Ngugi's use of national and personal history in " A Grain of Wheat '

Name -  Krutikaba Zala

Paper no. 14 - The African Literature

Semester - 4

Topic - Ngugi's use of national and personal history in  " A Grain of Wheat "

Roll no. 15

Enrollment no. PG13101037

Submitted to - Department of English

                             

                             M. K. Bhavnagar University 

Introduction :

     Ngugi Wa Thiongo is a Kenyan writer. He is formally working in English and now working in Gikuyu. He wrote many plays, novels , short-stories and also essays. He also focuses on ranging from literary and social criticism to children's literature. Ngugi was born in Kamiriithu and baptized James Ngugi. His family was caught up in the Mau Mau war. In his education Ngugi received a B.A. in English from Makerere University college in Kampala , Uganda in 1963. He wrote his one of the famous play named " The Black Hermit " during his education. 

His novel " A Grain Of Wheat "marked his embrace of Fanonist Marxism. After that he was not reinstated to his job as professor but his family was harassed and they were forced to live in exile.

 

A Grain of Wheat is a story about Kenya's struggle for independence during 1952 - 59. This historical novel focusing on the character quite Mugo , whose life is ruled by a dark secret. The story of the novel is covered by Mugo's home village and about it's preparations for Kenya's independence day celebration , Uhuru day.

In that novel there are main six characters : Mugo , Gikonyo , Mumbi . Karanja , Kihika , John Thompson


Ngugi's use of national and Personal history in novel " A Grain of Wheat " :-

Here, this novel is connected with political life of Kenya and also with personal life of Ngugi. This novel shows different parts of colonialism and there are many changes during these time in his life. Ngugi is regarded as one of the most significant writers of East Africa. As per his biographical information , Ngugi is the fifth child of the third of Thiongo's four wives. Once while at Alliance he participated in a debate in which he described that western educations were harmful to African students. After that the headmaster subsequently counseled Ngugi against becoming a political agitator.Ngugi also added idea of Karl Marx in many novels. In that matter of writing he has shown the ideas of against Christianity , colonialism and also many non- African matters held in Kenya.

Another matter of Ngugi's name - James Ngugi is rejected by him after the publication of the novel " A Grain of Wheat ". And he also translated his play into Gikuyu - Kenyan language. A grain of wheat is related with Mau Mau movement and also Marxism.


Mau Mau Uprising :

 Mau Mau Uprising, also known as the Mau Mau Revolt, Mau Mau Rebellion oralso called Kenya Emergency, was a military conflict that took place in Kenya between 1952 and 1960. It involved Kikuyu-dominated groups  called Mau Mau by British Army, the local Kenya Regiment mostly consisting of the British, auxiliaries and anti-Mau Mau Kikuyu. The capture of rebel leader Dedan Kimathi on 21 October 1956 signalled the ultimate defeat of Mau Mau, and essentially ended the British military campaign.

Let the foreigner go back abroad ,

Let the African regain independence.

The Mau Mau command and guards like - " the running dogs of British Imperialism ".


Marxism :- 

It is very famous method of society. it focuses on class system and relations of them with society. It also finds problems, conflicts of society. In this novel a matter of Marxism took place by Ngugi in his personal life. He gives this idea related event of Mau Mau Uprising and different issue of Kenya. we can see it in the example of his name james ngugi. He ever became a victim of Marxism.

Conclusion :-

Here Ngugi's character is very strong and hopeful shown in different ways. Different critics have many critical notes that Ngugias an very important voice in African literature. He has been called the voice for Kenya and his people who really need freedom. His fiction has been noted for its overtly political agenda , gives literary strength and voice to poor of Kenya and against power of British world. 


Thank you..