Copper Sun: Chapter 32 Summary & Analysis

Amari, Polly, and Tidbit move into the woods until Polly suggests they stop. Amari feels at home in the dense green woods. They sit to catch their breath, and Amari tells Polly and Tidbit that her name is Amari, not Myna anymore. Polly frowns and says she’s used to Myna, but Amari remains firm, and Polly relents. Tidbit says he wants his mother, but Amari tells him he’ll be free and make Teenie proud. Polly asks where the river is and wonders how they’ll get to the North if they can’t find it. Amari knows exactly where the river is and says they’re going south, like Cato said. Polly argues and insists that Amari will always be a slave if they go south, but Amari refuses to give in. Amari says that Polly can go north alone, though she hopes Polly will stay with her.

Amari knows that Polly could easily make it alone, as a white girl, but Polly says that they need each other. Before Amari can reply, they hear someone approaching: It’s Hushpuppy. He rushes to Tidbit. Smiling, Polly asks if Amari really believes Fort Mose is real. Amari says she is and points out that patrols are looking for them if they go north. She says that spirits will lead them, and though Polly doesn’t believe in spirits, she agrees to come. They silently walk for the rest of the afternoon. Amari relaxes for the first time in a long time. At dusk, Amari says that they’ll follow the river overnight. Tidbit whines and sits down, so Amari agrees that they can rest for a bit.

The girls can hear people on the river and slaves singing in the rice fields. Amari whispers to Polly that they must leave the river, like Cato said. Polly shakes her head, but after a short nap, they wake Tidbit and march south. Amari looks to the stars. She wonders if they’re the same stars she remembers from home.