Throughout the novel "Weep Not, Child" by Ngugi Thiong'o, hope is a persistent theme, often referred to symbolically through light. The novel begins with a hopeful start but as it progresses, there is a gradual loss of hope. In chapter 11 Njoroge confidently says that "sunshine always follows a dark night. We sleep knowing and trusting that the sun will rise tomorrow." expressing his hopefulness that his country's situation will improve. I disagree with this statement, …showed first 75 words of 1032 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1032 total…both completely shattered by the end of the book. Every form of hope that the Kenyans look for in this book is crushed. Even though we are left with the symbology of the mothers leaving Njoroge with hope, he is completely devastated and the book emphasizes greatly on his despair. Nyokabi carrying a light could symbolize a new hopeful stage for Njoroge after the "waning light" and the "darkness falls" sections of the novel.