Name:-Poojaba S.GohilClass:-M.A.Sem-4Paper No.:-14 The African LiteraturePresentation Topic:-Flashback Technique in 'A Grain Of Wheat'Submitted To:-MKBU,Department Of EnglishYear:-2015-17

What is a Flashback Technique:-• An interjected scene that takes the narrative back

in time from the current point in the story.• A connectivity of the present with the past.

Flashback in Literature:-• To know Character's background• To know the reason behind the character's present

actions• It first increase tension & latter on give relief by

clear the entire narratives.

Examples of Flashback Technique:-• Paradise Lost• Ramayana• Mahabharata• Odyssey

Flashback in the Present Novel:-• It set during the Kenya's struggle for

independence• Focusing on Mugo,a leading character• A day of celebration for Kenya's independence• Intended to executes the betrayer of Kihika,a

heroic fighter of the village

Point of view of the writer:-• To reveal the inside of character at different time• Past events are examined• Story begins before Kenyan Celebration & climaxes

at the celebration itself & in between it turns back in time & then returns to Kenyan

Reveling story in Flashback:-• Mumbi's story that revels the lives of the people• Find the reason of Kihika's death

How characters deal with the Flashback Technique:-• Mugo:-• Incident of Mago's help to a woman• Led a hunger strick too• Kihika's death or murder forced him to confess

himself

Mumbi:-• Married Gikolyo,a Carpenter• Faced some poor conditions• Confess the relationship with Karanja

Gikinyo:-• He believed in the movement• At camp he felt lonely & lost his mindset• Shocked to see the relationship of Mumbi with

another man

Kihika:-• Killed a District Officer-Robson• Betrayed by Mugo due to fear of arresting• A real man of the movement

Conclusion:-• Characters felt the need of telling their past

experience & connect self to the present• Mugo's decision to remove the burden of guilt by

confession of Kihika's murder• Something missing in the present & that connects

or fills through the past• It hits the right aim

Thank You...