Ngugi Wa Thiong’o
The stories we had to read this week by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o were much harder to read than most of the stories we had to read. One I found particularly interesting was “Wedding at the Cross”. The whole time reading this I felt so bad for the single mother. She wasn’t single, but really she was because her husband didn’t do anything for her. I was so happy with the ending that she finally stood up to him and wouldn’t marry him. This story reminded me a lot of my life in a way. I used to be engaged to someone who went away to the military and when he came ended up being a completely different person. I was the one who called it off in the end because I wasn’t going to marry this new person. I think that is why I enjoyed the story so much, it reminded me of myself. I also found it interesting that they kept referring to the husband as having died and being another man. That part of him and the person he used to be did die. That person no longer exists.
Another story we had to read “Minutes of Glory” also was a page turner. This one was the most confusing by far. Yet again the ending is what made the story. I felt like the women Beatrice was lowering herself and being just like the rich people in the story. By buying the clothes and wanting people to pay attention to her she was giving in to them and not being true to herself. The people she once hated she had become. This is so typical in today’s world. Everyone says they hate certain types of people and groups, but yet given the opportunity they would become them too. I found it interesting that her love interest in the story didn’t have a name. When reading I thought she wouldn’t have a name either because she could represent everyone else in the world. Whether we like to think that way or not it is true. A lot of people would give up anything to be that rich person who wears the nice clothes no matter if they say they would or not. The only thing is she acted on who she wanted to be like. Good for her to be able to do that. She knew the consequences when she did it and was willing to except her punishment. No one may agree with what she did is right but it’s what most people I think would do if given the chance. Because of that little charade she is now happier and more content. Good for her.
Both stories were very interesting to read!
You do a good job here of weaving your personal experience into the story and showing how it influenced how you ultimately interpreted the story. You do a good job of showing how "Minutes of Glory" can be considered to have a happy ending.
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