Half of a Yellow Sun: Part 2, Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

Richard is surprised at the announcement of “police action,” but Kainene says that Nigeria wants all the oil in the Southeast. She is confident that the war will be quick, though, and that Biafra will be victorious. Richard tries to go to Nsukka to get his things, but he isn’t allowed past the blocked road. He argues with the soldier there, and Richard declares that he is a Biafran, and he calls Kainene his wife, without success. Richard finally relents and turns around.

Susan calls Richard to make sure he is safe. He is touched by her concern, but then she starts to insult Africans and Richard hangs up on her. Richard worries about Harrison, who is still in Nsukka, and about his manuscript In the Time of Roped Pots. Richard is struck by a memory of his first manuscript, The Basket of Hands, which Kainene burned under a tree.

Kainene criticizes Ojukwu and the handling of the army – soldiers have been getting free food and taxi rides while other people starve – but Richard defends Ojukwu and “the cause.” Kainene says that Madu told her that the army has no real weapons, that Ojukwu has been boasting and exaggerating about the power of Biafra with little to back it up.