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
Warui and Wambui sit together in Wambui’s hut, oddly unkempt, watching the rain pour down. They are both emotionless, together the “picture of bereaved children for whom life has suddenly lost warmth, color, and excitement.” They placidly remark that the old woman died on the day of Uhuru, though no one knows why; apparently Gitogo came to take her home after all. Mumbi arrives hoping to warm herself in their hut, but there is no fire in the hearth. They speak about Gikonyo’s arm and about how they all misunderstood Mugo. Mumbi expresses sorrow that she could not help him, could not save him from the pain she saw in his eyes. Nevertheless, they all decide, they must keep on living, for that is all that is left to do. When Mumbi asks Warui and Wambui if they have seen Mugo or General R. since the meeting, Wambui denies it. The three part ways, disillusioned. Wambui thinks to herself that she ought to clean her hut and build a fire, but she does not stir.
Warui and Wambui’s disillusionment with independence is tragic, but reflects General R. and Lt. Koina’s fears that it would not be so wonderfully different as hoped. For all the anticipation, this response to Uhuru is surprising, even in light of Mugo’s confession. Since the author writes his literature from personal experience of the Gikuyu people, the Mau Mau uprising, and independence, it seems likely that his depiction of the day of Uhuru is similarly informed by his own experiences. Like Koina fears, it’s likely that much will remain the same in Kenya. (This turns out to be unfortunately true, as the author was eventually exiled from Kenya by Jomo Kenyatta’s own government.)
Themes
