Themes in A Grain of Wheat | A Novel by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

Uncover the powerful themes and symbolism in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o's novel, A Grain of Wheat. Discover the themes of colonialism, betrayal, and more.

In this video, we'll discuss the symbolism and themes in A Grain of Wheat, including the role of colonialism and betrayal in the story. Whether you're a student studying this novel or a fan of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o's work, this video will provide insight and analysis of the themes and symbols within A Grain of Wheat.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is one of the best novelists from Kenya. He wrote “A Grain of Wheat” in which he explores themes related to Kenya’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He wanted to give voice to the experiences and perspectives of Kenyan people. The novel was published in 1867. Thus, the author wrote about the impacts of British rule on individuals and society. The novel sheds light on this climacteric moment in history. The writer also examined the complexities of the struggles of his people for independence, their sacrifices, betrayals as well as moral dilemmas that they continually faced for years.

So far as universality in the themes is concerned, the author highlights the importance of memory and history in shaping the present and the actions that can be taken to create a better future.

It is necessary to understand a brief summary and the historical background of the novel before analysing its importance and to see the world from the perspective of the author.

Short Summary of the Novel
The writer has divided the book into different sections. Let’s know the story of the book section by section.

In the first section, the writer introduces us to the character Mugo. He has been suffering mentally for years because of a secret. The story then jumps back in time to the period just before Kenya’s independence. In the past, there were many considerable characters. Gikonyo and Mumbi are prominent in this regard. Both of these are in a relationship. However, their relationship is strained due to Gikonyo’s past infidelity.

The story progresses further and readers learn more about some of the other characters. Many of them struggled and led Kenya to independence. One of the characters named Kihika becomes a hero of the freedom movement. He also becomes an inspiration for others and motivates them to fight for their independence.

The novelist puts characters in difficult situations and lets them make moral choices. Many betray their own beliefs and the people around them. The novel shows how the struggle for independence affects different people in different ways. Ultimately, the hard choices of characters cause divisions within families and communities.

Finally, the characters gain the output of their struggles. They celebrate Kenya’s independence. The new nation is not well settled. It has many challenges to face in the future. However, everything is good as the nation would certainly rise as an independent nation.

In short, the writer shows the struggle of people in gaining independence in his novel “A Grain of Wheat ” as well as the consequences that they face.

Read more at:

00:00 - Introduction
00:24 - Theme of Nationalism in A Grain of Wheat
01:19 - Theme of Self-Identity in A Grain of Wheat
02:28 - Theme of Betrayal in A Grain of Wheat
03:21 - Theme of Sacrifice in A Grain of Wheat
04:09 - Theme of Colonialism in A Grain of Wheat
05:09 - Theme of "Memory and History" in A Grain of Wheat
05:58 - Conclusion