Evaluate the merits of a specific film or book

Evaluate the merit of the book, The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong’oStudent’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Introduction
The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong’o is fairy-tale of a society that is facing a myriad of hiccups. The challenges as depicted by the authors can be compared to a natural dilemma. There is one central character known as Waiyaki, who is an archetypal African on the inception of Christianity and missionary teaching in the continent (Ahmed, 2014). Waiyaki is quick to accept the teaching that makes him be depicted as an outcast by the society. The elders are not happy with his new ways and are set to destroy him plus other people who have joined the new faith which is Christianity.
Thesis statement
Waiyaki should be punished for pursuing the missionary teaching at the expense of the traditional teaching, as he had contravened the rules of the Kiama that are meant to safeguard the community against their enemies.
Body
The tale talks about the inception of missionary teaching in Africa. There were both good and bad consequences of their arrival in Africa. In this story, the missionary has brought education to the African nations. That has brought civilization in the aforementioned society. Nevertheless, as long prophesied by a Gikuyu seer called Mugo wa Kabiro, the white men would take the land belonging to the community and make them servants (Thiong’o, 2015). The prophecy came to pass after the white men started a scramble for African countries. Waiyaki having full knowledge of the prophecy and having been severally warned by the elders decided to go against them.

There was also the death of Muthoni, a young lady who had been circumcised against his father’s will.
Criteria
The criteria used to evaluate the topic and pass judgment on the ethical part. It is also based on the authority of Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a prolific writer who have authored reputable books in this field such as Petals of Blood. The thesis statement suggests that Waiyaki be thoroughly punished by the elders for exposing the community against their enemies. The argument should be advocated due to the gravity and repercussions brought by Waiyaki’s act. By following the missionary teaching, Waiyaki made the society lose their land to the white man. The action also brought the colonization of Africans.
According to Thiong’o, N. W. (2015), it also led to the corroding and washing away of African culture as seen when Muthoni attempts circumcision only to die. That was after her father Joshua had proclaimed the Christian faith and had abolished in his homestead the traditional rituals. Muthoni ran away to her aunty home and died days after getting circumcised without the consent and blessing of her father (Goodreads, 2015). The worst of all offenses was breaking of the oath that Waiyaki had taken to protect and safeguard the secret of the Kiama. He had now infected the tribe with contamination and to reveal the secret of the tribe to the missionary.
Conclusion
The tribulations that accrued to the society out of Waiyaki and other betrayers are grave. Worse of it all is that they had been severally warned, but they had turned a deaf ear. The society lost their land and was not consulted on the running of the two ridges; Kameno and Makuyu. The erosion of culture by the people is also a severe mistake. It led to the death of Muthoni which was seen as a bad omen and a warning to the society. Lastly, revealing of the tribes secrets to foreigners is seen as a momentous mistake. Therefore, Waiyaki ought to be punished severely by the Kiama so that it safeguards the community against their enemies.

ReferencesAhmed, N. B. (2014). Treatment of Colonization by Ngugi Wa Thiongo in Novel The River Between. European Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 2(3), 59-66.
Thiong’o, N. W. (2015). The River Between: Heinemann educational publishers (Pty) Johannesburg, s. Africa.
Goodreads, (2015). The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong’o: Summary & Study Guide. Goodreads. Retrieved 15 October 2015, from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10453941-the-river-between-by-ngugi-wa-thiong-o-summary-study-guide