preview

The Conflict Caused By European Settlement

Decent Essays

The novel The River Between focuses on the conflict caused by European settlement in the two ridges of Kenya, Makuyu and Kameno. It also explores the impacts of colonialism and the outcomes of struggling for independence. There are many social struggles and changes in a community during this time. Some major social impacts include: mix of beliefs and religions, the impact of European judgment on female circumcision, and gender roles.

This novel quickly presents the idea of division as an outcome of European settlement. As the characters are introduced, we can understand the way colonialism has resulted in a mix of beliefs and religions. In the Kameno ridge, the tribe symbolizes the continuation of ancestral traditions and in the Makuyu ridge the inhabitants have converted to the ways of the European settlers. Through the main character Waiyaki, it is clear to capture the feeling of confusion in these two worlds. Waiyaki seems to dwell in both the ancestral ways of tradition and the new world religion that has awaken because of colonialism. Waiyaki’s father Chege guides him to appreciate and respect his heritage, for when he is sent to the missionaries to learn the ways of the white man, he gains the knowledge without turning his back on old traditions. Although he essentially remains faithful to his tribe, he becomes a mix of both worlds. As an adult, he tries to understand different viewpoints and risks being rejected by both worlds. Waiyaki joined the Kiama, a

Get Access