Dreams in a Time of War

To what extent is Ngũgĩ’s book a childhood memoir and to what extent is it a political history of Kenya? How does the combination of these genres result in a unique text?

The Mau Mau Movement, also known as the Kenyan Land and Freedom Army, figures predominately in the book. How does this movement shape Ngũgĩ’s understanding of domination and resistance in colonial Kenya?

What are some of the internal divisions and conflicts within Kenyan communities? How are these divisions and conflicts exacerbated by capitalism and colonial rule?

Ngũgĩ sometimes relies on oral history to describe the past. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this approach?

Analyze the role of gender in the book. What is the status of men in Gĩkũyũ society? What is the status of women in Gĩkũyũ society? Who subverts these roles and how?

What is the place of religion in Ngũgĩ’s life? To what extent does he find it oppressive and to what extent does he find it liberating?

Ngũgĩ includes one photograph in the book. What is the significance of this photograph and why do you think he chose it?

In the final chapters of the book, Ngũgĩ visits his grandfather and his father’s homestead. Why is reconciliation important to him? Is there evidence of other moments of reconciliation in Ngũgĩ’s life?