Copper Sun: Chapter 33 Summary & Analysis

When morning comes, Amari is unwilling to admit how tired she is. She’s glad when Polly suggests they rest. They find a place between three fallen trees and try to sleep, but the mosquitos and ants bite incessantly. Near dusk, they collect water from the river, and Amari announces that they’ve spent one day free. Tidbit asks how far away freedom is and then asks Polly what freedom is. Polly pulls a leaf off an oak tree and says it’s delicate, like a leaf in the air. Freedom is hard to catch and might not live up to expectations. Amari doesn’t entirely understand what Polly says, but she catches her meaning. Tidbit does not. He says he wants Teenie and cries when Amari suggests that Teenie would be proud of him. Polly says that to protect Hushpuppy, he has to stay quiet. They move on.

By the fifth day, Polly, Amari, and Tidbit are exhausted. Amari suffers from dizziness and occasionally has to stop to catch her breath. Polly reminds her that she’s not entirely recovered after her beating. Sometimes they’re able to find nuts and berries, but Amari wishes she’d listened to Mother more when she told Amari about how to gather food. Fortunately, Amari listened to Teenie and one night she gathers a feast of nuts, berries, and roots. Polly asks how Amari knew what to pick as she nibbles a mayapple. Tidbit says the mayapple tastes funny but asks why Amari didn’t pick more. Amari says that one should never take all of a plant and should ask the plant permission. This piques Polly’s interest, and Amari tries to explain. Polly understands showing respect for nature. Tidbit is still hungry, though, and he doesn’t believe Polly that they’ll find food later.

A few hours later, Tidbit runs off to vomit. Both Amari and Polly vomit as well, and Polly angrily says she thought “you Africans knew all about plants and herbs!” Amari is angry, since Polly didn’t try to find any food herself. They spend a day and a night trying to recover and Polly’s anger doesn’t dissipate. Amari tells Polly that she’s free to leave whenever, but Mr. Derby is going to sell Polly to a whorehouse. Amari knows they need real food. She finds a stick and goes to the river. She returns with three catfish and insists they can eat them raw. Polly is aghast, but Amari skillfully butchers the fish, and Polly hesitantly says the fish isn’t bad. When they’re finished, Polly helps Amari stand up. They seem to understand each other. They bury the bones and head off.