International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

Abstract

A Grain of Wheat is a conventional account of Kenya's struggle for sovereignty seen through the character sketches of people in Thabai, a small Kikuyuni village. It is sated with political, religious and social observations along with crystallization of mid twentieth century history. The novel entwines numerous narratives together during the state of emergency in Kenya through a series of flashbacks in the lives and experiences of main characters, focusing on quiet Mugo (the village's chosen hero and a man haunted by a terrible secret), Mumbi, Kihika, Karanja and Thompson. The plot revolves around Mugo's village's preparations for Kenya's Independence Day celebration - Uhuru day. The novel weaves stories within stories, the narrative interwoven with allusions to real life leaders of the nationalist struggle like Jomo Kenyatta and others. As events unfold, compromises are forced, friendships are betrayed and lovers are tested.

A Grain of Wheat is a conventional account of Kenya's struggle for sovereignty seen through the character sketches of people in Thabai, a small Kikuyuni village. It is sated with political, religious and social observations along with crystallization of mid twentieth century history. The novel entwines numerous narratives together during the state of emergency in Kenya through a series of flashbacks in the lives and experiences of main characters, focusing on quiet Mugo (the village's chosen hero and a man haunted by a terrible secret), Mumbi, Kihika, Karanja and Thompson. The plot revolves around Mugo's village's preparations for Kenya's Independence Day celebration - Uhuru day. The novel weaves stories within stories, the narrative interwoven with allusions to real life leaders of the nationalist struggle like Jomo Kenyatta and others. As events unfold, compromises are forced, friendships are betrayed and lovers are tested.

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Abstract

Petals of Blood offers a painful condemnation of Kenyan ruling elites who exploit the country's workers and peasants, and also offers vigorous and unrelenting criticism of neocolonialist institutions, such as Christianity, politicians, schools, businesses, banks, landlords, highways, industries and private firms. Being a political novel, it satirizes the terrible face of neocolonial elite. Ngugi unfolds a human landscape that is both beautiful as well as terrifying, as tribal and village life are manipulated in the name of progress by the cynical bureaucrats who came to power as heroes of liberation. The novel also demonstrates the importance of collective action to empower ordinary masses to resist oppression, like Illmorog's delegation to Nairobi, strikes at Theng'eta Brewing Company and student struggles at the Elite Siriana School. Undoubtedly Petals of Blood is an important contribution to the world literature, the admirers of the work perceive it as an ambitious canvas that presents with artistic integrity Ngugi's stance of social and political philosophy, and finds it to be a realistic portrayal of the postcolonial experience in Kenya.

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Anthills of the Savannah delineates the problems inflicting newly independent African states. The prevailing theme and the major problem in this novel is the corrupt dictatorial set up of Kangan. The theme in the work is 'overcoming the history of suffering' through the inculcation of a strong sense of community among the people. The people want change and peace, but they are unsure how to attain a suitable system of government. Thus, the first step towards national salvation is to throw out the colonizers. Being a witness to the failure of social justice and democracy to take ischolar_main in postcolonial Nigeria, Achebe dramatizes the impasse in Anthills of the Savannah. The two major characters alongwith their girlfriends were obviously chosen by the writer to reflect his own frustrations with Nigeria and mixed feelings about Africa's tomorrow.  

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