Devil On The Cross – Ngugi Wa Thiongo – Part 2

Mwireri Wa Mukiraai says ‘I personally believe in the democratic principle that states that he who is able to grab should be allowed to grab. You allow me to grab, and I will allow you to grab, and we will see who beats who in the game.’ It is only a devil that can devise such an inhuman principle.

When the rich old man reveals towards the end of the novel that Robin Mwaura murdered Mwireri, it does not bother us readers. His murder is an act of crucifixion.

The master of ceremonies at the Devil’s feast is one who deserves crucifixion. He is described as one with a well-fed body, with cheeks round, like two melons, eyes big and red plums, his neck was huge like the stem of a baobad tree, his stomach only slightly larger than his neck. He says “Today’s competition is the whetstone on which to sharpen our fangs and claws to enable him gnaw at other people’s wealth in unity and peace……..’ He deserves crucifixion.

The rich old man from Ngorika pretends to be a man of the church but he is the very one who impregnates and dumps Wariinga. Wariinga calls him a jigger, a louse, a weevil, a flea, a bedbug, a parasite that lives on the trees of other people’s lives.” He is actually the devil that Jacinta crucifies at the end of the novel, justifying the title, Devil on the cross.

Shooting Gitutu Wa Gataaguru and Kihaahu Wa Gatheeca by Jacinta Wariinga is another from of crucifixion of the devil. Taking into account the testimonies of these two characters at the devil’s feast, it is no doubt that they are among the devils.

In conclusion, the title, Devil on the cross is very appropriate considering the action that Jacinta takes at the end of the novel (shooting the three devils at the intended marriage ceremony).