This juxtaposition is meant to parallel the juxtaposition of memory versus reality. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that Obi still seems optimistic at this point, and it is we that feed strongly on this juxtaposition in the form of foreshadowing.
There is other foreshadowing in this chapter such as that of the relationship between Clara and Obi. It is apparent that they are different and although it will also become apparent that they do have love for each other, this beginning quarrel is a sign of problems to come, problems that will unfold as the novel unfolds. The argument, to put it in simplistic metaphoric terms, revolves around the fact that Clara likes the movies and Obi likes T.S. Eliot. Interestingly enough, both of these "likes" are "Western," obviously a result of colonialism. We later finds out that Clara also has one great thing in common with Obi that she too studied abroad in England. She studied nursing.
The final piece of foreshadowing that exists in this chapter is that the discussion that Obi and Christopher has is about bribery in the civil service. This is a subject that will persist throughout the novel until Obi's arrest and trial. Here, however, Obi is at the beginning of his journey toward change, and he is still idealistic, finding the corruption in the higher echelons of service disgusting. Another important piece of information that the reader should grasp about this chapter is the social status of Christopher, Clara, and Obi. It is apparent that they are of a high class because of their European education and posts. They, like the Europeans in Africa, also have servants and stewards. This is, of course, ironic because it is in fact their country after all. The fact that they are prosperous because they have the posts that the outsider has had for years is another paradox of colonialism. Times, however, are changing as is evidenced by the following comment: "The second generation of educated Nigerians had gone back to eating pounded yams or garri with their fingers for the good reason that it tasted better that way.
