Draper, Sharon M.: *1952
Copper Sun, 2006 - Chapter Summaries
- Chapters 1–6: Amari’s Life in Africa and Her Capture
Amari begins the novel living happily in Ziavi, a village in West Africa, with her parents, her younger brother Kwasi, and her fiancé Besa. Her peaceful life changes when Besa warns her that strange white men and Ashanti warriors are approaching the village. Although Amari senses that the strangers are dangerous, her family welcomes them according to the customs of the village. During the celebration, the visitors suddenly attack, killing many villagers and destroying Amari’s family. Kwasi is killed while he and Amari try to escape, and Amari is captured and forced into slavery. She and the other captives are chained together and marched toward Cape Coast. Along the journey, Amari meets Afi, an older woman who encourages her not to lose hope. At Cape Coast, Amari is branded and taken through the Door of No Return toward the slave ship. Besa is also captured, giving Amari a painful reminder of the life she has lost.
Characters
Amari: Loving and hopeful girl, devastated by the destruction of her family.
Besa: Victim of the slave trade.
Afi: Source of hope and encouragement.
Kwasi: Represents Amari’s lost childhood. - Chapters 7–13: The Middle Passage and Arrival in America
Amari is forced aboard a slave ship with hundreds of other captives and experiences the horrifying conditions of the Middle Passage. The enslaved people are crowded into the ship's filthy, cramped compartments, and many die from disease, starvation, abuse, and exhaustion. The women are also subjected to sexual violence and humiliation by the sailors. Afi repeatedly reminds Amari that she must survive, even when Amari feels that death would be easier. One red-haired sailor, Bill, treats Amari with unusual kindness by giving her water and teaching her English words, showing her that not every individual is equally cruel. During a violent storm, many captives die, but Amari survives. Eventually, the ship reaches Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina, where the captives are inspected, treated as property, and prepared for sale. Amari sees Besa one final time before he is sold, and she is eventually taken to the slave auction at Charles Town.
Characters
Amari: Learns English as a survival tool, determined to remain alive.
Afi: Strong survival instincts.
Bill: Challenges Amari’s belief that all white people are cruel.
Besa: Represents the loss of Amari’s former life. - Chapters 14–20: Derbyshire Farms and the Beginning of Friendship
The narration shifts to Polly, a poor white girl who is indentured to the Derby family for fourteen years because of her parents’ debts. At first, Polly holds racist beliefs about Black people, but she begins questioning those beliefs when she witnesses the cruelty of the slave auction and the Derby family. Mr. Derby purchases Amari for his son Clay and orders Polly to teach her English and the rules of the plantation. Clay gives Amari the slave name Myna, but Amari refuses to accept that name and insists on being called Amari. Teenie, the plantation cook, welcomes Amari and Polly and introduces them to her young son Tidbit. As Amari and Polly work together, Polly slowly begins to recognize Amari as an individual rather than as a slave. Amari also learns more English while secretly hiding how much she understands. Clay sexually abuses Amari, while Teenie tries to protect her through knowledge and practical advice. Amari and Polly begin sharing memories of their families, which helps them understand one another. Mrs. Isabelle Derby also shows kindness toward Amari and reveals that she has little control over her own life because of her husband.
Characters
Amari: Becomes cautious and observant.
Polly: Prejudiced but increasingly compassionate.
Teenie: Emotional support for Amari and Polly.
Clay: Entitled and cruel, increasingly obsessed with controlling Amari.
Isabelle Derby: Begins showing sympathy for enslaved people. - Chapters 21–27: Begins showing sympathy for enslaved people
Polly learns how dangerous and exhausting the rice fields are and realizes that enslaved workers face conditions that can cause illness and death. She begins to understand that slavery is not simply a social system but a brutal form of exploitation. Teenie helps Amari and Polly avoid immediate placement in the fields by arranging for them to work inside the Derby house. While serving the family, Amari accidentally spills food when Mr. Derby trips her, and he brutally whips her. Polly is horrified by the violence and becomes even more determined to help Amari. Later, Amari is forced to participate in Clay’s cruel game in which Tidbit is used as alligator bait. These experiences cause Amari to become increasingly angry and to consider killing Clay. The situation becomes even more tragic when Isabelle gives birth to a Black baby, revealing that the child’s father is Noah, her Black bodyguard and lover. Isabelle fears that Mr. Derby will kill both Noah and the baby. Teenie, Polly, and Amari attempt to protect the child, but Clay discovers the baby and brings her back. Mr. Derby then murders Noah and the baby in front of Isabelle, demonstrating the extreme violence produced by racism and slavery.
Characters
Amari: Stronger desire for freedom.
Polly: Begins actively resisting the slave system.
Teenie: Willing to take dangerous risks.
Isabelle Derby: Becomes a victim of racial oppression.
Mr. Derby: Uses violence to maintain control.
Clay: Becomes increasingly dangerous. - Chapters 28–35: Escape and the Journey Toward Freedom
After Noah and the baby are murdered, Mr. Derby decides to sell Amari, Polly, and Tidbit. He locks them in a smokehouse while preparing to send them away. Teenie is devastated because she knows she will lose her son, but Cato secretly advises the group to escape and travel south toward Fort Mose, where enslaved people can obtain freedom under Spanish rule. Teenie gives Tidbit a piece of cloth from her own mother so that he will always remember her. Dr. Hoskins transports the three captives but unexpectedly stops and frees them, giving them food, money, and a weapon. Amari, Polly, and Tidbit begin traveling through the forest with Hushpuppy. They struggle with hunger, exhaustion, illness, and dangerous plants, but Amari becomes a strong leader who focuses on what they might gain rather than only what they have lost. Hushpuppy eventually returns with a rabbit, giving them the strength to continue. Clay catches up with them and attempts to recapture Amari, but Polly shoots him with the musket. They escape while Clay is left near a rattlesnake.
Characters
Amari: Focused on a future of freedom.
Polly: Willing to use violence for protection.
Tidbit: Begins understanding what freedom means.
Teenie: Preserves family memories.
Dr. Hoskins: Risks helping the fugitives.
Clay: Attempts to maintain ownership and control, yet loses power over the fugitives. - Chapters 36–42: Fort Mose and a New Beginning
Amari, Polly, and Tidbit continue their journey toward Fort Mose while trying to avoid capture. They encounter Nathan, a white boy who dislikes slavery and secretly helps them, although his father eventually discovers them and forces them to flee. The group then meets Fiona O’Reilly, who gives them food, clothing, a wagon, and a horse. Amari is shocked when she discovers that Fiona’s enslaved worker is Besa. Although Amari desperately wants Besa to return with her, she realizes that the violence and abuse he has experienced have destroyed his hope for freedom. The travelers continue south and meet a Spanish soldier who confirms that Fort Mose provides freedom to runaway slaves. After crossing the dangerous St. Mary’s River, they finally reach Fort Mose. They discover that freedom does not mean wealth or an easy life, but it gives them the right to work for themselves and live without slavery. Amari finds work weaving, while Polly is able to teach because she can read and write. Tidbit begins using his real name, Timothy, and accepts Amari as his new mother figure. At the end of the novel, Amari discovers that she is pregnant with Clay’s child, but she chooses to view the baby as carrying the spirit of her family and ancestors rather than as a continuation of Clay’s cruelty. As she watches the copper sun set, Amari realizes that she has finally found a new home.
Characters
Amari: Chooses love and family over hatred.
Polly: Completely rejects her earlier prejudice.
Tidbit/Timothy: Gains a new sense of family and security.
Besa: Represents the lasting effects of slavery.
Nathan: Rejects slavery despite social pressure.
Fiona O’Reilly: Represents unexpected human kindness.