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Chapter Sixty-Seven
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Children of Blood and Bone, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Prejudice and Inequality
Duty to Family vs. Self
Faith and Tradition
Cycles of Violence
Summary
Analysis
The fortress is heavily patrolled by guards. Amari, Tzain, and Tzain’s friends from the bar dash towards the walls. After touching the scroll, three of them gained abilities they can use to fight. One uses the ability to manipulate metal to create an opening in the fortress wall and then close it behind them before any guards see.
Amari has convinced the new maji that they must use their magic to fight back, which is ultimately the only way to fight the cycle of violence and oppression that Saran has inflicted upon the kingdom.
Themes
The group has breached the armory. When a guard enters, Amari presses a blade to his neck and gets him to say where Zélie’s cell is. She feels surprised by the venom in her voice; it reminds her only of her father, Saran.
Amari has learned how and when to use the threat of violence when it is necessary, in order to help herself and her friends do what is right. Still, she feels some ambivalence, both because she dislikes violence and because it is a link to her father.
Themes
An explosion echoes from elsewhere in the fortress, drawing the guards. The other divîners from the bar, wanting to help the cause, created makeshift explosives to use as a distraction. Using their various powers in concert, the various maji in the group fight their way through the guards who remain in the hall. Amari surges forward, thinking of how close Zélie is.
The team of divîners working together provides a glimpse of what society might be like if divîners were allowed to flourish and practice their traditions. They could use their different skills to work together and help one another, and not just for violence as Saran contends. Of course, there are also times when the use of magic for violence is necessary.
Themes
Suddenly, Saran appears, flanked with guards. He is enraged when he sees Amari. But for the first time, she feels strength and bravery. She feels unafraid to use her sword if need be. She feels a righteous anger, thinking of Binta and all the other maji who have suffered and died because of this man. She prepares to strike, but Tzain’s voice calls her back to attention. He reminds her that they need to go. Amari turns her attention back to finding Zélie.
Amari is ready to fight, but her intentions set her apart from her father. Unlike him, she fights for what is right, and she is not afraid to hurt even her own father if it means protecting her friends and their cause. Amari realizes that violence in the name of fighting an oppressor is justified, which is entirely different from her father’s use of violence to demand fear and obedience.
Themes
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