Mister Johnson

Mister Johnson, a Nigerian who has adopted the style of the British colonialists, marries Bamu in a Christian ceremony. He offers to share his 'wealth' and 'civilized' life with her, but she continues to act in her traditional Nigerian role as a wife. The couple's union sets up the tension between colonial aspirations and native customs.

Waziri offers to pay Johnson to show him government letters from Rudbeck's office that could undermine the judge's authority. Johnson refuses, staying loyal to Great Britain. The moment highlights the fragile web of loyalty and manipulation in the colony.

Johnson owes money to several people, and Rudbeck is unwilling to provide an advance. Unable to meet the monthly bridal payment, Bamu returns to her family, increasing the strains on their marriage. The financial squeeze drives the plot forward.

In exchange for money from Waziri, Johnson agrees to steal letters from Rudbeck's office that describe Waziri as a plotting liar. The act corrupts his loyalty and deepens the political intrigue surrounding the road project. The stakes of power and money become clear.

Rudbeck runs out of money for the 100-mile road to the North Road, and Johnson suggests siphoning funds from other government projects to finish the road. The proposal reveals the ethical compromise at the heart of colonial administration. The plan sets off a chain of consequences.

Celia Rudbeck arrives and is dismayed by the accommodations and food provided. Her reaction exposes the discomfort and disconnect between the colonial elite and their families. The visit adds domestic tension to the broader political drama.

Treasurer Tring identifies anomalies in the cash book, leading to Johnson's dismissal and the halting of work on the road. The financial scrutiny punctures the illusion of progress. The road project stalls once more.

Johnson begins working at Sargy Gollup's store with Benjamin and tries to make profitable trades. His impatience and schemes lead to Sargy punching him, signaling a rough entry into colonial commerce. The local economy becomes a testing ground for Johnson's ambitions.

Benjamin catches Johnson stealing an advance from Sargy's cash box, which he then uses to fund a party. He invites the people inside the store when it rains, despite Benjamin's objections. Sargy returns, punches him, but Rudbeck arrives to assess the situation and dismisses it as an accident, leaving Johnson further entangled in trouble.

Johnson and Bamu wander for work with their newborn son until the rainy season ends. Rudbeck then hires Johnson as a supervisor on the road project, signaling a fragile comeback and renewed proximity to power.

Productivity increases as work resumes, but funds run out again. Johnson rallies the workers with a prize of five pounds for the group that clears the most bush, and the prize is paid to the chief, reinforcing local leadership dynamics and incentive structures.

When the road finally reaches a major milestone, Johnson is caught charging a road fee. He claims it was merely borrowing, but Rudbeck confronts him and orders him to leave the project. The line between corruption and necessity becomes blurred.

Johnson, Bamu, and their son return to Zungo, where Bamu's family pressures her to return home. Johnson then asks Waziri for money, but Waziri orders his guards to cripple him. Johnson escapes through a window, only to find that his wife has already left him.

In a desperate bid for money, Johnson drinks and sneaks into Sargy Gollup's store to steal cash. Sargy catches him and fires his rifle; they fight, and Johnson kills Sargy with a pin used to hold receipts. The murder marks a point of no return for Johnson.

In jail, Waziri's former assistant pressures Johnson to give him his English shoes. After conviction, Johnson begs Rudbeck to shoot him to spare him from hanging. Rudbeck ultimately shoots him from a rifle, a decision made despite potential career repercussions.