A Meeting in the Dark

A Meeting in the Dark Ngugi wa Thiong`o

Characters:

John (son):polite, educated, intelligent (wants to go to Makerere University), a favorite, a model of humility and moral perfection, would never betray the tribe. Stanley (father):Strict clergyman (preacher) + strict father.(because of his sin!) Old, frail but energetic. Always has his dirty back made out of strong calico with a Bible, a hymn-book and a notebook. Susanna (mother):strong, protects her son.

Characters:

Wamuhu:Kikuyu Culture, lives in the village Circumcised (tradition) Is pregnant of John Wamuhus mother:likes the idea of the relationship between her daughter and John. Wamuhus father:Is against the relation. Doesnt like the white man, because they broke the tribes code of behaviour. They make unmarried girls their wives and then left them with fatherless children (p. 88. l. 30-32)

Questions

Describe the father and son relationship

Compare and contrast Johns family and Wamuhus family.

Summary

John has sinned, he slept with Wamuhu and made her pregnant. Now he is afraid of his strict father. He, Stanley himself has sinned, too in his youth by sleeping with Susanna who became pregnant with John. Thats why he wants to protect his son of this sin. John cant marry Wamuhu, because that would destroy his chances of going to University, further more shes circumcised. He offers her money that she tells someone else is the father. Wamuhu of course doesnt want to do so, so John is so excited, desperate and furious that he puts his arms around Wamuhus neck and strangles her till shes death.

Story Elements

Complications conflict flashback foreshadowing Main themes: cross cultural experiences The white man destroy the culture of the village, their religion and traditions. John has sinned like his father did, thats why he cant talk to him and ask for help. Circumcision out of tradition: John cant marry Wamuhu.

Questions for Discussion

What is the main action in the story?State the happenings that are necessary in the progress of the plotHow is suspense maintained in the selection?

Soon everyone will know that he has created and then killed