Structure

Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path” uses a linear plot structure as the narrator relates how Michael Obi, the main character, tries to get rid of the ancestral footpath that is important to the native villagers. The narration focuses on the conflict between Obi, who wants to modernize the village, and the village priest, who represents the natives and tries to preserve the tradition.

The beginning is a description of Michael Obi’s personality and values that got him the promotion to school headmaster:

It had always been an unprogressive school, so the Mission authorities decided to send a young and energetic man to run it. Obi accepted this responsibility with enthusiasm. He had many wonderful ideas and this was an opportunity to put them i...