A thesis submetted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree "Licencié en Pédagogie Appliquée, agrégé de l'Enseignement Secondaire en Anglais"

Résumé,

This work seeks to examine the question of embezzlement and extravagance in Epie's The Death Certificate. In this light, the researcher explores the cause, manifestations and consequences of embezzlement and extravagance in the novel. This work finally exposes shortcomings of embezzlement and extravagance on the society described in the novel. The study focuses on the leaders' tendency to amass wealth in order to distinguish themselves from the have-nots. Their priorities are to fill their pockets and search fo social influence. This work is based on hyppthetical premise that embezzlment and extravagance bring about negative impacts as seen in Alobwed'Epie's The Death Certificate. Written against the backgrounds of New Historicism theory, this work finally concludes that embezzlment and extravagance do not only affect ordinary people but also leaders.

Through the help of New Historicism, our study exposes the realities of many leaders in Africa today who swindle state funds and lavish in grandiose parties and other social occasions.