Characters

Understanding Characters

• The protagonist is the main character in a story. In A Grain of Wheat, Mugo is the protagonist.
• The antagonist is the opposing character or one in conflict with the protagonist. In the novel, Kihika is an antagonist.
• Characterisation refers to how the author reveals characters' personalities through their thoughts, emotions, expressions, and actions.

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Main Characters

Mugo

• Grew up in Thabai village with his cruel aunt, Waiythero.
• His unhappy childhood made him anti-social and withdrawn.
• He wanted to live alone and tend to his shamba (small farm).
• However, he becomes involved in the struggle for independence and ultimately betrays Kihika.

Gikonyo

• Was friends with Kihika, Mumbi, and Karanja in his youth.
• Worked as a carpenter and was in love with Mumbi (who later became his wife).
• Detained for being a Mau Mau Movement member but released after confessing.
• Became a successful businessman after returning from detention.

Karanja

• Also friends with Kihika, Mumbi, and Gikonyo in his youth.
• Loved Mumbi, making him a rival to Gikonyo.
• Confessed to being a Mau Mau member to avoid arrest but later worked for the British.
• Became a home guard and later a Chief.

Kihika

• Mumbi's brother and a hero of the independence struggle.
• Was betrayed by someone in the village and handed over to the British.
• Hanged for his role in the fight for freedom, symbolising sacrifice.

Mumbi

• Strong and caring woman from Thabai.
• Sister of Kihika and wife of Gikonyo.
• Took care of her family during the State of Emergency.
• Compassionate—does not seek revenge for her brother's death.

General R

• Leader of a Mau Mau group and a friend of Kihika.
• Determined to find the traitor responsible for Kihika's death.

Lieutenant Koina

• Second in command to General R.
• Also a friend of Kihika.

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Minor Characters

People in Thabai

• Mbugua & Wanjiku – Parents of Mumbi and Kihika.
• Kariuki – Younger brother of Mumbi and Kihika.
• Wambuku – Kihika's girlfriend who is later beaten and dies.
• Njeri – Mumbi's friend, in love with Kihika, joins the fight, and is killed.
• Mwaura – Karanja's colleague and a spy for General R.
• Warui – A village elder.
• Wambui – An elderly woman and political activist.
• Waiythero – Mugo's cruel aunt who raised him.
• Githua – A villager who lost his leg (not in battle but in an accident).
• Gitogo – A deaf and dumb man mistakenly shot by the British.
• Reverend Jackson Kigundu – A Christian preacher killed by the Mau Mau.

British Characters

• John Thompson – Head of Rira detention camp, later a home guard officer.
• Margery Thompson – His wife.
• Dr Henry Van Dyke – Meteorologist at Githima, in love with Margery, killed by a train.
• District Officer Tom Robson – A British officer shot by Kihika.
• Mrs Dickinson – Librarian at Githima research station.
• Dr Lynd – Researcher at Githima, owns an aggressive dog.
• Mr Rogers – Agricultural officer, planned a research station at Githima.