A Grain of Wheat

by

Ngugi wa Thiong’o

The Train / The Iron Snake Symbol Analysis

The Train / The Iron Snake Symbol Icon

The train represents British progress and technology as the empire establishes its colony in Kenya, and more specifically represents how that technology is perceived by the Gikuyu people. Physically, the train is a technological marvel to the Gikuyu, as well as the machine that brings both soldiers and administrators. On first sighting, the Gikuyu are terrified of the train, calling it the “iron snake” and envisioning it as an actual monster “wriggling its way toward Nairobi for a thorough exploitation of the hinterland.” As the people grow accustomed to the presence of the British, before the Emergency, the train becomes a point of interest to the Gikuyu, and Thabai’s train platform even becomes a social center where the young people gather each day to watch it pass by.

However, as the spirit of revolution grows among the Gikuyu and war looms, the young people cease going to the train platform, and the train itself becomes a symbol of colonial power. Kihika recognizes that the British are dependent on their train, and if it could be destroyed they would be crippled. Karanja, likewise, has visions of the Gikuyu fleeing before the train—and thus the might of the British—until they are silenced, seeing it as a symbol of white power to crush and destroy. Karanja aligns himself with the British and the power of the train, though he suffers for his choice. After the British leave and Kenya regains its independence, Karanja exiles himself. In his final scene, he stands in the night and watches as the train leaves without him, sinking him into silence and darkness, symbolizing the last vestiges of his power departing, leaving him behind with nothing at all and no one to turn to.

The Train / The Iron Snake Quotes in A Grain of Wheat

The A Grain of Wheat quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Train / The Iron Snake. 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:
Colonialism Theme Icon
).
Chapter 2 Quotes

They looked beyond the laughing face of the whiteman and suddenly saw a long line of other red strangers who carried not the Bible, but the sword. […] The iron snake […] was quickly wriggling towards Nairobi for a thorough exploitation of the hinterland.

Related Symbols: The Train / The Iron Snake
Page Number: 11-12
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

“I would hate to see a train run over my mother or father, or brothers. Oh, what would I do?” [Mumbi] quickly exclaimed.

“Women are cowards.” Karanja said half in joke.

“Would you like a train to run over you?” Mumbi retorted angrily. Karanja felt the anger and did not answer.

Related Characters: Karanja (speaker), Mumbi (speaker), Kihika
Related Symbols: The Train / The Iron Snake
Page Number: 87
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Train / The Iron Snake Symbol Timeline in A Grain of Wheat

The timeline below shows where the symbol The Train / The Iron Snake appears in A Grain of Wheat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Colonialism Theme Icon
Christianity Theme Icon
...elders protest, other strangers have arrived carrying “not the Bible, but the sword.” The “ iron snake ” that was foretold in visions stretches itself across the ground, “wriggling towards Nairobi for... (full context)
Chapter 4
Colonialism Theme Icon
...drew the plans for a forestry research station in Githima. The officer is killed by the train , but the research station is completed and filled with European scientists and administrators. Years... (full context)
Chapter 7
Colonialism Theme Icon
...from Nairobi, and young people from all over meeting on the railway platform to watch the train go by. When the iron snake was first built, the Gikuyu supposedly fled for a... (full context)
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
Gender and Power Theme Icon
...if it is willing to sacrifice, which he visualizes as throwing oneself in front of the train . When Mumbi remarks that she would not like to see her family run over... (full context)
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
Gender and Power Theme Icon
...who are both in love with Kihika. As they do, everyone hears the rumble of the train in the distance and realizes they are late. The whole group goes running after it.... (full context)
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
At the train station, Karanja is disappointed, realizing that it is “dull” without Mumbi there. He realizes that... (full context)
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
...young people of Thabai no longer dance in the woods; people stop going to meet the train . (full context)
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
Gender and Power Theme Icon
...whiteman defeated. In the village, the young women “pine for their lovers behind cold huts.” The train platform is empty. (full context)
Chapter 9
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
...months with many Freedom Fighters captured in the forest. Suddenly, they are all loaded onto the train and deposited at a much larger camp, where they wait in lines to be subdivided... (full context)
Karanja
Colonialism Theme Icon
The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon
Guilt and Redemption Theme Icon
...that he is a courageous man. Standing near the railway, the lights and screeching  of the train approach Karanja approach him and rush past, the wind knocking him backwards. He is left... (full context)