibe's anger intensifies, and despite stumbling and falling, he persists in pursuing the madman, determined to discipline him.

The Madman 

 Nwibe continues to chase the man who has taken his cloth, while the madman runs before him. the people who see Nwibe think he is the madman as he runs naked. Nwibe runs frantically, pleading with people along the way to stop the madman and retrieve his cloth. However, as the crowds in the marketplace grow denser, Nwibe becomes separated from the man with his cloth.

People react with surprise and amusement to Nwibe's cries for help, attributing it to his madness. Two men from Nwibe's village recognize him and attempt to catch up to him, hoping to prevent him from entering the market's mystical territory. Despite their efforts, Nwibe enters the crowded square.

Udenkwo, Nwibe's wife, tears off her top-cloth and drapes it over him. She leads him home, accompanied by a group of grieving villagers and relatives. Nwibe's condition is described as a deep and speechless madness. They seek the help of a medicine-man, but he refuses, stating that he cannot bring back a man who has consumed the spirit-waters of ani-mmo.

The End 

Nwibe's relatives consult a second doctor who recognizes the severity of his madness but still strives to help. While the cure is successful, remnants of his condition linger, haunting him. The miraculous healer is hailed as a renowned "Sojourner to the Land of the Spirits," but Nwibe remains a withdrawn and quiet individual, avoiding the lively aspects of community life. When he seeks to regain his status by joining the titled men, they tactfully avoid the topic, implying that his past actions have permanently marked him.