Settler Williams’ House

The house where Settler Williams once lived and where his son Robert and servant John Boy now live is one of the main settings of the novel, since it is the central point of contest between the Williams and Matigari. The house is large and, according to Matigari, belongs to him and his family. However, because Matigari has no title deed to the house, Robert and John Boy refuse to part with the house. Settler Williams is killed in the house.

The Mugumo Tree

The mugumo tree is the setting of the first and last scenes of the novel. At the beginning of the novel, readers see Matigari go to the tree and bury his AK-47 beneath it, representing his decision to reject violent means of resistance and to pursue a path of non-violence. However, at the end of the novel, Matigari has rejected this philosophy...