38 pages 1 hour read

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

A Grain of Wheat

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1967

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Themes

Communal Good vs. Individual Good

In a country torn by rebellion and strict government repercussions, the characters often have to make choices between actions for their own benefit or for the benefit of the society.

On the side of personal gain without consideration for the community are Mugo and Karanja. Mugo is mostly concerned with himself and his own small, peaceful existence—when this is interrupted, first by Kihika and later by the members of the Movement who seek to honor him at the Uhuru celebration—he is puzzled and frightened. Karanja also acts for his own good, selling out his countrymen for higher standing with British authorities and browbeating Mumbi into agreeing to sleep with him in exchange for help during the Emergency. His desire to elevate his own position in society often puts him in conflict with his own people, as seen when he became a Chief in the homeguard and later, when the people of Thabai are quick to denounce him as a traitor.

On the other side, willing to do everything for the greater good as they perceive it are Kihika and Mumbi. Kihika has little regard for himself as an individual, throwing himself wholly into the service of the Movement.

Related Titles

By Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Plot Summary

logo

A Meeting In The Dark

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

A Meeting In The Dark

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Study Guide

logo

Decolonising the Mind

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Decolonising the Mind: the Politics of Language in African Literature

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Study Guide

logo

Devil on the Cross

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Devil on the Cross

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Study Guide

logo

Dreams in a Time of War

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Dreams in a Time of War

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Plot Summary

logo

I Will Marry When I Want

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

I Will Marry When I Want

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Plot Summary

logo

Matigari

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Matigari

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Study Guide

logo

Petals of Blood

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Petals of Blood

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Study Guide

logo

The River Between

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

The River Between

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Plot Summary

logo

Weep Not, Child

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Weep Not, Child

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Plot Summary

logo

Wizard of the Crow

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Wizard of the Crow

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o