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The Train / The Iron Snake
The oath, once referred to as the “Oath of Unity,” is a pledge to fight and die for Kenya’s freedom and support the Mau Mau fighters. Although there is nothing binding about the oath, keeping it—by never confessing to the British that one has taken it—becomes a mark of patriotism and commitment to the Movement. Especially for men in the detention camps, keeping the oath represents their sustained devotion to their national cause, while confessing the oath—as Gikonyo does, hoping that it will result in a lighter sentence—is a mark of cowardice, representing a betrayal of one’s people for the sake of selfish gains.
Although the oath is taken very seriously, Kihika reveals to Mugo that it is ultimately meaningless, a mere symbol that reflects the bravery or cowardice that is already in one’s heart. Thus, he is not bothered by the fact that Mugo has never taken the oath, saying it holds no true power but is merely a token, like “water sprinkled on the head” during a baptism. Even so, Gikonyo’s confession of the oath represents the greatest betrayal of his country in his mind and becomes an enduring source of shame.
The Oath Quotes in A Grain of Wheat
The A Grain of Wheat quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Oath. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 7
Quotes
In Kenya we want deaths which will change things, that is to say, we want true sacrifice. But first we have to be ready to carry the cross. I die for you, you die for me, we become a sacrifice for one another. So I can say that you, Karanja, are Christ. Everybody who takes the Oath of Unity to change things in Kenya is a Christ.
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Chapter 13
Quotes
“But what is an oath? For some people, you need the oath to bind them to the Movement. There are those who’ll keep a secret unless bound by an oath. I know them […] In any case how many took the oath and are now licking the toes of the whiteman? No, you take an oath to confirm a choice already made. The decision to lay or not to lay your life on the line for the people lies in the heart. The oath is water sprinkled on a man’s head at baptism.”
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Harambee
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Courage had failed [Gikonyo], he had confessed the oath in spite of his vows to the contrary. What difference was there between him and Karanja or Mugo who had openly betrayed people and worked with the whiteman to save themselves? Mugo had the courage to face his guilt and lose everything. Gikonyo shuddered at the thought of losing everything.
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The Oath Symbol Timeline in A Grain of Wheat
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Oath appears in A Grain of Wheat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
...before someone with a “great heart” such as Mugo. Unlike Mugo, Gikonyo says, he confessed the oath while in detention, hoping he would be sent home. Mugo understands this, since Gikonyo has...
(full context)
Chapter 7
...Kenya needs sacrifices that will incite change and revolution; thus any person who takes up the “Oath of Unity ” is a Christ figure, whether that be Kihika or Karanja or anyone else willing...
(full context)
...for strength. The prisoners are strong for the first few months, swearing never to confess the oath or reveal details about the Mau Mau fighters, but after learning that Jomo Kenyatta’s appeal...
(full context)
The other prisoners maintain their commitment to never confess the oath and a man named Gatu becomes their “good spirit.” Gatu tells his fellows inspirational stories...
(full context)
Chapter 8
...manhood, his faith in himself, and accentuate his shame at being the first to confess the oath in [his detention] camp.”
(full context)
Chapter 9
...of Thabai—which Thompson twice served as District Officer of—but will not confess to taking any oaths, since he truly never took any. Mugo is “indifferent to his fate,” assuming that he...
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Chapter 12
...out and stop the hand striking her. He was quickly arrested and accused of taking the oath , and sent to various detention camps soon after. All these feelings and reflections unnerve...
(full context)
Chapter 13
...he does not have the strength to protest beyond saying that he has never taken the oath . Kihika responds that the oath itself is meaningless, merely a symbol to bind weak...
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Harambee
...wondering if he will ever have the strength to tell his village that he confessed the oath . He finds himself wishing to speak to Mumbi about all of it, wishing to...
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