JOURNAL ARTICLE

Exploring Pain and Trauma in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat.

  • Published In: Journal of African Languages & Literary Studies (JoALLS), 2025, v. 6, n. 2. P. 57 1 of 3

  • Database: Communication Source 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Konyak, Manshok; Sujata 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the exploration of pain and trauma in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's novel *A Grain of Wheat*, set against the backdrop of the Mau Mau uprising and Kenya's struggle for independence. It analyzes how the novel portrays both individual and collective psychological wounds inflicted by British colonial violence, particularly through the characters Mugo and Gikonyo, whose experiences of guilt, betrayal, and imprisonment reflect broader communal trauma. Drawing on trauma theory and Frantz Fanon's work on colonial psychological impact, the study highlights how Ngũgĩ uses trauma as a narrative device to reveal the enduring scars of colonialism on identity and community. The article argues that acknowledging and narrating this trauma is essential for understanding postcolonial African literature and the ongoing process of healing from colonial oppression.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of African Languages & Literary Studies (JoALLS). 2025/08, Vol. 6, Issue 2, p57
  • Document Type:Literary Criticism
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:2633-2108
  • DOI:10.31920/2633-2116/2025/v6n2a4
  • Accession Number:187879049
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of African Languages & Literary Studies (JoALLS) is the property of Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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