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Chapter 10
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Copper Sun, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance
Horror vs. Beauty
Friendship
Memory and Storytelling
Gender, Race, and Power
Summary
Analysis
If Amari listens carefully, she can understand some of the sailors’ conversation as they scurry about repairing the damage done to the ship. She also learns that they’re headed someplace called Carolina, and Afi says that’s where Amari’s destiny is. Amari questioningly says that Afi’s destiny is there too, but Afi stares into space. Over the next few days, the sailors give the slaves more food and allow the men on deck for longer periods of time. The ship’s doctor checks each slave, and the sailors aren’t allowed to rape the women at night. One day, Amari asks what will happen in the new land. Afi says that they’ll be sold, possibly many times. It’ll probably have a sun, the moon, and trees, but it will be very different. Both women admit they’re afraid. Amari hears Bill shout, “Land ho!” She’s terrified.
Now that the slaves are getting close to being sold again, they’re treated somewhat better. This drives home for the slaves and for readers that to the white men in charge of the ship, the slaves are only goods—not people. Afi’s unwillingness to talk about her own destiny implies that at this point, she may only be living for Amari’s sake—and if she and Amari are separated in the Carolinas, Afi might not have any more reasons to live. However, by giving Amari the strength to live, Afi will still ensure that Amari will tell her story to future generations and keep her memory alive.
Themes
