Structure

The short story “A Meeting in the Dark” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o begins in medias res, with John’s father, Stanley, returning home and discussing with John the details of his leaving to university next week. 

This becomes an occasion for a couple of small flashbacks, as John remembers from his childhood his mother, Susana, telling him she is not allowed to tell him any more stories, because Stanley does not want her to. Susana has a similar flashback of Stanley ordering her to tell John about Jesus instead of telling him stories. 

There are several instances of foreshadowing in the story. Wamuhu’s father worrying about John’s visit, and asking his wife if she has “ ‘seen strange behavior’ ” with Wamuhu foreshadows the fact that Wamuhu is already pregna...