COLONIALIST ARROGANCE
Governor Rowe, the representative of Her Imperial Majesty, has an air of overbearing dominance. He has little or no regard for the Mende society, her people and leaders. The height of his arrogance is demonstrated when he commands his soldiers to stretch out the chief, Gbanya, for thorough flogging and fined him in addition. Just digest this exchange when Governor Rowe enters Gbanya's palace:
Gbanya: My master, Governor, I welcome you to Senehun. (he moves to embrace Rowe) Don't put those filthy paws on me, you savage! (p. 97)
Rowe: The chief of the chiefdom does not even qualify as a human being before the colonialist, instead of hands, Rowe sees 'paws' and nothing but a savage in his own domain. Perhaps this is part of what Queen Yoko cannot stand ultimately and she commits suicide to save the dignity of her throne and her people.