Genre
Fiction
Setting and Context
The novel is set in Kenya between 1870 and the 1990s in a variety of villages and cities: Yimbo, Sakwa, Aluor and Nakuru.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is told by a third-person limited-omniscient narrator
Tone and Mood
The tone is direct and the mood is optimistic, though there are moments of sorrow.
Protagonist and Antagonist
While the novel spans four generations of women, Akoko is the protagonist, as she works to break the male chauvinism epitomized by Otieno Kembo, who is her antagonist.
Major Conflict
The conflict between Akoko and Otieno Kembo with regard to the chief's position is the major conflict in the novel. As a result of Otieno's greed for both material possessions and power, Akoko has to persist, particularly after her husband Owuor Kembo dies. This conflict drives Akoko to seek help from the colonial government in Kisumu, an act that brings into light her courage and willingness to accept change as a woman and seek justice.
Climax
The climax of the novel is the death of Elizabeth, Nyabera's daughter and Akoko's grandchild. After the death of Elizabeth, her children are forlorn and lost. However, as characters do throughout the novel, they go off to continue with the business of the living as they must.
Foreshadowing
When Akoko finds out her son Obura went off with the white men, she lies in bed for three days and grieves for him as if he were dead, foreshadowing his eventual death.
Understatement
Allusions
Imagery
A vivid case of imagery is the narrator's description of Akoko
Paradox
Parallelism
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Personification
"Tragedy can sometimes be like a habitual drunk who keeps coming back for more."
Here tragedy is personified as an alcoholic who cannot stop drinking and always wants more. In the same way, tragedy will continue to come back and affect Akoko and her family.