The River Between (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Ngugi wa Thiong'o
- First Published: 1965
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: The 1890’s to early 1930’s
- Setting: Kameno and Makuyu, in Kenya
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: Culture, Africa or Africans, Tradition, Politics, Colonies or colonization, Race, Nineteenth century, Education or educators, Religion, Manners or customs, 1910’s, 1920’s, 1930’s, Christianity, Death or dying, Rites or ceremonies, Christ figures or saviors
- Locales: Kenya, Kameno, Kenya, Makuyu, Kenya
Characters Discussed
Waiyaki (way-YAH-kee), a dedicated teacher. His father, Chege, rears him to appreciate his African heritage so that when he is sent to the missionaries to learn the white man’s magic, he acquires knowledge without repudiating his inheritance. Waiyaki urgently seeks to educate his people through schools that, being locally sponsored, will increase literacy but not undermine tradition. His determination to maintain a balance between old and new beliefs is suspect to those who prefer the extremes of total rejection and eager acceptance of colonial ways....
[The entire page is 687 words long]
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