The River Between

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1965

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-17

Chapters 18-21

Chapters 22-26

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Character Analysis

Waiyaki

Waiyaki is the male protagonist of the novel, and much of the plot is presented from his point of view. He is characterized by his unique eyes, his leadership qualities, and his strength. Although his father, Chege, deems him the savior of the Gikuyu lands, Waiyaki suffers from intense internal confusion and conflict, often wondering if his father’s prophecy is true. These feelings become more pronounced throughout his transition into adulthood, especially amidst the escalation of conflict in the region due to the arrival of Christian Europeans. Guilt and betrayal haunt him as he tries to define himself authentically despite the daunting burden of his father’s prophecy.

Waiyaki is portrayed as lonely and uncertain, often doubting and second-guessing the nature of his social role. He often finds solace in the idea of education as a tool to bolster the Gikuyu tribes and to preserve the community from the influences of colonization. However, his steadfast belief in education borders on religious zealotry and is ultimately insufficient to meet the complex social needs of his tribe during this time of great cultural change. His love for Muthoni and Nyambura are sources of certainty and self-actualization that allow him to transcend the boundaries of culture, prophecy, and colonialism. Together, Nyambura and Muthoni act as an anchor for Waiyaki, opening him to new desires and connecting him with something that more precious and essential than the conventional demands of his fractious reality. As his inner selfishness and selflessness war with one another, Waiyaki ultimately chooses to remain loyal to Nyambura and the memory of her deceased sister. He thus proves himself to be honorable, thoughtful, self-chastising, and tenacious. While Waiyaki treasures the European education he receives and sees it as a way to bolster and preserve the tribes, he also embraces certain Gikuyu worldviews, leaving room for superstition, a deep respect for nature, and a unique intimacy with Nyambura.

Nyambura

Nyambura is the female protagonist of the novel. Immediately characterized by her spiritual connection with the river Honia, Nyambura has an intimate relationship with nature and the land of the hills, embracing Gikuyu traditionalism despite her father’s (and her own) Christian beliefs. Her best friend is her sister, Muthoni, whose conviction and bravery are admirable but are seemingly beyond Nyambura’s reach. Like Waiyaki, Nyambura is lonely and feels conflicted about the influence of white Christian beliefs in the face of her tribal heritage and customs. Above all, she wants to become a fully formed woman.

Nyambura undergoes drastic change throughout the novel. Her burgeoning womanhood and contentious, taboo love for Waiyaki opens her to feelings of distress and emptiness, leading her to feel distance from Honia, nature, and her old self. Eventually she finds satisfaction in her love for Waiyaki and rebels against her father’s authoritarian control. Mirroring the courage of her sister, she stands up and asserts her love for Waiyaki publicly, unafraid of her father’s retaliation. Although her internal journey is similar to that of Waiyaki, she is less concerned about her role in preserving the tribe; her concerns lie more within the personal and relational sphere. She also views herself as a Christian and remains attracted to the religion’s emphasis on love. She is able to see the kind and loving aspects of Christianity and is guided by her sister’s embrace of Christianity. Her love for Waiyaki is expressed through the lens of Christianity as she deems him a “Black messiah” who will save her soul.

Chege

Chege is Waiyaki’s father, a prominent elder and seer of the village of Kameno. He is often characterized as aloof, standing detached from the villagers despite his commitment to the tribe’s continuity and health. A resilient man, he continuously spreads the word about the threat of European colonialism despite the villagers’ refusal to believe him. His decision to tell Waiyaki about the prophecy—of a savior from Mugo’s lineage preventing destruction at the hands of the Europeans—propels the plot forward, as does his decision to send Waiyaki to Siriana Mission school in order to learn the white settlers’ customs. His desire to see the tribes united influences Waiyaki’s own decisions to seek renewal by fostering communal unity.

Memories of Chege’s distinct bearing and beliefs serve as a reference point for Waiyaki throughout the novel, persuading him to remain loyal to the tribe and to the selfless act of community service. Waiyaki often finds himself befuddled by his father’s character, and at times his father takes on an air of unreality. Chege’s identity as a seer and a spiritual leader renders him emotionally unreachable, even to his own son, and he stands as someone who has transcended the limitations of conventional reality. He is loyal to the tribe despite their disbelief in his warnings, and Waiyaki sees him as a steadfast and self-sacrificing person.

Joshua

Joshua is a villager in Makuyu. As a Christian convert, his religious conviction acts as a foil for Waiyaki’s own indecision and internal torment. Joshua is known for his compelling sermons and intensity. His refusal to accept his daughter Muthoni or to mourn her death showcases his religious zealotry. He closely adheres to the tenets of his new religion and refuses to compromise his ideals on his path to forming a “New Jerusalem.” Joshua is essentially a flat character who exhibits no real growth or change. He refuses to examine the white settlers’ harmful effects on his community and does not question the dominant interpretations of Christianity, discounting his own moments of cognitive dissonance and believing all religious tenets without discernment. He is also a violent, domineering man who is known for beating his wife, and his stubborn refusal to allow his daughters any sense of spiritual autonomy results in deep rifts in his family dynamics.