Simile: Waiyaki's Burden
When Chege tells his son Waiyaki that he is the last of his line and that he is supposed to fulfill the prophecy of saving their people, Waiyaki "felt as if a heavy cloud was pressing down his soul." The simile emphasizes how Waiyaki feels crushed by the immense weight of the burden which his father put on him. Waiyaki will labor under this burden for the entire text. Even while he is proud of his accomplishments, he cannot help but dwell on the prophecy and wonder whether or not it really pertains to him.
Simile: The Trance
Taking part in the ceremonial dance before his circumcision, Waiyaki "felt as if a hand soft and strong had held his soul and whipped it off." This simile illustrates his state of trance, where he forgets all his sorrows temporarily and finally feels free. Indeed, the only thing he clings on to is now "this mad intoxication of ecstasy and pleasure." Waiyaki rarely allows himself to indulge like this, and when he is finished he feels embarrassed. This foreshadows his growing estrangement from the tribe.
Simile: Waiyaki, the Shepherd
Talking to his community about education, Waiyaki is portrayed "like a shepherd speaking to his flock." This simile alludes to Jesus speaking to his followers, as the image of Jesus as a shepherd is a common motif in the Bible. Therefore, Waiyaki is seen as the savior of the tribe, leading his followers to the land of education. It is also important that Ngugi uses a Christian allusion because it reveals how Waiyaki straddles both the white and the Kenyan worlds.
Metaphor: Darkness and Sin
Ngugi writes of Joshua, "He realized the ignorance of his people. He felt the depth of the darkness in which they lived. He saw the muddy water through which they waded unaware of the dirt and mud" (29). There are several metaphors here, all of which suggest that Joshua is very antagonistic towards the tribal customs to which he used to adhere. He depicts the people in a darkness; they need the light of Christ to save them. He also suggests that the people are through the mud, meaning they are soiled as they slog along. They need to be cleansed by Christ, which is what Joshua hopes to do for them.
Metaphor: Religion and Joshua
Of his own family, Joshua thinks, "Religious uniformity in his own home was binding. He meant to be an example to all, a bright light that would show the way, a rock on which the weak would step on their way to Christ" (30). First, Joshua uses the metaphor of a bind to suggest how tightly his house is run; it is clear why Muthoni and Nyambura feel stifled in his household. Second, Joshua envisions himself as a light that can show the people immersed in darkness the errors of their ways. And third, Joshua uses the metaphor of a rock that provides a foundation for the people to walk upon. These three metaphors indicate that Joshua thinks very highly of himself.
