John

John is the main character of the short story. He is also Stanley and Susana's only son. After Stanley converts to Christianity, John learns to fear his father. Stanley even forbids Susana to tell John stories. Whenever he asks her to tell him a tale, Susana warns him that Stanley might discover and punish them. Over the years, John's fear for Stanley grows. While he does not seem to have adopted Stanley's faith as his own, he tries adhering to Stanley's moral code in order to avoid shame and condemnation.

Like many of his male peers, John has received a Western education. In the story's narrative present, he has finished his foundational schooling and plans to leave for university in Makerere, Uganda at the end of the following week. Before he leaves, however, he must decide what to do about his relationship with Wamuhu. Though the young people...