Previous
Uhuru
Gikuyu (or Kikuyu) is the name of Kenya’s largest ethnic group as well as the language they speak, occupying the rich agricultural highlands and hills of rural Kenya. In the early days of British settlement—preceding the story—the Gikuyu were known for their resistance, and many Gikuyu tribes maintained a practice of killing anyone who gave aid to the foreigners.
Gikuyu Quotes in A Grain of Wheat
The A Grain of Wheat quotes below are all either spoken by Gikuyu or refer to Gikuyu. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 2 Quotes
The whiteman told of another country beyond the sea where a powerful woman sat on a throne while men and women danced under the shadow of her authority and benevolence. She was ready to spread the shadow to cover the [Gikuyu]. They laughed at this eccentric man whose skin had been so scalded that the black outside had peeled off.
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
The narrator recalls the first British missionaries’ arrival, when they charm the Gikuyu with their gentle speech and humility, but offer an omen of the colonialism that will follow. The Gikuyu, however, do not take this warning seriously. The British initially penetrate Kenya with their missionaries, who are unarmed and seem peaceable enough. As a calculated tactic, this demonstrates England’s use of Christianity and proselytism as a means of invasion, in addition to whatever moralizing effects they may believe it possesses. Christianity is thus weaponized—rather than being offered to Kenya out of goodwill or love, the missionaries’ Gospel is utilized Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perfer
They looked beyond the laughing face of the whiteman and suddenly saw a long line of other red strangers who carried not the Bible, but the sword. […] The iron snake […] was quickly wriggling towards Nairobi for a thorough exploitation of the hinterland.
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Shortly after the missionaries arrive, British soldiers and engineers appear to conquer and build, which they initiate with the construction of their railroad. In this introduction of the train, the novel’s most significant symbol, the language used to describe the train reveals one of the primary differences between the two cultures. While to the British, the train is a machine which they can use to move soldiers, weapons, and goods across Kenya very quickly—thus aiding their colonial efforts—the Gikuyu tribesmen first understand it not as a technological marvel, but a literal monster invading their land. This not only demonstrates the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessita
Chapter 4 Quotes
At Githima, people believed that a complaint from [Karanja] was enough to make a man lose his job. Karanja knew their fears. Often when men came into his office, he would suddenly cast them a cold eye, drop hints, or simply growl at them; in this way, he increased their fears and insecurity. But he also feared the men and alternated this fierce prose with servile friendliness.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
During Karanja’s introduction into the story, he is working for the white administrator, John Thompson, running errands and writing labels on books in the library. Aside from the British characters, who are thinly portrayed, Karanja is the only character in the novel given no redeeming qualities. He is selfish, greedy, and desires power and control for himself. Even as a child, he is too lazy to support and care for his single mother. In the thematic tension between the individual and the community, Karanja epitomizes one’s devotion to their individual self at the expense of their community. By working for Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et.
Chapter 6 Quotes
“Many of us talked like that because we wanted to deceive ourselves. It lessens your shame. We talked of loyalty to the Movement and the love of our country. You know a time came when I did not care about Uhuru for the country anymore. I just wanted to come home.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Gikonyo recalls a meeting in which, while many survivors of the detention camps make impassioned speeches about their patriotism and loyalty to their homeland, Mugo stands and says that he did not care about any of that, he only wanted to survive. Many feel that Mugo tells the truth on behalf of everyone. Although the fight for Kenya’s independence undergirds the story and forms its setting, and although much is spoken of oppressed peoples’ heroism in struggle, the author makes a point of emphasizing human weakness in his characters, creating a dynamic—to the point of being underwhelming—depiction of those who Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. M
Chapter 7 Quotes
“I would hate to see a train run over my mother or father, or brothers. Oh, what would I do?” [Mumbi] quickly exclaimed.
“Women are cowards.” Karanja said half in joke.
“Would you like a train to run over you?” Mumbi retorted angrily. Karanja felt the anger and did not answer.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
When they are young, Kihika is discussing the need for great sacrifice in the fight for freedom, which he envisions as throwing oneself in front of the train. This passage exemplifies the train’s symbolism of British progress and technology, as well as foreshadowing both Kihika’s death and Karanja’s betrayal of his people. The symbolic meaning of throwing oneself before the train is apt on several levels. On the one hand, it demonstrates the conflict between the machine of British colonialism, which appears cold, unfeeling, and technologically advanced, and the Gikuyu people, who are community-minded and connected with the land. The Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferend
Though Njeri was a short girl, her slim figure made her appear tall. But there was something tough about that slimness. She despised women’s weaknesses, like tears, and whenever fights occurred at Kinenie [forest], she always fought, even with men. A cat, men called her, because few could impose their physical will on her.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
After Kihika leaves for the Githima forest and his lover Wambuku is left heartbroken, Njeri is disgusted by Wambuku’s cowardice and resolves that she will join Kihika in the forest and fight at his side. Though her presence in the story is brief, Njeri exemplifies the strength of Gikuyu women to act, fight, and die as well as any men. Aside from perhaps Kihika, Njeri is the most powerful and courageous character in the story, demonstrating a firm resolve and assertive stance towards fighting for freedom and justice and pursuing Kihika, whom she loves. Her courage creates a marked contrast Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut ali
Chapter 13 Quotes
[Wambui] believed in the power of women to influence events, especially where men had failed to act, or seemed indecisive […] Let therefore such men, she jeered, come forward, wear the women’s skirts and aprons and give up their trousers to the women.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
After the men of the village are unable to convince Mugo to lead, Wambui decides that the women will make their own attempt, reflecting on the times throughout the Movement when women had made up for the shortcomings of the men. Wambui’s belief in women’s power to act and create change, as well as her recollection of times in her life when this had been evident, serves as the novel’s thesis around gender and power, encapsulating all the moments when the male characters prove themselves as pointedly weak and indecisive and the female characters carry the day. It is worth Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas
Chapter 14 Quotes
Koina talked of seeing the ghosts of the colonial past still haunting Independent Kenya. And it was true that those now marching in the streets of Nairobi were not the soldiers of the Kenya Land and Freedom Army but of the King’s African Rifles, the very colonial forces who had been doing on the battlefield what Jackson was doing in churches.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
On the day of independence, during the long awaited ceremony, General R. reflects that the day is bittersweet, and that some wonder if anything will truly be different in a free Kenya. Despite the long anticipation of independence, the novel expresses reservations about its achievement, questioning whether or not Kenya will be able to make its own future or if it will lean on the trappings and authority structures of the past. As with the subjects of Christianity and colonialism, even Kenyan independence is observed and reflected on from various angles, creating a multi-faceted depiction of freedom and painting a Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nes
Get the entire A Grain of Wheat LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
Gikuyu Term Timeline in A Grain of Wheat
The timeline below shows where the term Gikuyu appears in A Grain of Wheat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
...sea who will soon stretch “the shadow of her authority and benevolence” over Kenya. The Gikuyu laugh at the missionaries, though the concept of women ruling resonates with them, since they...
(full context)
Chapter 7
...Karanja, and Kihika were young men: Thabai is proud of its Rung’ei marketplace, swarming with Gikuyu women selling goods, Indian traders from Nairobi, and young people from all over meeting on...
(full context)
Rev. Jackson is Mbugua’s friend, a Gikuyu Christian preacher who likes to visit people in their homes and offer wisdom from the...
(full context)
...but as the train whistles and pulls away, it is replaced with another vision of Gikuyu people running in fear of the train and the whole region being brought to silence...
(full context)
Chapter 13
...who names the Freedom Fighters the Mau Mau and begins hunting them relentlessly. To the Gikuyu, he becomes a nightmare, seemingly everywhere and nowhere at once, always hunting, always stalking. In...
(full context)
Chapter 14
A representative of the Party stands in Gikonyo’s absence and a preacher from the Kikuyu (Gikuyu) Greek Orthodox Church leads the congregation in prayer to open the ceremony, commemorating the blood...
(full context)
