Many characters in Ngugi’s novel A Grain of Wheat struggle to communicate. While some of them are constrained by physical disabilities (e.g., Gitogo), others suffer from emotional and/or mental forms of paralysis (e.g., Mugo). How does Ngugi use such characters to underscore the importance of communication? Why does he think people need to open their hearts to each other? How do we hurt ourselves and others through our silence?
