We were tortured to reveal where our men were but we would not give in. We looked at the soil that our forefathers had fought for and weighted this against the reward that the mzungu would give us if we betray our men; our own brothers and fathers.
These words show the deep devotion that the woman who said them had to the liberation of the country from the colonial master. They bring about the theme of the fight for independence in Kenya since the story has been set immediately after Kenya had gained independence.
It is always the woman who has to toe to the line.
These words are said by Ana as advice to her friend Jedidah whose marriage had hit a rough patch. The words bring about the theme of the plight of women in a patriarchal society for Jedidah was advised to leave work so that she could concentrate more on her marriage. Her husband was pressuring her to leave her job and to perform house chores.
Education has brought luxury to every home, and filled empty bellies with food. But what about me? What has your education earned me except laughter and scorn...I will not leave here before you tell me exactly when you are coming home to lay the foundation of your house.
The professor's father utters these words to his son in order to convince him to go back home and build a home for his family. This was in accordance to the culture of the Kalonya people that required a grown man to build a home in his village as a sign of wealth. The professor had failed to do this and as a result, his family was scorned for ignoring tradition.
I am deeply conscious of our traditions
The professor says these words to his colleagues when they ask him to give a speech in light of his successful heart transplant surgery. He does not want to give the speech because his tradition considers it bad luck when a person delivers a speech after a great achievement in life.
I can't be what I am not
Jared says these words to his wife June when she tried to convince him to abandon teaching and for politics . June wants her husband to join politics so that he can earn a larger salary that he does at the moment. She is not satisfied with their current financial state for she is competing with her half sister whose husband is a minister.
