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This Time Tomorrow is a group of three short plays written by Ngugi wa Thiong'o.

The Wound In The Heart:

Plot:

A village is preparing for the return of war hero and prisoner of war, Rihiu. At the same time, the elders seem to worry about what to do about Rihiu’s wife, as something has happened to her. Wagnari, Rihiu’s mother, warns the everyone to help and support Rihiu’s wife upon his return. Eventually, Rihiu enters, much to the joy and fear of the villagers. The Leader of the village welcomes him, but also explains that “together they may forget the past and only look for a new day tomorrow” (Page 24). Rihiu, confused by his words, expresses that he will never forget the trauma and hardships he faced. He will allow his wound to remain as a reminder. Rihiu only wants to spend time with his mother and see his wife. Everyone tries their best to keep Rihiu away from his wife, however, which frustrates him. Finally, after Rihiu’s persistence, the truth is revealed; his wife has just had a child conceived through the act of rape by a British officer. Everyone tries to calm the man down, before Rihiu storms into the hut holding his wife and her new born child. He comes out crazed after finding his wife missing. Wagnari explains that elders are currently looking for her. Everyone, including Rihiu, prays for her safe return, only for an elder to return with horrible news; Rihiu’s wife has committed suicide. Rihiu, in a rage filled with sadness, rushes off to kill the child. Wagnari prays for her son’s well being. The Leader is the only one to come back, with news that Rihiu has died as well from the grief. Wagnari mourns the deaths of both Rihiu and his wife, saying that her wound will never heal. The play ends with her asking the elders to take her to the newborn child.

Characters:

- Rihiu

- Wagnari

- Leader

- Elders 1, 2, 3, 4

Themes:

- The Wound: Ngugi uses the motif of “the wound” in many of his plays. In The Wound In The Heart, Rihiu, Wagnari, his wife, and the villagers all have their own wounds. How each character decides to deal with their wound differs. The elders and Leader all feel that to forget the past and to move forward is the way to begin to heal your wound. Wagnari believes that support and love will begin to heal your wounds, although some wounds won’t ever heal. Rihiu feels that his wound defines him and so, he will never allow it to close.

- Choice: The characters all use the power of choice in this play. Rihiu chooses to keep his wound open to never forget. The elders, Leader, and Wagnari choose to support Rihiu’s wife during her strife. Wagnari even chooses to care for the child at the end of the play. Interestingly, Rihiu’s wife is the a character who has had the option of “choice” ripped away from her. The only choice we “see” her make is the decision to kill herself. Still, one could view the character through controversial lens due to her lack of a name and the audience never actually seeing her.