Fathers of Nations Essay: Alienation is not only painful but also stigmatizing

Alienation is not only painful but also stigmatizing.

"Alienation is not only painful but also stigmatizing." With close reference to Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write an essay to show the truth of this statement. (20 marks)

In Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, various characters go through experiences that show how being excluded or isolated causes deep emotional pain and leaves lasting effects on their lives. 

One strong example is Professor Kimani. He suffers greatly after being alienated by his wife, Asiya, who marries Newborn Walomu. This betrayal causes him emotional pain and public shame. On top of this, he is imprisoned for six months for allegedly assaulting Walomu, a member of Parliament. The combination of personal and social alienation leads him to give up teaching and join the Path Alpha mission, showing how painful and life-changing alienation can be.

Professor Kimani also feels alienated in his professional life. As a scholar, he and other academicians are economically and socially marginalized compared to politicians especially the members of Parliament . While scholars earn little and are heavily taxed, MPs enjoy large untaxed allowances. This unfairness causes many scholars to feel rejected and discouraged, forcing some to quit teaching or seek other paths like Kimani does.

Citizens in Gambia where the summit is being held also suffer from government alienation. When presidents visit, local people face transport problems due to roadblocks and are harassed by guards who ask for bribes. Their roadside businesses and slums are destroyed by bulldozers to ‘clean up’ the city, leaving them homeless and jobless. Even water is redirected for the leaders, causing shortages. This mistreatment deeply hurts the people and makes them feel neglected by their own government.

Comrade Melusi and the Ndebele community also face painful alienation. Though Melusi fought for the country’s freedom and held a cabinet post, he is fired simply for being Ndebele. This ethnic discrimination causes anger and bitterness, leading to an armed insurgency. The pain of being excluded from national leadership affects both Melusi and his people deeply.

Pastor Chiamaka experiences political and regional alienation. He openly criticizes the president for ignoring riots in certain parts of the country. His outspokenness lands him in jail for two weeks. This imprisonment only adds to his pain and sense of being unjustly treated by the government.

Seif Tahir is another example. After losing his eye in the hands of Rahma Mahmoud, he feels isolated and ashamed of his appearance. He withdraws from others and begins to hate America, blaming its influence for what happens to him. His self-loathing and emotional suffering show the deep psychological wounds that alienation can cause.

Lastly, Pamela’s father is alienated by the death of his wife and the marriage of his daughter. This loneliness pushes him to seek comfort elsewhere. He is found chatting with a young woman and showing off his blood-pressure monitor, a sad attempt to ease his isolation.

In conclusion, Fathers of Nations clearly shows that alienation causes psychological pain and stigma. Characters like Kimani, Melusi, Chiamaka, and Tahir go through great emotional suffering because they are excluded, rejected, or ignored. Their stories prove that alienation is both painful and deeply damaging.