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

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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

Questions for Discussion

1. What is the main action in the story?

2. State the happenings that are necessary in the
progress of the plot
3. How is suspense maintained in the selection?
Soon everyone will know that he has created and
then killed