Describe symbolism in The Martyr by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Indirect references to Christian iconography are central to the symbolic meaning of this story. Ngugi, though he later renounced Christianity, had originally been educated in schools run by missionaries. The influence is apparent in the references to Christian iconography and symbolism in many of his stories. In this story, the "martyr" of the story's title refers to the image of Christ as a martyr. The character of Njoroge is thus symbolically represented as a Christ figure. His decision to save, rather than kill, Mrs. Hill is an act of what could be considered Christian charity. Njoroge's death at the hands of Mrs. Hill thus renders him a martyr to the cause of the Kikuyu struggle against the colonists. The narrator makes clear the symbolic role of Njoroge as a Christ figure in the line stating that Mrs. Hill "did not know that she had in fact killed her savior." The word "savior" to describe Njoroge clearly connects him with the image of Christ as savior.