A Grain of Wheat

by

Ngugi wa Thiong’o

Kihika Character Analysis

Kihika is the brother of Mumbi and Kariuki and the son of Mbugua and Wanjiku. Though already dead in the book’s present storyline, Kihika is the great hero of the Gikuyu and a leader of the Mau Mau Freedom Fighters. In contrast to the generally passive and indecisive male characters in the story, Kihika is assured of his destiny even as a child, knowing that his role is to fight the evil rule of the British and give his life as a sacrifice for his people if necessary. Kihika is driven by the stories of the Bible and his responsibility to his community, modeling the noble sacrifice required of oneself for the sake of others, especially in times of great historical struggle, even recognizing himself as a possible Christ figure in his leadership and sacrifice. In the depiction of colonialism, Kihika stands opposite John Thompson, representing the moral struggle for freedom from oppression, even at the cost of bloodshed. Kihika’s beliefs about sacrifice inevitably come to fruition, as he is betrayed by Mugo, captured, and executed for his leadership of the Freedom Fighters and his assassination of the notorious Thomas Robson. However, in his death, Kihika becomes an icon of the resistance for his people and is the “grain of wheat” referred to in the title, who by his death brings new life into the world.

Kihika Quotes in A Grain of Wheat

The A Grain of Wheat quotes below are all either spoken by Kihika or refer to Kihika. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Colonialism Theme Icon
).
Chapter 7 Quotes

Unknown to those around him, Kihika’s heart hardened towards “these people,” long before he had even encountered a white face. Soldiers came back from the war and told stories of what they had seen in Burma, Egypt, Palestine and India; wasn’t Mahatma Gandhi, the saint, leading the Indian people against the British rule? Kihika fed on these stories: his imagination and daily observation told him the rest; from early on, he had visions of himself, a saint, leading Kenyan people to freedom and power.

Related Characters: Kihika, Gikonyo
Page Number: 75
Explanation and Analysis:

“I would hate to see a train run over my mother or father, or brothers. Oh, what would I do?” [Mumbi] quickly exclaimed.

“Women are cowards.” Karanja said half in joke.

“Would you like a train to run over you?” Mumbi retorted angrily. Karanja felt the anger and did not answer.

Related Characters: Karanja (speaker), Mumbi (speaker), Kihika
Related Symbols: The Train / The Iron Snake
Page Number: 87
Explanation and Analysis:

In Kenya we want deaths which will change things, that is to say, we want true sacrifice. But first we have to be ready to carry the cross. I die for you, you die for me, we become a sacrifice for one another. So I can say that you, Karanja, are Christ. Everybody who takes the Oath of Unity to change things in Kenya is a Christ.

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Karanja
Related Symbols: The Oath
Page Number: 93
Explanation and Analysis:

Though Njeri was a short girl, her slim figure made her appear tall. But there was something tough about that slimness. She despised women’s weaknesses, like tears, and whenever fights occurred at Kinenie [forest], she always fought, even with men. A cat, men called her, because few could impose their physical will on her.

Related Characters: Kihika, Wambuku, Njeri
Page Number: 100
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

“I despise the weak. Why? Because the weak need not remain weak. Listen! Our fathers fought bravely. But do you know the biggest weapon unleashed by the enemy against them? It was not the Maxim gun. It was the division amongst them. Why? Because a people united in faith are stronger than the bomb. They shall not tremble or run away before the sword.”

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Mugo
Page Number: 186
Explanation and Analysis:

“But what is an oath? For some people, you need the oath to bind them to the Movement. There are those who’ll keep a secret unless bound by an oath. I know them […] In any case how many took the oath and are now licking the toes of the whiteman? No, you take an oath to confirm a choice already made. The decision to lay or not to lay your life on the line for the people lies in the heart. The oath is water sprinkled on a man’s head at baptism.”

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Mugo
Related Symbols: The Oath
Page Number: 187
Explanation and Analysis:

I am important. I must not die. To keep myself alive, healthy, strong—to wait for my mission in life is a duty to myself, to men and women of tomorrow. If Moses had died in the reeds, who would ever have known that he was destined to be a great man?

Related Characters: Mugo (speaker), Kihika
Page Number: 191
Explanation and Analysis:
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Kihika Quotes in A Grain of Wheat

The A Grain of Wheat quotes below are all either spoken by Kihika or refer to Kihika. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Colonialism Theme Icon
).
Chapter 7 Quotes

Unknown to those around him, Kihika’s heart hardened towards “these people,” long before he had even encountered a white face. Soldiers came back from the war and told stories of what they had seen in Burma, Egypt, Palestine and India; wasn’t Mahatma Gandhi, the saint, leading the Indian people against the British rule? Kihika fed on these stories: his imagination and daily observation told him the rest; from early on, he had visions of himself, a saint, leading Kenyan people to freedom and power.

Related Characters: Kihika, Gikonyo
Page Number: 75
Explanation and Analysis:

“I would hate to see a train run over my mother or father, or brothers. Oh, what would I do?” [Mumbi] quickly exclaimed.

“Women are cowards.” Karanja said half in joke.

“Would you like a train to run over you?” Mumbi retorted angrily. Karanja felt the anger and did not answer.

Related Characters: Karanja (speaker), Mumbi (speaker), Kihika
Related Symbols: The Train / The Iron Snake
Page Number: 87
Explanation and Analysis:

In Kenya we want deaths which will change things, that is to say, we want true sacrifice. But first we have to be ready to carry the cross. I die for you, you die for me, we become a sacrifice for one another. So I can say that you, Karanja, are Christ. Everybody who takes the Oath of Unity to change things in Kenya is a Christ.

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Karanja
Related Symbols: The Oath
Page Number: 93
Explanation and Analysis:

Though Njeri was a short girl, her slim figure made her appear tall. But there was something tough about that slimness. She despised women’s weaknesses, like tears, and whenever fights occurred at Kinenie [forest], she always fought, even with men. A cat, men called her, because few could impose their physical will on her.

Related Characters: Kihika, Wambuku, Njeri
Page Number: 100
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

“I despise the weak. Why? Because the weak need not remain weak. Listen! Our fathers fought bravely. But do you know the biggest weapon unleashed by the enemy against them? It was not the Maxim gun. It was the division amongst them. Why? Because a people united in faith are stronger than the bomb. They shall not tremble or run away before the sword.”

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Mugo
Page Number: 186
Explanation and Analysis:

“But what is an oath? For some people, you need the oath to bind them to the Movement. There are those who’ll keep a secret unless bound by an oath. I know them […] In any case how many took the oath and are now licking the toes of the whiteman? No, you take an oath to confirm a choice already made. The decision to lay or not to lay your life on the line for the people lies in the heart. The oath is water sprinkled on a man’s head at baptism.”

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Mugo
Related Symbols: The Oath
Page Number: 187
Explanation and Analysis:

I am important. I must not die. To keep myself alive, healthy, strong—to wait for my mission in life is a duty to myself, to men and women of tomorrow. If Moses had died in the reeds, who would ever have known that he was destined to be a great man?

Related Characters: Mugo (speaker), Kihika
Page Number: 191
Explanation and Analysis: