Copper Sun: An Analysis

Sophia Liberatore

Copper Sun: An Analysis

Powerful Passage

"Her [Amari] bare feet left bloody footprints upon the path- sliced by every stone and sharp stick she stumbled over. At first these difficulties bothered her but gradually, she simply felt numb." (page 21)

I very much appreciated this quote. The simple traslation of it, that she became physically numb is on the surface but only one who has either felt emotionally numb or understands emotional numbness could really understand how powerful the feeling is translated as emotional numbness in Amari while she is being taken to somewhere she does not understand by people she is horrified of.

Theme

The overall message in this book is about the horrors of slavery in Colonial America. Draper revisits the life of African slaves in the 18th century.

The way I believe Draper wanted readers to interpret the theme though was about how diversity, whether racial, or not, does not define a person or make one better than another. She used Polly as an example of someone who learns to defy the common stereotype of diverse others. It was uncommon for a white to befriend a black in this time period and Draper makes Polly understand that they were no less human than her even if they were different.

Kwasi

Static Character

Amari's younger brother is only present for a short period in the story but has an impactful role to the sudden turn of events; which is the kidnapping of Amari. We don't get much background on Kwasi but we do know that Amari and him had a strong relationship as brother and sister. When their tribe was attacked they ran away into the jungle, hoping for safety. White slave traders soon found them and slaughtered Kwasi along with many other Africans.

The background on Amari and Kwasi's relationship adds another aspect of struggle and heartbreak when Amari is abducted.

Polly

Dynamic Character

A white indentured servant, brought to the same plantation Amari, starts out looking down on her new African acquaintance. Polly has dreams of getting out of the slave houses and working in the large mansion with the other indentures. A turn of events makes all chances of Polly fulfilling her dream disappear when her and Amari get in serious trouble with Mr. Derby. She starts to realize the slaves aren't animals or savages and soon befriends Amari and other slaves. When Amari, another slave boy, and her decide to escape to a better life, she acts as not only a friend but a hero to Amari; drastically different from her initial reaction of the slave girl.

Amari

Dynamic character

Amari was an African in her Ghanaian tribe with her family and her fiancé. She had a great relationship with everyone around her. When a neighboring tribe brought whites and attacked their village, she watched as her family and friends were murdered and she was taken along with other young Africans on a journey they will never soon forget. She was separated from her fiancé and everyone she knows, and was taken to Mr. Derby's plantation where she is abused and taken advantage of. Amari becomes depressed, and struggles between fighting or hoping for a death wish. When she escaped the plantation with new found friends, she finds new hope in search of a sanctuary for run-away slaves. With out Amari, this wonderfully written novel wouldn't have the power it does.

Summary

Amari- a 15 year old girl with everything she could ask for. she loved her village in Ghana, Africa. In one instant, everything was taken away from her. Slave traders proceeded to kill her family and a majority of her village. When she tried to run, she only ended up kidnapped; and soon on a slave ship to The Carolinas.

Shipped to The Colonies and bought as a birthday present, Amari meets an indentured servant girl named Polly. The story goes on to explain the new found trust between a black and a white and their struggles to escape slavery.