Summary

The short story “A Meeting in the Dark” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o follows John, a young man from the Kikuyu community in Kenya. He is leaving for the University of Makerere in Uganda next week. John’s father, Stanley, is a stern preacher, who converted to Christianity when John was a child. John has a secret which he is afraid others might learn. He is also very afraid of his father and feels conflicted and constrained. 

John goes to Wamuhu’s hut. Wamuhu’s parents have heard of John by reputation and are happy that someone so educated takes an interest in their daughter. However, John is embarrassed and leaves in a hurry, meeting Wamuhu outside. After he leaves, Wamuhu’s parents discuss her chances of marrying John. Her mother believes John is in lov...