A Grain of Wheat

M.A.

1. A Grain of Wheat Paper:- Afric an Literature Preped By:-Kailas& Mittalba

2. About Ngugi Wa Thiong’o Ngugi Wa Thiong’o is an award- winning, novelist, playwright, and essayist from Kenya. He was translated in to more than thirty languages. He is distinguished professor of English at the university of California. He lives in Irvine, California.

3. His Awards… He was awarded likely candidate for the “Nobel Prize” in Literature. ‘Lotus Prize’ for Literature(1973) ‘Man Booker International Prize’(2009) ‘National Book Critics Circle Award’(2012)

4. Major Works Devil on the Cross. In the House of the Interpreter. The river Between. A Grain of Wheat. Weep Not, Child. Dreams in a time of war. Wizard of the Craw. Petals of Blood.

5. Devil on the Cross Nagugi wa Thiongo’s fame, “Devil on the Cross” is a powerful fictional critique of capitalism. It tells the tragic story of Wariinga . A young woman moves from a rural Kenyan town to the capital Nairobi. Only to be exploited by her boss and later by a corrupt businessman. As she struggle to survive. “Devil on the cross” has a profound influence on Africa and on post colonial African literature.

6. (2) In the House of the Interpreter…….. Thiongo was a student at a prestigious, British- run boarding school near Nairobi. When the tumultuous Mau Mau uprising for independence and Kenya sovereignty gripped his country. While he enjoyed scouting trips and Chess tournament. His brother was insurgency, captured by the British and taken to a concentration camp. But he could not escape history, than himself jailed, after a run in with the force of colonialism.

7. (3) A Grain of Wheat…… About Novel……… “A Grain of Wheat” was published in 1967. The event of the novel take place in the days of 1963 before and on the day of Uhuru . Kenya’s Liberation from British colonial rule. Set in the wake of Mau Mau Rebellion and on the cusp of Kenya’s independence from Britain. “A Grain of Wheat” follows a group of villagers whose lives have been transformed by the 1952- 1960 emergency. Mugo was hero, and chosen by villager. The novel also features Flashbacks of the past.

8. Character…..

9. Summary……… Mugo , an introverted villager of Thabai . The Village thinks him a hero for his stoicism and courage. He was in detention during Kenya’s State of Emergency. But he labors under a secret. He betrayed their beloved Mau Mau fighter Kihika . He is restless and can achieve no peace in the village. Kihika had joined the Mau Mau as a young Man.

10. District officer named Robson. Mugo betrayed him in secret. Those planning Uhuru want to honor him. Mugo had betrayed Kihika because he was unsettled by the young man’s zeal. Most people, including General R. and Koina , two Mau Mau Soldiers. Karanja was the one who betrayed Kihika . They plan on executing him at Uhuru . Gikonyo was a well- respected businessman and formar carpenter. His wife was beautiful and with love.

11. Mumbi was sister of Kihika . He had her love even though many, including Karanja , a friend of Kihika . Mumbi had borne a child by Karanja while he was gone those years. Karanja was works at Githima . Roger Thompson was stationed there with his wife Margery. Karanja did not join the freedom movement . Mumbi confides in him the story of how sad . She and Gikonyo fell in love , and how sad she was when he was away in camp. Uhuru arrives, the day first rainy and then sunny. People are a joyful and all of them want to see Mugo .

12. General R. gives a speech instead of Mugo . Later, General R. and Koina come to arrest him and tell him. He will have a private trial. Karanja heads back to Gthima , heis unhappy. Gikonyo wakes in the hospital and finds himself ready to make amends with Mumbi . He is happy , and plans to carve a stool featuring an image of a pregnant Mumbi .

13. ‘A Grain of Wheat’ Themes…. Individuals and the community. Betrayed, Guilt and Redemption. Forgiveness. Power of Nature. Violence. Silence and Confessin .

14. ‘A Grain of Wheat’ Symbol Christ Rain ( Motif) Karanja’s Hood Grain of Wheat

15. Resource……….. Works Cited Jimmy Wales, L. S. (2001, January 15). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Grain_of_Wheat   <https://www.gradesaver.com/a-grain-of-wheat>.