Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in A Grain of Wheat, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Colonialism
The Individual vs. the Community
Guilt and Redemption
Christianity
Gender and Power
Summary
Analysis
General R. and Lt. Koina decide to lure Karanja after Mwaura reports his strange behavior to Koina. As they are scheming, Karanja himself is obsessed with determining whether or not John Thompson is truly leaving Africa, knowing that his own position of power is entirely dependent on the whiteman. Karanja’s nerves are so frayed that he cannot focus on his work writing labels. He wanders the grounds, vainly hoping to catch sight of Thompson, “heavy with a sense of imminent betrayal.” The feeling makes him recall the day when he was forced to resign as the Chief of Thabai, shortly after the Emergency was declared over. Karanja wrongfully had a man arrested and beaten, as he often did, but now that the Party was accruing power for itself, Karanja was dragged out before the public, made to make a public apology, and released from his post with only a letter of recommendation, which is how he came to be writing book labels in Githima.
Karanja’s demotion and punishment—for actions he formerly faced no consequences for—reveals how flimsy the power he has accrued for himself truly is. Although Karanja presents the image of power and sometimes feels it himself, it is ultimately a façade. It is notable that white power, which Karanja has bound himself to, cannot exist unless supported by oppressive military might or technological force. As soon as black power and the people’s ability to unify becomes formidable, even the British colonial administration is stripped of its power to dominate and rule through fear.
Themes
As Karanja is reflecting, Mwaura approaches him conspiratorially, first carefully massaging Karanja’s ego by pointing out his close position to the white people before enticing him to attend the Uhuru celebrations with him, promising that there will be women all about. Karanja tells Mwaura he will go with him, privately hoping to see Mumbi again. Karanja spies Thompson and with a panicked voice asks if he and his wife are truly leaving. Thompson answers that they are and brushes Karanja off, humiliating him in front of Mwaura.
Karanja’s thin character is further revealed by how easily Mwaura is able to manipulate him, playing into his own conception of himself through flattery and associating him with white people. This is utterly contradicted by how little Thompson seems to care for or notice Karanja; had Karanja not finally confronted him, it seems that Thompson would not have said anything at all and simply disappeared.
Themes
