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Chapter 1
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
The strangers arrive about an hour later. They look pale and unhealthy, and they don’t smile. Amari thinks they smell of danger, but since some neighboring Ashanti warriors accompany the strangers, she’s certain they’ll explain soon. The village throws itself into preparing a formal welcoming ceremony, but Amari still feels uneasy. The chief invites the guests to sit and welcomes them with wine and prayers. After the strangers drink, they offer gifts of sparkling beads, wine, and cloth so fine that Amari is sure humans didn’t weave it. Following this ceremonial exchange of gifts, Amari feels more at ease. They’ll get to business after they celebrate, and she gets excited to hear her father’s stories.
Because Amari has had nothing but good experiences with her village’s approach to being open, welcoming, and generous with newcomers, it’s not hard for her to ignore her growing sense of unease. For that matter, it’s possible that she thinks of her nervousness as a sign of being “uncivilized,” as Mother suggested earlier. Judging these white men for looking odd or not smiling, Amari may conclude, would point to a need for her to rethink her position—not for them to have to change.
Themes
Amari’s father is the chief storyteller; the villagers gather around him while the strangers sit politely. Amari’s father tells the story of wicked Chief Agokoli, who assigned his people impossible jobs. After the story comes the drumming, Amari’s favorite part of any celebration. Besa is the assistant to the village master arts man and she knows that Besa will be excited to show off his skills. As soon as the drumming starts, the villagers begin to dance. Kwasi dances with the children and tries to pull Amari into the dance, but she’d rather peek at Besa.
It’s telling just how important the ritual of storytelling is to Amari and her neighbors. Aside from the drumming—which is likely Amari’s favorite part partially because of Besa—it’s one of the most important and beloved parts of a traditional celebration. This suggests that on the whole, Amari’s village is interested in preserving stories and passing them on to future generations.
Themes
Suddenly, one of the stranger’s “weapon sticks” explodes, and the chief falls over, blood flowing from his chest. Everyone begins to scream in terror and confusion. An Ashanti warrior clubs down a woman and her baby as the woman tries to flee. Amari knows she should run, but she feels stuck. She watches an Ashanti and a stranger murder Father as Mother falls and hits her head on a rock. Kwasi races for Amari, telling her to run, and she finally can. Hand in hand, they plunge into the forest. They hear footsteps behind them, and as they leap over a log, Kwasi moans and falls—there’s a spear stuck through his body. Amari holds him until he dies and doesn’t move until strangers lift her up and shackle her wrists. They march her back to the village and sit her with other survivors.
Seeing an Ashanti murder a woman and her baby makes it clear that something is horrifically wrong. Throughout the novel, babies represent hope and the future—and this Ashanti warrior is heartlessly murdering the future of Amari’s tribe. Though seeing her parents murdered is heartbreaking and traumatizing for Amari, it’s perhaps even worse to see Kwasi murdered. Kwasi, being so young, still embodied innocence and represented the future. Now, tragically, he won’t be able to go on and keep the stories and traditions of his people alive.
Themes
