Ugwu Lawrence Enenche

{M.A, B.A (literature), PGDE, DL, DC}

Critical Analysis of the

Major Incidents in Let
Me Die Alone by John
Kolosa Kargbo
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

1) Yoko Plans Expansionist War

Yoko wants to embark on expansionist
war but some of her warlords feel
otherwise; Ndapi and Lavalie especially,
strategize on how to stop Yoko from
embarking on war. Both men review
Yoko’s greed for war which they
consider vain and provocative. Yoko
insists on embarking on the war.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

Importance of the Expansionist War

The reign of Madam Yoko is airborne now and
the desire to expand her chiefdom is her
main agenda. She probably believes that the
more territories she controls the more
economic returns for her chiefdom. She is
very interested in wealth creation.
Unfortunately, some of her warlords believe
the wars are senseless and needless. Note
that this is how dissension and disloyalty
begin.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

2) Yoko Moves Palace from Senehun to

Moyamba
Senehun Chiefdom consists of a cluster of
villages. The centre village is also called
Senehun. Gbanya Rules from Senehun and
after his death, Madam Yoko moves the
palace to Moyamba Village and rules from
there. Scores of women rejoice with her in
the palace. They all like it here in Moyamba;
the chiefdom has expanded even more.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

Importance of the Movement of Palace

from Senehun to Moyamba
Moving the palace to Moyamba is an early
sign of prosperity under the reign of Mada
Yoko. Moving the headquarters from
Senehun to Moyamba is to open up the
development space in another part of the
chiefdom. A new environment breeds new
ideas. Also, the humiliation and death of
Gbanya will not hunt him as much in
Moyamba as it will in Senehun.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

3) Jilo Loses Three Months Old Pregnancy

Jilo’s three months old pregnancy is also
wasted because of the illicit act. Yoko
assures Ndapi that she will make Lansana
pay all the damages. Yoko is visibly angry
more than ever before because a taboo has
been committed in her chiefedom. Lansana
betrayed his friendship with Ndapi. After that
miscarriage, Jilo did not get pregnant again
till the end of the play.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

Importance of Jilo’s Lose of Three Months

Old Pregnancy
Jilo’s aborted pregnancy also represents an
aborted dream for Yoko who wants to erect
structures of a new social and economic order.
Probably this is why she is visibly angry.
Interestingly, Lansana and Ndapi are friends but
Lansana betrays his friendship by sleeping with
his wife. This act of betrayal also foretells the
monumental betrayal that awaits Yoko herself
from the Governor she has given so much loyalty
and laboured for faithfully.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

4) Lamboi Takes Charge of the Chiefdom in

Yoko’s Absence.
In the palace, Yoko announces to her elders in
council that the Governor has sent for her to
crown two chiefs in Taiama Chiefdom. She
hands over the her chiefdom to Lamboi to take
charge in her absence. Lamboi is alone in the
palace and fantasizes about his quest for power,
control and dominion over his fellow men. On
his walk towards the throne and seat of
supreme power, blood has been spilled and
there is no going back for him.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

The Importance of Lamboi Taking Charge of

the Chiefdom in Yoko’s Absence.
Handing over the chiefdom to Lamboi was
Madam Yoko’s greatest mistake and flaw.
Lamboi takes effective advantage of this
opportunity to perfect his plan to turn the
people against Chief Yoko. Lamboi’s
reflection summarizes for us all his evil
deeds towards ascending the throne of the
chiefdom. He masterminds death of many
people in the play, just to ascend the throne.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

5) The Search for Jeneba’s Whereabouts

Jilo comes to the palace, wailing and
announces the disappearance of her
daughter, Jeneba. Yoko orders an immediate
search party for the missing girl to be found
at all cost. Musa goes about spreading
rumour that Yoko has used Jeneba as
sacrifice; buried her alive in a big pot to
fortify her power and acquire more power to
gain the favour of the Governor.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

The Importance of the Search for Jeneba’s

Whereabouts
Chief Yoko’s response to the news of
Jeneba’s disappearance is statemanly and
pro-active. Rumour wears a conflicting
garment of reality and the feeble-minded
admires such easily and that is the
strategic capital Lamboi and Musa are
exploiting. The rumour mill is agog now with
the news that Yoko has used Jeneba as
sacrifice to his personal idols.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

6) Governor Rowel Reduces Yoko’s

Territorial Control
The messenger of Governor brings a
message to Queen Yoko at the Poro bush. It
is the message to reduce the territorial
control of the Queen and she is upset by it
and sees it as a disgrace. On hearing this
message, she sends Lavalie to get her
Ndibala roots (herb). Yoko gives the herb to
Musu to prepare as usual into a thick
concoction for her.
 Ugwu Lawrence Enenche (M.A English literature)

The Importance of the Governor’s

Reduction of Yoko’s Territorial Control
Yoko’s political empire is about to crumble.
Reducing her territorial control by the Governor
is humiliating, disgraceful and demeaning. It is
an indirect way of dethroning Yoko from the
apogee of her reign over Senehun Chiefdom.
The Governor’s intention is very clear to her and
would not want to go through the consequent
humiliation arising from the Governor’s order.
She does not want to be humiliated like her
husband.
 About The Writer
“Mr. Ugwu Lawrence Enenche is an organized professional
lecturer/teacher with strong subject knowledge and practical
experience, providing high quality lessons delivery to students
and furthering the cause of education by implementing
successful teaching practices learned over the years of working as
a school teacher, university lecturer and facilitator with students
of different backgrounds and cultures. He is a prolific writer and
reputable researcher on African literature and folklore. A
celebrated public figure with a distinguished, inefable, modest
and pro-active personality. His poems, articles, research works,
short stories and novels have won several awards. His recent
novels are Just After Dawn, A Talking Dream, Gone With Love and
Concrete Shadows.”
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