A recurring theme in Ngugi's work is the influence of colonialism and post-colonialism on African communities. "The Martyr" unfolds during a time of uprising by Africans working on plantations against their European masters. Through the characters of Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Smiles, and Mrs. Hill, the narrator explores the prevailing attitudes of the "settlers," or colonizers, toward the African laborers. Mrs. Hardy is the most outspoken in her racist beliefs, viewing Africans as "savages" with no potential for becoming "civilized." In the story's concluding lines, both Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Smiles concur that "all of them should be whipped." In contrast, Mrs. Hill claims to hold "liberal" views about her African staff. She prides herself on her perceived generosity and adopts a patronizing approach of patience. Njoroge, an African man employed as Mrs. Hill's "houseboy," provides an African viewpoint on the European colonists. Njoroge is frustrated by Mrs. Hill's "smug liberalism" and her "paternalism" toward him. Although he is described as "nearing middle age," Mrs. Hill still calls him "boy." Furthermore, the brick huts she considers to be generous accommodations are viewed by Njoroge as inadequate for his family's needs. The backdrop of violent revolt in the story is justified by the harsh oppression imposed by European plantation owners on their African workers.

Ngugi's narrative unfolds partially through gossip, hearsay, and media reports, which collectively influence the public perceptions of the white European colonial settlers. The story begins with the supposed murder of Mr. and Mrs. Garstone by their "houseboy," setting the stage for the unfolding plot. It starts with an ostensibly factual statement in a journalistic tone: "When Mr. and Mrs. Garstone were murdered in their home by unknown gangsters. . ." However, in the same breath, the narrator notes, "there was a lot of talk about it," indicating that the "facts" of the event, as reported, are shaped by public opinion and gossip. The narrator further states, "It was all on the front pages of the daily papers and figured importantly in the Radio Newsreel," suggesting that the alleged murder of the European couple becomes a media spectacle, regardless of the truthfulness of the reports. The narrative also illustrates how this news spreads through hearsay and rumor: "The violence was said to have political motives. And wherever you went, in the marketplaces, in the Indian bazaars, in a remote African duka, you were bound to hear something about the murder." It's crucial to observe that the narrator maintains a neutral stance, refraining from confirming any facts about the incident; instead, he relays the public opinion itself. This introduction is essential for understanding the media event that unfolds later in the story—the killing of Njoroge by Mrs. Hill. The narrator describes Njoroge's death similarly, through media coverage and the opinions of the European public: "On the following day, it was all in the papers. That a single woman could fight a gang of fifty strong was bravery unknown. And to think she had killed one too!" The Europeans' highly inaccurate and distorted view of the incident serves as a critique of public opinion, particularly emphasizing the demonization of Africans in the prevailing attitudes of European colonists.