A Private Experience By Chmamanda Ngozi Short Story

Violence is an act which involves physical force to harm or damage someone or something while abuse of power is a behavior in which one’s uses his or her power of position in an abusive way. In ‘Cell One’ and ‘A Private Experience’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi, violence and the abuse of power are shown. Both of these short stories are about the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70), which is also named as the Nigerian-Biafran War, where abuse of power and violence are broaden. While possessing a richness and a resonance which is powerful and profound, Adichie's short stories are understated. Through the escalating of abuse of power and violence, there will be negative consequences in lives and a higher rate of brutality; in psychological and social problems
Through this sadistic misuse of power, the powerful one will feel indifferent or more satisfied in abusing the weak one. The hard lives endured by people in Nigeria and their desperate craving to escape are highlighted by Adichie to reflect the misuse of power. In “A Private Experience”, a Quran was ridden upon a Christian man 'mistakenly' in Kano and instantaneously loses his head. His sin was shifted to other believers of his religion, thus, the scampering for safety amidst stampedes sets off. Apart from that, Muslim have more tension in politics than Christian. This also leads to riots as seen in the chapter. Certain groups in politics can aggravate one certain religion making them more prone to violence and in the process, making them an easier target for bad publicity, for example, Muslim decapitates Christian male. In “Cell One”, the old father is jailed because the police cannot find his son who is a suspected criminal. He is dehumanized, humiliated and treated contemptuously, for example, he was ordered by the police to take off his shirt when parading the corridor. This shows the abuse of power by the police. Besides, his sister grew up in the shadow of his limelight. This is due to he was overindulged by his parents and this leads to a sense of inferiority in his sister which will also cause jealousy of his sister.” Hence, the higher rate of brutality is highlighted if the abuse of
This is due to one will be easier to trust someone who face similar difficulties or problems with themselves. By having same worries and hardships, victims of violence or abuse of power will help each other to overcome their problems instead of discriminate each other. In this way, trust between two parties are formed and improved. For instance, in “A Private Experience”, a Hausa Muslim woman who lost her big daughter during riot blocked an Igbo Christian and leading her to a convenience store to stay her away from riot. Apart from that, when the Muslim woman told Chika about her burning nipples, Chika who reads medicine helped her. This shows they helped each other without hesitation. Although they come from different religions, as they are the victims of the riots, they are the same. In “Cell One”, Nnamabia, who was a suspected criminal in a murder case, faced violence as he was beaten by police in cell one till injured because he shouted at the police when he saw them asking the old man parade the corridor naked. Even though he might get into trouble, the lending hand from victims shows. Thus, helps given to each other by both parties who face the similar hardships show the combination of