“The Trial of Dedan Kimathi” is a realist
play written by Micere Githae Mugo and Ngugi Wa Thiong’o in 1976. The play
written in response to colonialist writing shows the divisive mechanizations of
the imperialist power. The title of the play highlights key aspects of the
play, the trial of Kimathi and the progress of Mau-Mau rebellion movement and
its contribution in the freedom of Kenya from imperialism.
Dedan Kimathi was a legendary hero of
Mau-Mau liberation movement against British rule in Kenya and their cultural,
political and economic aspirations. The mission of Dedan Kimathi is to recover
the lost identities of self-respect of Kenya- their proud heritage. He is the
hope of freedom in the play and stands as the representative of the Kenyan
peasantry and masses. Pratibha Nagpal in her critical analysis says “the play
wishes to depict the heroic struggle of the African people. The play is written
in three movements that symbolically merge past, present and future. The play
opens and ends with the trial of Dedan Kimathi”
The play consists of four trials
which are centered on Dedan Kimathi. The first trial is when Dedan Kimathi is
captured by British officers and is assured that there will be “fair” trial but
it is ironical since the trial is anything but fair towards Dedan Kimathi. The blacks
are mimed in the background. The trial will only ensure that the colonizers get
their way and keep on ruling, the only purpose of the trial is to torture and
tempt Dedan Kimathi into surrendering and revealing names of fellow
revolutionists. The four trials are under the second movement which focusses
inside the courtroom and on the divide between whites and blacks.
The first trial is an encounter
between Shaw Henderson and Dedan Kimathi. He tells him that if he pleads for
his life he will be spared. Dedan Kimathi rejects it and names his comrades who
have gone to the British’s side. He reaffirms his faith in revolution and
promises to have a vision of free Kenya. In the second trial a delegation of people
meet Dedan Kimathi. The banker says economic development in Kenya has taken
place because of colonialism. He also stresses that armed resistance ruins
economic progress. It becomes visible to the reader that people who build the
country will be enslaved while the master will harvest. In the third trial a
politician, priest and businessman come to tempt Dedan Kimathi. Dedan Kimathi is
caught in the dilemma of pain and fear. He is confused between accepting the
master’s offer to save his own life and fulfillment of freedom dreams. This time
an African businessman is spokesperson and he says that he was also was part of
black man’s dream at one point of time and that Dedan Kimathi has won the war
because there is no more racism and color bar in administration, business,
public places, loans and acquisition of land. The reader knows that inspite of
all this, the natives have not got any political freedom and only regional
freedom is given. Dedan Kimathi rejects politicians offer and ridicules him for
giving regional freedom when the collaborators are the reason for British’s
control on the native land. The priest then says he will Africanize the church
but Dedan Kimathi calls him a betrayer of true faith. The priest is removed
from native reality; he is equivalent to the settlers and is unworthy of being
called child of God. The fourth trial
again includes Shaw Henderson, he asks him to tell the whereabouts of Mathenge.
He is brutally beaten and tortured in chamber. Dedan Kimathi is more in pain in
mental terms rather than physical pain. He realizes there are traitors among
his own people. He knows the will of natives is stronger than his temptations
and tortures.
Dilip K Basu in his essay says “in
the four trial and two movements, the doings of imperialists and their agents
are exposed through speech and action. Kimathi is shown upholding the charge
brought against imperialism by injured, exploited and humiliated of the country”.
Shaw Henderson becomes both attorney and judge; he turns the table against the
enemy. Kimathi is on trial in a sense he has to pass a test; the test is to see
whether Kimathi will save Kenya’s freedom. Every offer made to Dedan Kimathi is
actually made to Kenya and Kenyan people. The torture in fourth trial is
torture to all the Kenyan people. Play does not allow you to forget the
connection between Dedan Kimathi and Kenya. Dedan Kimathi does not die in the
play because Kenya’s struggle did not die. The people of streets come to court
to make liberation possible.
The trials are spiritual and
judicial, real and metaphorical trial also happen. The four trials question the
basis of large economic political-social systems with a call to overthrow the
whole system. The trial scenes have religious echoes- the trials remind reader
of Christ’s temptation in wilderness for forty days by Satan known as Lent. The
vision in play is of a better Kenya that’s used to tempt Kimathi but Kimathi
saw through imperialist’s intentions. Chidi Amuta says that Dedan Kimathi is
not the one on trial but imperialism is. Doings of imperialists are exposed
through the agents of imperialism. Trial of Dedan Kimathi is also people’s
trial- all workers and peasants are exploited by imperialists. Every offer made
to Dedan Kimathi is indirectly made to the people of Kenya. Torture on Dedan
Kimathi is torture inflicted upon the people of Kenya. It brings in focus the
point that the people of Kenya are on trial as Dedan Kimathi.
The trial of Dedan Kimathi is contrasted
with the trial of Mau-Mau traitors and imperialist soldiers which happens at guerilla
camp in Nyandarua forest. Kimathi acts as a judge in the guerilla camp in a
trial of traitors and deserters. Weakness of Dedan Kimathi is that he is “too
human” sometimes. Everyone gets listened unlike the colonial court. Two images
of mother are seen to be in opposition- Kimathi’s mother pulls him backward
while the woman propels him into a positive forward thinking. Dedan Kimathi can’t
stand Africans killing each other; he will never go against his own comrades.
The key words ‘trial’ and ‘Dedan Kimathi’
in the title of the play are emphasized here. The opening scene is of a trial
which is centered on Kimathi. The play is focused on the freedom of Kenya and
how Dedan Kimathi is an important part of it. There are many trials in the play
which further emphasize on the aptness of the title. There are trials of Dedan
Kimathi as the title suggests but imperialism and its agents are equally being questioned
in the play. The title of the play rightly fits as the play is about Dedan
Kimathi who is being held in court.
Deepali Yadav
Please like, comment and
share. Your valuable suggestions are always welcome. Happy readingJ
Discuss
the title of the play “The Trial of Dedan Kimathi”
“The Trial of Dedan Kimathi” is a realist
play written by Micere Githae Mugo and Ngugi Wa Thiong’o in 1976. The play
written in response to colonialist writing shows the divisive mechanizations of
the imperialist power. The title of the play highlights key aspects of the
play, the trial of Kimathi and the progress of Mau-Mau rebellion movement and
its contribution in the freedom of Kenya from imperialism.
Dedan Kimathi was a legendary hero of
Mau-Mau liberation movement against British rule in Kenya and their cultural,
political and economic aspirations. The mission of Dedan Kimathi is to recover
the lost identities of self-respect of Kenya- their proud heritage. He is the
hope of freedom in the play and stands as the representative of the Kenyan
peasantry and masses. Pratibha Nagpal in her critical analysis says “the play
wishes to depict the heroic struggle of the African people. The play is written
in three movements that symbolically merge past, present and future. The play
opens and ends with the trial of Dedan Kimathi”
The play consists of four trials
which are centered on Dedan Kimathi. The first trial is when Dedan Kimathi is
captured by British officers and is assured that there will be “fair” trial but
it is ironical since the trial is anything but fair towards Dedan Kimathi. The blacks
are mimed in the background. The trial will only ensure that the colonizers get
their way and keep on ruling, the only purpose of the trial is to torture and
tempt Dedan Kimathi into surrendering and revealing names of fellow
revolutionists. The four trials are under the second movement which focusses
inside the courtroom and on the divide between whites and blacks.
The first trial is an encounter
between Shaw Henderson and Dedan Kimathi. He tells him that if he pleads for
his life he will be spared. Dedan Kimathi rejects it and names his comrades who
have gone to the British’s side. He reaffirms his faith in revolution and
promises to have a vision of free Kenya. In the second trial a delegation of people
meet Dedan Kimathi. The banker says economic development in Kenya has taken
place because of colonialism. He also stresses that armed resistance ruins
economic progress. It becomes visible to the reader that people who build the
country will be enslaved while the master will harvest. In the third trial a
politician, priest and businessman come to tempt Dedan Kimathi. Dedan Kimathi is
caught in the dilemma of pain and fear. He is confused between accepting the
master’s offer to save his own life and fulfillment of freedom dreams. This time
an African businessman is spokesperson and he says that he was also was part of
black man’s dream at one point of time and that Dedan Kimathi has won the war
because there is no more racism and color bar in administration, business,
public places, loans and acquisition of land. The reader knows that inspite of
all this, the natives have not got any political freedom and only regional
freedom is given. Dedan Kimathi rejects politicians offer and ridicules him for
giving regional freedom when the collaborators are the reason for British’s
control on the native land. The priest then says he will Africanize the church
but Dedan Kimathi calls him a betrayer of true faith. The priest is removed
from native reality; he is equivalent to the settlers and is unworthy of being
called child of God. The fourth trial
again includes Shaw Henderson, he asks him to tell the whereabouts of Mathenge.
He is brutally beaten and tortured in chamber. Dedan Kimathi is more in pain in
mental terms rather than physical pain. He realizes there are traitors among
his own people. He knows the will of natives is stronger than his temptations
and tortures.
Dilip K Basu in his essay says “in
the four trial and two movements, the doings of imperialists and their agents
are exposed through speech and action. Kimathi is shown upholding the charge
brought against imperialism by injured, exploited and humiliated of the country”.
Shaw Henderson becomes both attorney and judge; he turns the table against the
enemy. Kimathi is on trial in a sense he has to pass a test; the test is to see
whether Kimathi will save Kenya’s freedom. Every offer made to Dedan Kimathi is
actually made to Kenya and Kenyan people. The torture in fourth trial is
torture to all the Kenyan people. Play does not allow you to forget the
connection between Dedan Kimathi and Kenya. Dedan Kimathi does not die in the
play because Kenya’s struggle did not die. The people of streets come to court
to make liberation possible.
The trials are spiritual and
judicial, real and metaphorical trial also happen. The four trials question the
basis of large economic political-social systems with a call to overthrow the
whole system. The trial scenes have religious echoes- the trials remind reader
of Christ’s temptation in wilderness for forty days by Satan known as Lent. The
vision in play is of a better Kenya that’s used to tempt Kimathi but Kimathi
saw through imperialist’s intentions. Chidi Amuta says that Dedan Kimathi is
not the one on trial but imperialism is. Doings of imperialists are exposed
through the agents of imperialism. Trial of Dedan Kimathi is also people’s
trial- all workers and peasants are exploited by imperialists. Every offer made
to Dedan Kimathi is indirectly made to the people of Kenya. Torture on Dedan
Kimathi is torture inflicted upon the people of Kenya. It brings in focus the
point that the people of Kenya are on trial as Dedan Kimathi.
The trial of Dedan Kimathi is contrasted
with the trial of Mau-Mau traitors and imperialist soldiers which happens at guerilla
camp in Nyandarua forest. Kimathi acts as a judge in the guerilla camp in a
trial of traitors and deserters. Weakness of Dedan Kimathi is that he is “too
human” sometimes. Everyone gets listened unlike the colonial court. Two images
of mother are seen to be in opposition- Kimathi’s mother pulls him backward
while the woman propels him into a positive forward thinking. Dedan Kimathi can’t
stand Africans killing each other; he will never go against his own comrades.
The key words ‘trial’ and ‘Dedan Kimathi’
in the title of the play are emphasized here. The opening scene is of a trial
which is centered on Kimathi. The play is focused on the freedom of Kenya and
how Dedan Kimathi is an important part of it. There are many trials in the play
which further emphasize on the aptness of the title. There are trials of Dedan
Kimathi as the title suggests but imperialism and its agents are equally being questioned
in the play. The title of the play rightly fits as the play is about Dedan
Kimathi who is being held in court.
Deepali Yadav
Please like, comment and
share. Your valuable suggestions are always welcome. Happy readingJ
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