Professor Miyare was a symbol of professionalism to his colleagues
Professor Miyare had come to the University of Kenya at a time when the lecturers cared more about their side businesses rather than their scholarship. They demanded better housing and benefits which weighed down the budget of the university. He was however different from his colleagues for he concentrated more on the work that he was doing on the heart transplant. The professor was successful in his work because of his dedication. This made the other professors view him with dignity and as what they should aspire to be. They therefore resumed concentration on their fields rather than business from his inspiration.
Professor Miyare was a symbol of professionalism to his colleagues
Professor Miyare had come to the University of Kenya at a time when the lecturers cared more about their side businesses rather than their scholarship. They demanded better housing and benefits which weighed down the budget of the university. He was however different from his colleagues for he concentrated more on the work that he was doing on the heart transplant. The professor was successful in his work because of his dedication. This made the other professors view him with dignity and as what they should aspire to be. They therefore resumed concentration on their fields rather than business from his inspiration.
The Electric Train symbolized Minya’s Past Illness
In the story ‘The Real Electric Train’ the train that Dr. Jasinda had given Minya to encourage him to get better was a symbol of the dark time when Minya was gravely ill. The train was what Yambo and his wife looked at and remembered the moment that their son had almost died from a severe illness. Dr. Jasinda had come and saved the boy when all hope had been lost. As a token of the achievement, he had given the boy the toy electric train to encourage him to get better everyday. Minya had then promised to buy the doctor a real electric train as a token of appreciation.
The Sun was a symbol of deity to Nyamgodho
In the story,’ The Fisherman’, Nyamgodho looked to the sun and the open sky every morning while he said his prayers. The sun symbolized his ancestors and when the sun shone brightly, he assumed that they were pleased with him. Nyamgodho always sought to appease them and beg them for a good catch everyday before he began the day’s work.
Men were a symbol of safety in African Society
In African society, one of the roles of men is to protect their families from any attack. Therefore the presence of a male member of the family in the home was assurance of protection. In the story, ‘ Pay Day’ Awino was attacked by thieves because she lived with her niece and no male figure. She was therefore considered vulnerable for she could not protect herself. Awino longed for her husband Jerry who would have made sure that they would not be attacked.
Wealth was a symbol of success and leadership in African society
Wealthy people in African society in the short stories were treated with so much respect and considered for public office regardless of how they had obtained their wealth. When Nyamgodho was poor, he was despised by the villagers and he did not have any authority whatsoever. However, when the medicine woman Wagai came and miraculously brought with her a large herd of cattle that made Nyamgodho instantly wealthy, his status in the society rose very fast and he was considered for the title the leader of the community.
