Critique of Minuites of Glory

Critique of Minutes of Glory

Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Human experiences are never without stressful circumstances. Studies have shown that life's stressful occurrences, which are directly correlated to the maladies which impact upon human beings, usually stem from traumatic childhood experiences. In order to shun the development of dysfunctional behavior, individuals must possess a strong sense of self and be accepting of their role in society. In the short story Minutes of Glory by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the protagonist Wanjiru, whose christian name is Beatrice, epitomizes this phenomenon. She often is often bombarded with the feeling that she is alienated from the outside world and faces rejection and ridicule. These are some factors which have attributed to her state of mind.

The core issue affecting Wanjiru's life is the knowledge that she didn't get to complete her education. This gave the feeling that her parents had nothing to offer her. She is also derided by the society which in turn seriously hampers the development of her sense of identity. Not knowing, accepting and loving herself lead to Wanjiru decolorizing her skin. In the short story it is styled as "she had to rub out her black shame." This indispensible yearning she had for change was due to her unstable sense of self.

. She attempts to smother her feelings about home and her family, do to this unhealthy practice of repression Wanjiru often cries at nights and long for home.

Wanjiru also exhibits a behavior called projection. This is the act of believing, without concrete evidence, that someone feels the same way we feel. This is depicted in the short story at the point that Wanjiru began getting emotionally involved with the man who drove the 5 ton lorry. "Was this man not a fellow victim?" echoed her astonishment and utter bewilderment. Wanjiru directs her pent up frustrations at Nyaguthii, she displaces these emotions so as not to resolve her emotional baggage. She that claims that Nyaguthii embodies what she aspires to be in life. This nature of psychological dysfunction is called displacement.

Owing to the fact that Wanjiru did not resolve any of the numerous problems that assailed her life, in the end she inevitable destroys her life.