The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Literary Elements

Non-fiction

Malawi, modern day

This story is told from a first-person point of view. William Kamkwamba is the narrator.

The tone modulates according to William's mood. It is generally told neutrally, but fluctuates from playful to depressing to hopeful as he grows up and encounters many hardships. However, because he is also explaining much of the history of Malawi, the tone occasionally shifts to a more explanatory, encyclopedic tone to best convey information to the audience.

William Kamkwamba is the protagonist. There is no consistent antagonist, but throughout, William must reckon with famine, governmental failure, and community doubt.

The major conflict of this book is William Kamkwamba trying to innovate and move from surviving to thriving in his hometown. However, the community doubts his ability to do so, the governmental systems do not allow for him to get a proper education that might foster his scientific curiosity, and his family's poverty prevents him from reaching his goals. The tension between outside forces and William's consistent desire to use science is core to the book.

The creation of a windmill is the climax of the story. It is the culmination of many years of thoughts, ideas, and hopes for the future, as well as a lot of hard work from William and his friends.

From the start of the book, the lack of faith in magic foreshadows William's eventual scientific revelations. He shows scientific curiosity from an early age, despite not recognizing it as science. The dynamo, a way of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, is mentioned early on in the book, as well as William's affinity for science.

Additionally, the famine of 2002 is foreshadowed by descriptions of the governmental failure that led to the demise of the agriculture industry in Malawi.

William describes President Muluzi as a "funny guy" when he finally acknowledges the famine in his country, after thousands of his people have already died (155).

When the famine first descends on Malawi, William compares it to the plagues of Egypt in the Bible. The scale and misfortune seems so widespread that it can be compared to the wrath of God.

During William's experience at Chamama during the famine, he describes the ADMARC building as "the Promised Land," and the ditch full of rain in front of it as the "great river Jordan." This alludes to the plight of the Israelites as they sought out land that was supposedly given to them by God.

After seeing the windmill and the international attention that his contraption brought to Malawi, William's family nicknames him Noah after the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible. This comparison treats William like a savior for Malawi and his local community especially.

See Imagery section.

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When William needs to repair his windmill, he personifies it as his equal.