An exploration of the theme of guilt and redemption in "The Guide" by R. K. Narayan and "A Grain of Wheat" by Ngugi wa Thiong’o.

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Date

2007

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

NUST, Department of Communication.

Abstract

This article examines the theme of guilt and redemption in The Guide by R.K. Narayan and A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Guilt and redemption are treated as one because redemption of the two main protagonists in the two novels follows upon guilt. The protagonists of the two novels are compared with each other because both of them dupe the general public into believing that they are heroes. They follow similar paths of being ordinary men who, in the course of their lives, win the admiration of their people because of a misunderstanding.Instead of revealing their true selves they allow this misperception to continue because it suits them. How each of the protagonists meets his destiny and seeks his redemption is, in the final count, the embodiment of the philosophical vision of the two novelists writing from a post colonial perspective. Since the article deals with the theme of guilt and redemption as one, it, therefore, not only compares and contrasts the protagonists in the novels, also addresses the issue of writing in a post colonial world and how this impacts the world view of each writer.

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Keywords

Narayan, R. K., 1906-2001 - Criticism and interpretation, Redemption in literature, Guilt in literature, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, 1938-Present - Criticism and interpretation, Narayan, R. K., 1906-2001. The guide, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, 1938-Present. A grain of wheat, The guide (Novel) - Criticism and interpretation, Guide, The (Novel) - Criticism and interpretation, Grain of wheat, A (Novel) - Criticism and interpretation, A grain of wheat (Novel) - Criticism and interpretation

Citation

Krishnamurthy, S. (2007). An exploration of the theme of guilt and redemption in "The Guide" by R.K Narayan and "A Grain of Wheat" by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Nawa Journal of Language and Communication, 1(1), 105-111.

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