Karakteranalyse af Rufus i Helon Habilas 'Oil on Water'

Analytical essay of Oil on WaterWhen a man has to fight to bring food on the table, while living in an area filled with what is supposed to be black gold, there is something wrong. In the Niger Delta where the story: “Oil on Water” (2010) by Helon Habila takes place there is a serious problem regarding oil pollution. It is caused by dissatisfied natives destroying oil pipes because they are getting nothing out of the oil industry that is destroying their home. Rufus a young journalist, who has been trying to find the kidnapped Ms. Floode in the Niger Delta, visits Mr. Floode where he is offered an opportunity that leads him to moral discussions with himself.Rufus seems like a genuine and moral person who thinks of other before thinking of himself: “I needed it to pay Boma’s rent, and my own rent, for that matter…” which is why he does a lot of contemplating in situations regarding money, where others from his area might not even think twice. It seems like Rufus dislikes Mr. Floode: “Besides, I did not really think much of Mr. Floode. If he really cared for his wife, shouldn’t he be out there in the jungle with Zaq, instead of here, drinking cocktails, watching TV, sleeping with the maid […]” That might be because of the things he is responsible for in the country, and as written in the text how Mr. Floode sits cowardly in his secure house. Rufus is a round character the extract shows both good and bad aspects of Rufus´s conscience. Rufus seems brave, he went to Irikefe, and as a reader you get the impression that Irikefe is a dangerous place: “I thought of the dead bodies covered by bamboo leaves, and I knew anything could happen to me on such a trip. I had been lucky once: I had gone and returned safely, I had published my story, I had been praised by my editor and the Chairman, why push my luck?” He also argues against Mr. Floode without fear of the consequences. The extract does not tell us if he goes back to Irikefe, but judging by Rufus character and moral standing, it points towards him going back.The title of the novel: “Oil on Water” might refer to the many rives and large quantities of water in the Niger Delta combined with the oil spills. Water is denser than oil, so when oil spills into water it lays on top of the water and will often create beautiful vivid colours, despite being deadly to most life forms. This might be playing with the idea that oil is beneficial to those who can make money of it, and hurtful to those who suffer from oil producing conditions without gaining anything from it.Rufus and Mr. Floode are very different, they see the situation in the Niger Delta quite differently. Rufus knows that Mr. Floode is much wealthier and more powerful than him: “I was not used to talking to people like him, and I was nervous.” To begin with Mr. Floode has the power, and they both know it. It is a privilege for Rufus to be able to talk to Mr. Floode: “I would be the first reporter he had agreed to speak to - I was aware how important this moment was, even though I was here by default.” Rufus and Zaq had failed at finding Ms. Floode, which means Rufus was visiting Mr. Floode by default but nonetheless he was visiting him. Mr. Floode brings up the vandalization of pipes; “-Our pipelines are vandalized daily, losing us millions… and millions for the country as well. The people don’t understand what they do to themselves.” Mr. Floode is playing a victim here, this clearly infuriates Rufus. Rufus explains everything to Mr. Floode, the suffering and the feeling of despair that these natives feel. Mr. Floode must admit defeat, and thus losing any chance of the moral high ground that Rufus inhabits. Rufus is well aware of what tragedies the oil industry in the Niger Delta has caused the natives. In the end of the extract all the power shifts to Rufus, because wealth and power no longer plays a role, not in the jungle. If Mr. Floode wants to see his see his wife again he has to trust Rufus: “I have to trust you. You are my only hope, you and Zaq. My wife’s life is in your hands.” He gives Rufus some money, and what happens next is solely up to Rufus.The dissatisfied native militants have succeeded in scaring the oil companies. The otherwise powerful chemical engineer James Floode is left with no power, he has been schooled by Rufus about the negative effect that the foreign oil companies have on the Niger Delta. If one takes advantage of natives home, do not expect hugs and kisses.