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Symbols
The titular copper sun is a symbolic reminder for Amari that she can—and should—find beauty everywhere she goes. The sun is a constant in Amari’s life: it rises and sets on her homeland in Africa, on the ocean while she’s being transported in a slave ship, and in the American colonies once she arrives. This impresses upon her that no matter how her circumstances might change, some things will still remain the same. However, the sun isn’t simply a symbol of hope and beauty. At points, such as when Amari is forced to remain on deck under the hot sun without enough water, the sun feels oppressive. This reflects Amari’s hopelessness during her time on the ship. The sun doesn’t become beautiful again until Amari is able to reorient herself to a more optimistic perspective, suggesting that it takes intentionally changing one’s outlook to be more hopeful to be able to truly appreciate the beauty—both physical and immaterial—that life has to offer.
The Copper Sun Quotes in Copper Sun
The Copper Sun quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Copper Sun. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 6
Quotes
“You know, certain people are chosen to survive. I don’t know why, but you are one of those who must remember the past and tell those yet unborn. You must live.”
“But why?”
“Because your mother would want you to. Because the sun continues to shine. I don’t know, but you must.”
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Chapter 14
Quotes
“Will you be wantin’ her mama, sir?” the auctioneer said to Mr. Derby. “I offer her to you first, out of respect, you see.”
Polly watched as Mr. Derby, who had walked up to the stage to claim his property, glanced at the older woman standing next to the slave girl, then said, “No, Horace, but thanks for the offer. Family ties only confuse the poor creatures. They’ll forget each other as soon as the sun sets. Trust me.”
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Get the entire Copper Sun LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Copper Sun Symbol Timeline in Copper Sun
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Copper Sun appears in Copper Sun. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5. The Door of No Return
...to run to Besa, who looks defeated. The prisoners sit all day in the hot sun without water as uniformed men walk around, seemingly preparing. Amari watches, horrified, as several climb...
(full context)
Amari has never seen a sunset like tonight’s. The copper sun seems to bleed for the prisoners as it sinks. After...
(full context)
Chapter 6. From Sand to Ship
...remember the past and tell future generations—because Mother would want her to and because the sun keeps shining.
(full context)
Chapter 8. Toward the Edge of the World
...throw several bodies overboard. The male slaves return below deck. Amari watches the setting coppery sun and focuses on how beautiful it is. She hopes it’ll shield her from the ugliness...
(full context)
Chapter 10. The Middle Passage
...he loves anymore. She turns away. As the days pass, they become monotonous. The copper sun seems to imprison the captives and Amari grows to hate the white men’s drum. She...
(full context)
Chapter 11. Land Ho
...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....
(full context)
Chapter 13. The Slave Auction
...to cry. Besa asks her to think of him and smile whenever she sees the sun and the stars, and he says that she’ll always be lovely to him. Besa is...
(full context)
Chapter 18. Roots and Dirt
...says that her mother was a strong Ashanti woman. She told Teenie stories about the sun, which looked like a copper pot, and all the animals. Now, Teenie passes the stories...
(full context)
Chapter 21. Rice and Snakes
...five years. Polly is shocked. Cato explains that the rice slaves toil in the hot sun and must contend with mosquitos, flies, malaria, pneumonia, and snakes. Women have stillbirths, or their...
(full context)
Chapter 23. Fiery Pain and Healing Hands
Amari drifts in and out of consciousness. She dreams of Besa and the hot sun over the rice fields. She dreams of Mother and, oddly, of Mrs. Derby. When it’s...
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Chapter 30. Tidbit’s Farewell
...if he remembers all her mother’s stories about the Ashanti, the drums, and the copper sun. She asks if he remembers how her mother took a piece of cloth from her...
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Chapter 42. Copper Sun
...father’s, Kwasi’s, her other neighbors, and the spirits of her ancestors. She notices that the sun is about to set and thinks of Afi. Amari thinks that Afi’s insistence that Amari’s...
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...pass on her father’s stories. The child will never be enslaved. Amari watches the copper sun set. It’s the same sun that set on her homeland and she feels as though...
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