Remi is initially positioned as a village savior, and it's easy to admire him. He's the first from the village to attend university, an idealist with a vision of a prosperous, independent nation. His passionate advocacy for transcending tribal identity and building a unified future is compelling. "We must help ourselves; build more schools; turn our hearts and minds to create a nation, and the tribe and race will disappear," he declares.

However, Remi's flaws soon become apparent, particularly in his emotional cruelty toward Jane and Thoni. His staggering pride blinds him to the damage he causes. When he finally admits his marriage to Jane, she accuses him of being no better than corrupt politicians who make empty promises. Worse, in his role as the village's "anointed savior," Remi coldly dismisses Thoni and their marriage as part of an outdated tribal custom, shattering her heart in the process.

Remi is more engaged with intellectual theories than emotional realities, and this failure leads to tragedy. Thoni's suicide forces him to confront his reckless pride too late. The old woman who scolds him sums up his moral failure: "What have you done to the hearts of those who looked upon you for guidance?"

The tragedy of The Black Hermit lies in Remi's misreading of Thoni. He dismisses her as someone who married him out of duty, viewing their marriage as a weakness tied to tribal customs he seeks to dismantle. He fails to see Thoni's kindness, vulnerability, and capacity for deep love.

Widowed young and humiliated by Remi's rejection, Thoni only longs for the simplicity of family—a husband and children. Unlike Remi, she defines herself through her relationships, whose ego drives him to hurt those closest to him. Her love for Remi, who can wound her the most, leads her to despair. In her final act, she seeks "the darkness that showed nothing of pain, laughter of suffering."

Thoni's self-destruction is a stark reminder of the consequences when idealistic nation-builders like Remi forget the human lives at the heart of their cause.

Nyobi, Remi's long-suffering mother, finds solace in her Christian faith, which helps her make sense of the tragedies in her life: the death of her eldest son, her husband, Remi's departure, the village drought, and ultimately, Thoni's suicide. Her unwavering belief in God's plan remains unshaken, even when faced with heartbreaking losses. In her greatest sorrow, Thoni's suicide, she simply whispers, "It is the way of God." Nyobi's compassion, rooted in her faith, contrasts with Remi's lack of emotional insight. After Thoni's death, she urges Remi to look beyond tribalism and intellectual ideals, saying, "Search your heart."

Like Thoni, Jane falls in love with a man who prioritizes political ideals over personal connection. She longs for a real relationship with Remi but is met with emotional distance. Despite their physical intimacy, they never truly share their lives. Jane's final plea, "You don't even know yourself," highlights Remi's inability to confront his emotions. When he reveals his marriage at the last minute, she scolds him for his cowardice: "You call yourself a hermit…A hermit looks for truth. You ran away from the truth."

Omange, Remi's longtime friend, serves as a sounding board for debates about the future of their new nation. A committed socialist, Omange fears a return to tribalism and advocates for a workers' paradise. "Let us spit on tradition," he declares, arguing that the nation's strength should come from its people. His vision of a new society contrasts with Remi's struggle between tribal roots and nationalism.

As the village pastor, he acts as Nyobi's spiritual...

The Elder symbolizes the village's enduring tribal identity despite the new nation's independence. He convinces Nyobi to bring Remi back by appealing to superstition, believing Remi's return will end the drought and bring prosperity to the village. His reliance on omens and visions underscores the tension between traditional beliefs and the new political realities.