The subsequent editions of Ngugi wa Thiong'o's "A Grain of Wheat" differ from the first edition due to revisions made by the author himself. Ngugi wa Thiong'o revised the novel in 1986, nearly two decades after its original publication in 1967. The revisions aimed to address several aspects of the novel, including language, style, and political context.
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Language: In the revised edition, Ngugi wa Thiong'o removed certain phrases and expressions that were remnants of British colonial language. He aimed to decolonize the language used in the novel by replacing these expressions with more authentic Kenyan English or Gikuyu phrases.
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Style: The revised edition saw modifications to the novel's narrative structure and style. The author made changes to enhance the flow of the narrative and improve the clarity of the plot for readers.
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Political context: The revisions also reflected the author's evolving political views. Ngugi wa Thiong'o's later works became more explicitly anti-colonial and socialist in nature, and the revisions to "A Grain of Wheat" brought the novel more in line with these perspectives.
These revisions demonstrate Ngugi wa Thiong'o's commitment to refining his work and engaging with the political and cultural context of Kenya, both at the time of the novel's original publication and in the years that followed. By revising "A Grain of Wheat," Ngugi wa Thiong'o sought to create a more authentic representation of the Kenyan struggle for independence and the complexities of post-colonial society.
The generated response is accurate in identifying the nature of the revisions Ngugi wa Thiong'o made to his novel A Grain of Wheat. The author did indeed update the 1967 version in 1987 with changes to language, style, and context. Let's talk a little more about why the author chose to revise his novel and add a few more details to fill in the picture.
It is important to note that Ngugi wa Thiong'o's perspective changed quite significantly in the twenty years between the novel's first appearance and the revision. He changed his name from James Ngugi, renounced many Western ways, including Christianity, and became much more radical in his political opinions. After twenty years, the author realized that his work no longer reflected his beliefs, so he decided to change it.
The most important changes were in the area of political expression. The author shifted the perspectives of his characters, especially his peasant characters, to reflect his newer ideas. He wanted to make them sound less bourgeoisie and more like oppressed people who were harmed by colonialism. Indeed, the author had felt this oppression firsthand by this point because he had been the object of government harassment and even detention. Ngugi, however, wanted to show a sense of triumph in his novel, and this, too, appears in the revised version. The oppressed can come out on top eventually with enough perseverance.
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