Kori Character Analysis in Weep Not, Child

Njoroge’s older half-brother, and one of Njeri’s sons. Kori is a gifted storyteller who often brings news home from Nairobi, where he becomes increasingly involved in political resistance. Indeed, it is Kori who often tells tales of Jomo Kenyatta—stories that rouse Njoroge and his family members. Kori eventually joins the Mau Mau, along with Boro. Because of this, Jacobo decides to detain him by capturing him when he accidentally breaks curfew with Njeri one night. And although the government quickly releases Njeri after Ngotho’s family pays the necessary fines, they keep Kori in prison, and Njoroge fears at the end of the novel that he be killed in detention.

Kori Quotes in Weep Not, Child

The Weep Not, Child quotes below are all either spoken by Kori or refer to Kori. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Was he a man any longer, he who had watched his wife and son taken away because of breaking the curfew without a word of protest? Was this cowardice? It was cowardice, cowardice of the worst sort. He stood up and rushed to the door like a madman. It was too late. He came back to his seat, a defeated man, a man who cursed himself for being a man with a lost manhood. He now knew that even that waiting had been a form of cowardice, putting off of action.

Related Characters: Kori, Njeri, Ngotho

Page Number and Citation: 89

Explanation and Analysis:

This passage appears after Njeri and Kori are arrested by white police officers for breaking curfew. The only reason this happens is because Jacobo has decided that he wants to capture Kori and Boro, who he suspects are involved with the Mau Mau. When Kori and Njeri are arrested, Ngotho sits in his hut and listens to the entire exchange, unable to move even to fight for his family members. As such, he wonders if he is “a man any longer,” a question that once again emphasizes his insecurities regarding his ability to protect his family. “Was this cowardice?” he 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 volup

Kori Character Timeline in Weep Not, Child

The timeline below shows where the character Kori appears in Weep Not, Child. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...with his family to listen to stories. Included in this group are his older brothers, Kori and Boro. “Boro, who had been to the war, did not know many tribal stories,”... (full context)

On this particular night, many family members are present. “Boro, Kori, and Kamau were all sons of Njeri, Ngotho’s eldest wife,” Ngũgĩ writes. “Njoroge’s only true... (full context)

...spent his time working for Mr. Howlands, “waiting for the prophecy to be fulfilled.” When Kori asks if he thinks this will ever actually happen, though, Ngotho says he doesn’t know.... (full context)

Boro and Kori leave home to live in Nairobi. After their departure, Kamau and Njoroge contemplate what it... (full context)

When Kori and Boro visit home, they bring friends from Nairobi—friends who are politically active and passionate... (full context)

...raise, and so he gives his brother his extra earnings. In conjunction with money that Kori lends him, Njoroge is able to return to school. (full context)

Pride and Honor vs. Guilt and Shame Theme Icon

...as he greets his brother. “I don’t know,” Boro answers, referring to the fact that Kori has been captured by white settlers. Apparently, Boro was also captured but managed to escape.... (full context)

...happened to her sons, Njeri says, “Why do they oppress the black people?” In response, Kori says that the white settlers want to “oppress people” before Jomo’s trial, since “they know... (full context)

That night, news reaches Njoroge’s village that Jomo has lost his trial. Kori explains that the entire hearing was rigged, and Ngotho becomes afraid of the fact that... (full context)

...Boro—“are bringing trouble in the village.” As such, he suggests that they arrest Boro and Kori because this would make it easier to “keep an eye on” Ngotho, who Jacobo upholds... (full context)

Late that night, Ngotho sits in Nyokabi’s hut. Eventually, Kori and Njeri retire to Njeri’s hut, and as they do so, police officers tell them... (full context)

...breaking curfew isn’t a serious infraction, Njeri is released after her family pays a fine. Kori, however, is not. Instead, he’s sent to a detention camp “without trial.” Despite this outcome,... (full context)

After Kori is arrested, things only get worse. “No one could tell when he might be arrested... (full context)

Kori Character Analysis

Kori Quotes in Weep Not, Child

Chapter 10 Quotes

Kori Character Timeline in Weep Not, Child