Ngugi’s novel follows four main characters who tell us about their experiences days before the Mau Mau rebellion against the British colonial rule. The dominant theme which I believe that Ngugi is trying to convey is that of betrayal. Which is depicted mainly through four main characters: Mugo, Gikonyo and his spouse; Mumbi, and Karanja.
Ngugi forces us to think about Mugo: his betrayal of his friend Kihika, the leader of the rebellion. He forces us to find reasons as to why he actually betrayed him, partly because of his jealousy or because he believed that the conflicts cause during the Movement would cause to relive the inhumanity of his youth. Kihika was raised surrounded by friends, family and other friendly faces. Whereas Mugo was an orphan raised by his vile, alcoholic aunt, Watiherero. As he grows older he is …show more content…
The reflection revived his old hatred for Kihika now so strong it choked him. Kihika who had a mother and a father, and a brother, and a sister, could play with death. he had people who would mourn his end, who would name their children after him, so that Kihika’s name would never die from men’s lips. Kihika had everything: Mugo had nothing.”pg 195
Mugo’s betrayal is partially redeemed by his suffering in various detention camps and his courage whilst saving Wambuku, Kihikas spouse, from the beating in the trench. I believe however that Mugo is redeemed by his unbearable guilt and his eventual confession resulting in his hanging.
Ngugi shows us that no matter the situation now, whatever happened in the past will affect us in the present. This can be seen in context with colonialism as Africa is still trying to recover from European exploitation.
Ngugi uses the relationship between Gikonyo and Mumbi’s to further express the theme of betrayal. Both Gikonyo and Mumbi felt guilty for breaking their respective oaths : his loyalty to the Mau Mau rebellion and her marital
Ngugi forces us to think about Mugo: his betrayal of his friend Kihika, the leader of the rebellion. He forces us to find reasons as to why he actually betrayed him, partly because of his jealousy or because he believed that the conflicts cause during the Movement would cause to relive the inhumanity of his youth. Kihika was raised surrounded by friends, family and other friendly faces. Whereas Mugo was an orphan raised by his vile, alcoholic aunt, Watiherero. As he grows older he is …show more content…
The reflection revived his old hatred for Kihika now so strong it choked him. Kihika who had a mother and a father, and a brother, and a sister, could play with death. he had people who would mourn his end, who would name their children after him, so that Kihika’s name would never die from men’s lips. Kihika had everything: Mugo had nothing.”pg 195
Mugo’s betrayal is partially redeemed by his suffering in various detention camps and his courage whilst saving Wambuku, Kihikas spouse, from the beating in the trench. I believe however that Mugo is redeemed by his unbearable guilt and his eventual confession resulting in his hanging.
Ngugi shows us that no matter the situation now, whatever happened in the past will affect us in the present. This can be seen in context with colonialism as Africa is still trying to recover from European exploitation.
Ngugi uses the relationship between Gikonyo and Mumbi’s to further express the theme of betrayal. Both Gikonyo and Mumbi felt guilty for breaking their respective oaths : his loyalty to the Mau Mau rebellion and her marital