Moral Idealism and Social Reality: a Textual Analysis of Festus Iyayi’s <i>The Contract</i>

Abstract

Physical decay and rot symbolize corruption and general decadence in any society. Those vested with authority and powers to oversee the affairs of the society are rather the agents of this decay. Everybody, especially the common masses, is affected negatively. One man, Ogie Obala, returns from abroad and tries to uphold moral values and even inculcate these values in others. Can he succeed? Did he succeed? This paper demonstrates the struggle between moral idealism and social reality in Festus Iyayi‟s The Contract.Keywords: Moral, Idealism, Social Reality