Literary devices used in the novel, Weep Not, Child

Imagery:

The references to light and dark throughout the novel speaks to optimism and despair, to write and wrong, to hopelessness and salvation. Njoroge's focus on the light helps to buoy him through Kenya's dark times, but when the light goes out for him, he waits for literal darkness in order to attempt to take his own life.

Symbol:

In this novel, the land symbolizes different things to different people: for Mr. Howlands, it is a representation of his ability to restrain, control and subdue, whereas to Ngotho the land symbolizes his connection to his ancestors and his spirituality, as seen through the legend of Gikuyu and Mumbi, to whom the land was given by Murungu the Creator.

The road is a symbol of colonial oppression.

In the case of this novel, pyrethrum (a crop) is symbolic not just of wealth, and the difference between those with and without money, but a marker of land ownership and of accepting the colonial laws and customs.

Simile:

This is my land.' Mr Howlands said this as a man would say, This is my woman.