Chapters 11-14 Analysis

Chapter 11 Study Notes

Day 3: Tuesday Evening, 10 December 1963

1. What Happens and Who is Involved?

• The Thompsons attend their farewell party. Many British settlers worry that after Independence, the Russians and Chinese will take control of Kenya. The Thompsons are not the only ones planning to leave.
• Dr Lynd reminds John Thompson about her dog's death and claims to have recently seen the person who killed it. She is frightened but still refuses to leave Kenya and her property.
• The Thompsons are unhappy and struggle to communicate with each other during the party.
• John Thompson accidentally drops a glass, which shatters on the floor.
• On the way home, Thompson remarks: "We are not yet beaten… Africa cannot, cannot do without Europe." Despite this statement, he is still planning to leave Kenya.
• With the Thompsons leaving, the British settlers suddenly speak fondly of them, even though many had previously disliked Margery.
• The tone of this scene is sarcastic, as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o highlights the insincerity and hypocrisy of the British settlers.

---

2. Symbols

The Broken Glass

• The broken glass symbolises Kenya, which has been broken by British rule.
• The Kenyan waiter swiftly sweeps up the broken glass, suggesting that Kenyans will have to clean up the damage left behind by British colonialism.
• The glass also represents Thompson's shattered dreams. His vision of a lasting British Empire has been destroyed. As Kenya gains independence, the empire is also breaking into pieces, much like the glass.

---

Key Vocabulary

• Sarcasm: An ironic expression or tone used to mock or make fun of someone.

---

Chapter 12 Study Notes

Day 3: Tuesday Evening, 10 December 1963

1. What Happens and Who is Involved?

• Gikonyo arrives home in a bad mood. He argues with Mumbi, pushes her child away, and hits her.
• Wangari, Gikonyo's mother, is upset with his behaviour, and he leaves the house.
• Gikonyo visits Warui to inform him that Mugo will not lead the speeches at the Independence Day celebrations. They decide to visit Mugo together.
• Mugo is haunted by disturbing memories and refuses to speak at the celebrations. Gikonyo and Warui assume he is being humble and try to convince him to reconsider.
• Warui spreads the news of Mugo's refusal, and the village believes that his humility proves his greatness. He becomes a legendary hero in their eyes.
• Gikonyo is frustrated with Mugo, Warui, and the MP. When he returns home, his mother informs him that Mumbi has left and gone to her parents.

Flashbacks

• Gikonyo's Disappointment: He visited the farm he wanted to buy and discovered that the old owner, Burton, had left Kenya and the new owner was now their MP.
• Mugo's Fear: He recalls being terrified of a horse as a child, a fear he felt again when confronted by Mumbi and General R.
• Mugo's Memories of Torture: He remembers working in the trenches where a woman was being whipped by a home guard. He tried to stop it but was also whipped and later arrested.
• Gitogo's Death: Warui tells Mugo that the mother of Gitogo (who died in the struggle) had visited him, further deepening Mugo's guilt.

---

2. Themes

Heroism

• Irony of Perceived Heroism: When Mugo refuses to speak at the celebrations, saying, "I cannot, I cannot face so many eyes", the villagers mistake this for humility, reinforcing their belief that he is a hero.

Lack of Communication

• Marriage Conflict: Gikonyo and Mumbi's relationship continues to deteriorate due to unresolved issues. Mumbi's departure highlights the breakdown of their marriage.

Guilt, Suffering, and Sacrifice

• Mugo's Haunted Past: His memories of fear and suffering overwhelm him.
• Moral Conflict: He recalls trying to save the woman in the trench, yet being unable to stop her suffering.
• Overwhelming Guilt: When Warui tells him about Gitogo's mother, Mugo is overcome with remorse, feeling that his betrayal of Kihika worsened the suffering of his people. In his distress, he imagines "thick blood dripping from the mud walls of his hut".

---

Chapter 13 Study Notes

Day 3: Tuesday Evening, 10 December 1963

1. What Happens and Who is Involved?

• Gikonyo arrives home in a bad mood. He argues with Mumbi, pushes her child away, and hits her.
• Wangari, Gikonyo's mother, is upset with his behaviour, and he leaves the house.
• Gikonyo visits Warui to inform him that Mugo will not lead the speeches at the Independence Day celebrations. They decide to visit Mugo together.
• Mugo is haunted by disturbing memories and refuses to speak at the celebrations. Gikonyo and Warui assume he is being humble and try to convince him to reconsider.
• Warui spreads the news of Mugo's refusal, and the village believes that his humility proves his greatness. He becomes a legendary hero in their eyes.
• Gikonyo is frustrated with Mugo, Warui, and the MP. When he returns home, his mother informs him that Mumbi has left and gone to her parents.

Flashbacks

• Gikonyo's Disappointment: He visited the farm he wanted to buy and discovered that the old owner, Burton, had left Kenya and the new owner was now their MP.
• Mugo's Fear: He recalls being terrified of a horse as a child, a fear he felt again when confronted by Mumbi and General R.
• Mugo's Memories of Torture: He remembers working in the trenches where a woman was being whipped by a home guard. He tried to stop it but was also whipped and later arrested.
• Gitogo's Death: Warui tells Mugo that the mother of Gitogo (who died in the struggle) had visited him, further deepening Mugo's guilt.

---

2. Themes

Heroism

• Irony of Perceived Heroism: When Mugo refuses to speak at the celebrations, saying, "I cannot, I cannot face so many eyes", the villagers mistake this for humility, reinforcing their belief that he is a hero.

Lack of Communication

• Marriage Conflict: Gikonyo and Mumbi's relationship continues to deteriorate due to unresolved issues. Mumbi's departure highlights the breakdown of their marriage.

Guilt, Suffering, and Sacrifice

• Mugo's Haunted Past: His memories of fear and suffering overwhelm him.
• Moral Conflict: He recalls trying to save the woman in the trench, yet being unable to stop her suffering.
• Overwhelming Guilt: When Warui tells him about Gitogo's mother, Mugo is overcome with remorse, feeling that his betrayal of Kihika worsened the suffering of his people. In his distress, he imagines "thick blood dripping from the mud walls of his hut".

---

Chapter 14 Study Notes

1. Summary of Events

Key Happenings

• The villagers gather to celebrate the night before Independence Day.
• A group visits Mugo's hut to invite him to join them, but he remains silent.
• A storm destroys huts and crops overnight.
• On Independence Day (12 December 1963), celebrations take place.
  • A race is organised around the field.
  • Karanja joins, hoping to win and be with Mumbi.
  • Mumbi is shocked to see Karanja, as she warned him to stay away, thinking he was Kihika's betrayer.
  • Mumbi now realises it was Mugo who betrayed Kihika.

Key Characters and Actions

• Mumbi tells Wambui that Mugo does not want to participate in the ceremony.
• While racing, Gikonyo, Karanja, General R, and Lieutenant Koina reflect on their past.
• Gikonyo falls, causing Karanja to win. General R is the true winner.
• Mumbi rushes to Gikonyo, but realises they are no longer together and leaves, embarrassed.
• Gikonyo breaks his arm and is taken to the hospital.
• During the afternoon ceremony, General R asks the person who betrayed Kihika to step forward.
• Mugo confesses:

"You asked for the man who led Kihika to this tree, here. That man stands before you now."

---

2. Flashbacks

• Mumbi recalls the previous night when Mugo admitted his betrayal.
• Karanja remembers confessing the oath to avoid being taken to the camps.
• Karanja was in despair after the Thompsons left, losing his security.
• General R reflects on his violent childhood.
• Lieutenant Koina recalls working for Dr Lynd, who lived in luxury while Kenyans suffered.

---

3. Themes

Community and the Collective

• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o highlights the importance of unity.
• The race symbolises shared experiences and the need to move forward together.

Betrayal and Redemption

• Mugo's confession reveals the irony of him being seen as a hero.
• Mumbi chooses forgiveness over revenge.

---

4. Symbols

Water (The Storm)

• The storm represents the violence of colonialism.
• The clearing of the storm suggests renewal and hope for an independent Kenya.

The Running Race

• The race symbolises the struggle of Kenya's leaders to face their past and build the future.
• Gikonyo's fall represents his personal struggles and broken relationships.

---

5. Figurative Language

Oxymoron

• Ngũgĩ uses an oxymoron in Karanja's flashback:

"White power had given Karanja a fearful security"

• This highlights how British rule provided protection that was ultimately unreliable and dangerous.