Devil on the Cross

The protagonist of Devil on the Cross, first introduced by the narrator The Gĩcaandĩ Player, is a young woman named Jacinta Warĩĩnga. At the outset, Warĩĩnga is portrayed as deeply insecure about her appearance, particularly her dark skin. She uses skin-lightening creams and straightens her hair, reflecting internalized colonial beauty standards. Her vulnerability is further emphasized by her experiences of sexual exploitation, first by the Rich Old Man and later by her employer, Boss Kihara. Warĩĩnga is characterized as a woman tormented by her past and struggling with suicidal thoughts. However, as the novel progresses, Warĩĩnga’s character undergoes a remarkable transformation. She sheds her insecurities and embraces her natural beauty, no longer relying on skin-lightening creams. This physical change mirrors her inner development, as she becomes more confident and self-assured.

Warĩĩnga’s career shift from secretary to mechanical engineer represents her rejection of traditional gender roles and her determination to forge her own path. Another significant aspect of Warĩĩnga’s character development is her growing political consciousness. From a passive observer of the events at the Devil’s Feast, she evolves into an active participant in the struggle against exploitation. This is powerfully illustrated in the novel’s climax, where she confronts and shoots the Rich Old Man and other exploiters, rejecting the systems of oppression they represent.