Little Rot

What significance do sight and seeing have in the novel? Why is it important to not look away from the ugly parts of humanity? How does the novel use metaphors of seeing and not seeing, exposure and hiddenness, to convey its themes?

Does Little Rot have a single protagonist, or do multiple characters share this role? Does anyone succeed in escaping the corruption that surrounds them in New Lagos?

Throughout the novel, characters are always listening to music, and Akwaeke Emezi references a number of Nigerian musicians. What role does music play in the story and structure of the novel?

Chose another of Emezi’s novels and compare it to Little Rot. What are some thematic parallels? What are some differences?

At one point, Kalu calls his refusal to marry Aima his “small rebellion” (43). Why does their relationship fall apart, and what is he rebelling against?

Compare the relationship between Aima and Ijendu to the relationship between Kalu and Ahmed. How are they similar or different?

What role do setting and place play in Little Rot? What is the effect of setting the novel in a fictional Nigerian city rather than a real one?

How do privilege and social class play into Little Rot? How do class disparities affect the characters’ interpersonal relationships?