The Clock Summary by Dinzei Maureen Marris

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 THE CLOCK BY NGOZI CHIMA UZOSIKE

It was the time when Akamu was beginning to be laced with social and cultural malaise. The infiltration by foreigners who come with their norms, ways and values is fast eroding the values, norms and culture of the Akamu village. It was a general departure from the norm for which the villagers were known. Out of the much concern felt by Mama and a few patriotic others. The growing trend was to be reversed so as to sustain the village's socio-cultural way of life. To that effect, Mama summons the villagers to shed light on this and to warn them against the evil days, looming ahead. And Mama's major tool is story-telling. The villagers had gathered in wait for Mama who never showed up. Mama's disappearance became worrisome to the villagers as there was no clue about her whereabouts. The community head ordered a search party for Mama through some of the chiefs.

Mama's disappearance from the village was as a result of failing health. She sneaked to her oldest son's (Nwankwo) place in Owelle where she began taking treatment at St. Monica's hospital. Mama's stay in the hospital turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the meeting with her old school friends not only brought her psychological relief but also a better socio-economic life.

Themes

1. The place of women in socio-economic development 

2. Communal concern for one another

3. Effects of Missionaries in African development 

4. Story-telling as a form of entertainment and a source of inspiration/Educational enlightenment 

5. The importance of mental health 

6. The joy of reunion/ Benefits of making good friends

7. God is present in the problems of life

8. Social reformation

Narrative Technique/ Figures of Speech

 Suspense

Flashback

Language 

Metaphor: The title of the novel "The Clock", is a metaphorical representation of the importance of time given that time is a great  determining factor between success and failure.

Irony: It is a situational irony that the women who nurture the men of Akamu are unfairly treated by the same men as the tradition of the land permits.

Story telling: The villagers gather from time to time to listen to interesting stories from Mama.

Setting:

The physical setting of the story are Akamu and Owelle.

Characters/ Characterization

Chiamaka

Adaku

Mama Nwakwo

Chizoba

Mazi Okeke, Obiajulu

Eze Nwagu

Prophetic Isaac

Nwankwo

Dr. Nkechi Obinna

Dr. Sam Oluchi

Mgbafor

Dr. Rita Eze

Dr. Nkiru Chinemere

Miss Nweke

Chief Nwakibe

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