The characters in “The Gentlemen of the Jungle” symbolize the occupiers of horn Africa, where the British ruled over the east Africans. The lion, as the Jungle’s king, represents the general. On the other hand, the elephant deceived the protagonist and took over his hut, while the Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Alligator, Fox, and Leopard symbolize the jury, which is known for its fairness and reputation for impartiality in justice. According to the text, “… For the members of the commission were all men of repute for their impartiality in justice…” They seem to honor justice but deny the rightful owner of the hut any support. This story depicts how the east Africans were mistreated without being given an opportunity to defend themselves, as the occupiers’ words held supreme power.
The fairy tale highlights the difficulty of achieving peace in a world filled with greedy individuals and the sacrifices often necessary to attain it. In the story, the protagonist selflessly built a hut and welcomed an elephant inside during a rainstorm, only to be thrown out by the elephant. The man did not invite the elephant with the intention of being ejected; rather, he acted out of generosity. Comparable situations have occurred in real life, such as when dominant nations colonize and then expel other countries, while attempting to maintain the appearance of fairness through appointed commissions of enquiry that inevitably favor the superpowers. As expressed in the saying “Ng’enda thi ndagaga motegi,” nothing on Earth is untouchable. “Peace is costly, but it’s worth the expense.” Ultimately, this is the message the man succeeds in demonstrating.
The Gentlemen of the Jungle address various themes such as peace, justice, injustice, friendship, and trust. The lion, who desires “peace and tranquillity” in his kingdom, takes no action apart from instructing his ministers to do something about it. “I command my ministers to appoint a commission of Enquiry to go thoroughly into the matter and report accordingly.” Meanwhile, the man wishes for justice to be served but is disregarded by the ministers. “On seeing the personnel, the man protested and asked if it was not necessary to include a member on his side in the Commission. However, he was informed that it was impossible as nobody from his side possessed the necessary education to comprehend Jungle law intricacies.” They deny him an opportunity, resulting in injustice when the honorable ministers continuously occupy the protagonist’s hut each time he builds a new one.
The man and the elephant were friends, but their friendship was destroyed when the elephant acted unjustly towards the man. The man had tried to help his friend in need. The lion praised the man for befriending the elephant, who held a high position as one of the honorable ministers of state. The man had trust in the lion, the elephant, and the entire commission. He was delighted when he learned that he would have a chance to present his case. However, he was abruptly interrupted and denied an opportunity to speak.
The Gentlemen of the Jungle is a paradox, illustrating that even those who appear sophisticated, like gentlemen in suits, can also possess the same eccentricities as the animals in the jungle. This tale goes beyond mere fiction; it reflects the hidden realities of life. It urges readers to remain impartial until the animals devise an unjust plan against the man. Jomo Kenyatta, the author, experienced his own country’s occupation by foreigners and fought against them. Eventually, East Africans reclaimed their land, demonstrating that perseverance and resilience are necessary to assert oneself. Both the man in the story and Jomo Kenyatta exemplify this strength.
