In the novel Weep Not, Child, by Ngugi Wa Thiong"o, Njoroge is growing up amidst to the Mau Mau war and the conflict between the African natives and British colonial rulers. Education parallels the life of the Kenyan people. Those who get their education, the intellectual ones, are looked upon as saviors of the African land. Njoroge, the dreamer and accomplished student, must decide where his loyalty lies.
In Kenya, those who receive educations are looked upon as intellectual saviors of the land. The ironic aspect of the education is that it is being handed down from British rule. Njoroge, the youngest of four brothers, wanted nothing more than to receive an education and provide for the welfare of his family. "O mother, I"ll never bring shame to you. Just let me get there, just let me." (Ngugi 3) Due to the fact that Njoroge is at a so called "age of the innocence" he has the opportunity to get schooling. The brothers before him have already made their tracks in the roles they are going to take in life. Whether it be a life of war, craftsman or a life maintaining land all see the importance of education. Njoroge takes his education seriously and excels to the next level. It is the support from his family and from Mwihaki that means the most. "Education is everything education is good only because it would lead to the recovery of the lost lands." (Ngugi 39) It is said that the reasons that the lands were taken from the black men is because of their so called "stupidity." This fact is imbedded in Njoroge's mind. He wants to excel to make a life for himself and his family. He sees first hand that to be considered rich in Kenya you need to have land. Not work the land as his father does, but actually own the land. .
He knew that for him education would be the fulfillment .
of a wider and more significant vision - a vision that embraced .
the demand made on him, not only by his father, but also by his mother, his brothers and even the village.
