Dreams in a Time of War

Dreams in a Time of War (2005) by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o Dreams in a Time of War covers many different time periods and kinds of sources—from oral history and personal memories to newspaper accounts and government records—in its analysis of colonial domination, collaboration, and resistance highlights the effects of Indirect Rule, a tactic in which the British used local leaders to enact oppressive policies. If local leaders did not comply then they would be replaced with British appointments who supported colonial rule. Such tactics often caused intense conflicts within African communities, which Ngũgĩ also addresses. For instance, in the earlier part of the book, Ngũgĩ emphasizes the differences between those who follow traditional practices and those who adopt Westernized practices. As the book progresses, these internal divisions grow in magnitude, with life and death consequences, as some Africans collaborate with the colonial state while others oppose it. Ngũgĩ is caught up in these struggles, often unintentionally, such as when he walks into a military dragnet. Yet, it is clear which side Ngũgĩ supports, for as he matures, he develops a growing awareness of the injustices of colonialism and the importance of resisting this oppression.

Quotes

• narrowly escaped death”
  • Page 8
• three different models of modernity and tradition”
  • Page 79
• a practical and psychological assault on the African initiative for self-reliance”
  • Page 166
• uninhabited” lands and brought “medicine, progress, and peace” to Africans
  • Page 168
• He had restored something we had lost, pride in our teachers, pride in ourselves”
  • Page170
• ‘He was caught red-handed,’ some were saying. Imagine, bullets in his hands. In broad daylight.’Everybody, even we children, knew that for an African to be caught with bullets or empty shells was treason; he would be dubbed a terrorist, and his hanging by the rope was the only outcome.We could hear gunfire,’ some were saying.I saw them shoot at him with my own eyes.’But he didn’t die!’‘Die? Hmm! Bullets flew at those who were shooting.’No, he flew into the sky and disappeared into the clouds.’
  • Pages 5-6
• But, somehow, in time, I began to connect a few threads, and things became clearer as if I was emerging from a mist. I learned that our land was not quite our land; that our compound was part of a property owned by an African landlord, Lord Reverend Stanley Kahahu, or Bwana Stanley, as we called him; that we were now the ahoi, tenants at will. How did we come to be ahoi on our own land? Had we lost our traditional land to Europeans? The mist had not cleared entirely.
  • Page 11
• Belief in yourself is more important than endless worries of what others think of you. Value yourself and others will value you. Validation is best that comes from within.
  • [1]
• Surely my mother could do anything to which she set her mind
  • [2]
• Written words can also sing.
  • [3]

External links

• supersummary
• goodreads