Ziavi ziavi is a small village in africa, and amaris hometown. A short essay on amari in copper sun by sharon draper. Major characters mynaamari is a fifteen year old slave from africa, who gets taken away from her family and her betrothed, besa. Another critic claimed that the book showed themes of pain, hope, and determination and human exploitation and suffering. Families may find the violence, habitual rape, and cruelty described here a challenge to read about, but the story does succeed in connecting modern teens to a period in time that many view from the. When the novel opens, amari is a happy teenager, engaged to the most handsome man in. Copper sun is a beautifully told story of a young african girl sold into slavery, the horrors she endures, and her underlying hope. The white men shoot and kill most of amaris village before setting it aflame.
The beginning of the book is set in ziavi which is the african village that amari and besa have grown up in. Engaged to the handsomest man in her tribe, adored by her family, and fortunate enough to live in a beautiful village, it never occurred to her that it could all be taken away in an instant. Then they are taken away to cape coast castle and are loaded onto the slave ships to. Copper sun teacher guide by novel units novel units on. What is the setting of copper sun by sharon draper answers. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Parents should be prepared to answer questions or read this novel alongside their teens. Mynaamari is a fifteen year old slave from africa, who gets taken away from her family and her betrothed, besa. This study guide consists of approximately 39 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of copper sun.
The reader will develop strong feelings for amari and those who suffer along with her surprisingly including the white mistress. This outstanding novel is about the harsh realities of slavery. She goes through many things to get to america, like getting raped and getting branded. Amari loves her community the ewe people, her family. Amari is in love with besa and he tells amari that white men are coming members of the ashanti tribe.
The theme in this book is no matter how many obstacles life throw at you never lose hope, and never give up because at the end of the storm the clouds clear and the sun shine. Then they are taken away to cape coast castle and are loaded onto the slave ships to america. The page before chapter 1 begins came from the end of part one, chapter. Plot copper sun opens on the happy setting of amari in her african village, enjoying the pleasures of life and the love of family. Copper sun did an excellent job of portraying francisco. Copper sun by sharon drapper, is an exciting, intense, and very descriptive book. Lastly amari shows bravery when she escapes with tidbit and polly from the derbys plantation on that treacherous journey south. It isnt sugar coated, and readers get a true picture of how devastating it was for human beings to be stolen from. From the stature, he sees besa coming their direction. She held her tight for as long as she could until one day, when teenie was six, her mother was going to be sold. Amari and besa the story opens with kwasi amaris more youthful sibling climbing a coconut tree to look at a giraffe without flinching. Sep 15, 2011 the book copper sun is told by a slave named amari and an indentured servant named polly. Draper about the book amaris life was once perfect.
Besa gets up to speed with amari to ask her how her day was, and the two trade loving words with one another. I have spent almost ten years doing research on this novel and editing it for accuracy of fact as well as sincerity of spirit. This quote reflects from amari because, through out the book she wanted to give up and she didnt, she wanted to. They are then sold and amari goes to charlestown, south carolina. Copper sun exposition everything was alright until they came. The book opens the readers mind to what the world was once like. They are here to capture the strongest, healthiest villagers and murder the. Told from the modulating viewpoints of 15yearold slave amari, and 17yearold indentured servant polly, copper sun is a story of resilience in the face of human depravity, and a hope for freedom against all odds. Choose from 117 different sets of copper sun novel flashcards on quizlet. It kept my interest from beginning to end and opened up alot of dialogue with me and my daughter about slavery. A student recently said, i dont care about slavery.
In the beginning of the book she has a horrible attitude and thinks her life is over but, after meeting a few friends, she becomes a happy, cheerful young woman. Amari loves her community the ewe people, her family, and her soontobe husband, besa. Her little brother died died when they were forced to march with all of the other people in her. He was kind and welcoming in the book, and when amari asked him if they would ever have to fight for their freedom, he was honest and said that if they may have to fight in the future, but not to worry because they had their own men and military. The sunset that evening was unlike any amari had ever seen. Jan 01, 2006 poignant and harrowing, this narrative of early america alternates between the voices of enslaved amari and indentured servant polly, building a believable interracial friendship centered on the common goal of freedom. In her remote part of africa, visitors are always a cause for celebration, but these strangers are not here to celebrate. First simon pulse edition january 2008 the library of congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows. The spirit of the copper sun seemed to bleed for them as it glowed bright red against the deepening blue of the great water. The women are all shoved into one small room, with a tiny hole in the ceiling that is supposed to ventilate air, and slimy floors filled with urine, feces, blood, and vomit. This is a great book for eight graders to study at the end of the year as they are learning about.
Copper sun welcome to the official site of sharon draper. Plot copper sun opens on the happy setting of amari in her african village, enjoying the pleasures of life and the love of family and friends. Coretta scott king award is only one of the many awards copper sun has won, but it is a very important and recognized award. I listened to this book because my daughter had it over the summer as a reading assignment. It shows the horrors the slaves faced ad their stories of survival. This riveting novel was written by draper, a granddaughter of a slave.
I think this is why sharon drapers book is called copper sun, like a setting copper sun as they run away. When you read this book you will have a new look on how our world has changed but how the past still haunts us. Copper sun novel packet characterization the characters. Copper sun study guide the following questions could be used for small group discussions, whole class discussions, or short answer written questions. The book has eleven parts in which amari and polly take turns telling what is going on in the book. What was the authors purpose for writing this book. Copper sunrise is a historical fiction that explores issues that surrounded interactions between europeans and native north americans. This is my first read of author sharon draper and will not be my last. What purpose does it serve at the beginning of the book.
Draper copper sun is unlike anything ive ever written. They decide to go south and are joined by tidbits dog, hushpuppy. The beginning of the book is set in ziavi which is the african villiage that amari and besa have grown up in. Because copper sun does contain graphic and violent scenes rape, abuse, murder, etc. This issue is presented to the reader through jamie. Copper sun and millions of other books are available for instant access. The library of congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows. Mar 21, 2015 copper sun did an excellent job of portraying francisco. It brings about enough to explain the wickedness and cruelty of slavery. The story begins with a happy teenager named amari.
Cape coast castle is the place that the slaves were brought after being captured in their village. Heartfelt and a very good read, the scene setting of the happy homelife in africa and. The sun was such a red that it seemed to amari to bleed for them because she felt that she has bled to the point of no more. This is a great book for eight graders to study at the end of the year as they are learning about slavery and the civil war. One day, unannounced, a group of palefaced strangers arrive, led there by a neighbouring tribe, the ashanti. The book copper sun has won many awards from its historical content, to the front cover. Two fifteenyearold girlsone a slave and the other an indentured servantescape their.
Amari glanced toward the west and watched the sun set. Copper sun addresses issues of the african slave trade, slavery in america, and freedom. That happened a long time ago, and i dont want to think about it in my life today. She was taken from her village in africa, after all her friends and family were killed by slave hunters. He was kind and welcoming in the book, and when amari asked him if they would ever have to fight for their freedom, he was honest and said that if they may have to fight in the future, but not to. Timesaving, inspiring lesson plans provide a comprehensive novel unitcreated by teachers for teachers. Characterization the characters in literature are part of what makes literature intriguing to. Learn copper sun novel with free interactive flashcards. Why does stryver continually criticize and belittle sydney carton for his social lapses from tales of two cities book 2 chapter 11. But, this novel also demonstrates that there are people in this world eager to do the right thing.
Introductory character list setting conflict important quotes themes visual representation discussion questions vocabulary dear reader letter dear author letter ziavi ziavi is a small village in africa, and amaris hometown. What is the setting of the book copper sun answers. I was angry, sad, frustrated, happy for any little meager piece of relief and finally i sighed. Teenie caroline repolation was born on september 7th, 1702 on a warm summer night. Her mother knew that one day, she would have to say goodbye to little teenie. Copper sunrise is a childrens novel by canadian author bryan buchan. Important quotes with page numbers freebooksummary. I was in awe of the story and how real it felt, i could visualize it all as if i was there. When white men arrive to her village for the first time, the inhabitants welcome them with open arms. It made me aware of how much slaves really suffered, although i will.
Draper copper sun is the epic story of a young girl torn from her african village, sold into slavery, and stripped of everything she. Copper sun is a historical fiction novel about fifteenyearold amari, a young woman from ziavi, ghana. Slavery in america began when the first african slaves were brought to the north american colony of jamestown. To ask other readers questions about copper sun, please sign up. The soul of the copper sun appeared to seep for them as it shined brilliant red against the developing blue of the extraordinary water. What is the setting of copper sun by sharon draper. Plot diagram polly now knows that you can be friends. From the moment the first line was finished, i was captured. When pale strangers enter, 15 year old, amaris village, her entire tribe welcomes them. The story is an emotional ride, and very hard to read. In her remote part of africa, visitors are always a cause for celebration, but these strangers are.
Ziavi is covered in rusty brown dirt, and is guarded with beautiful mango trees laden with fruit. Poignant and harrowing, this narrative of early america alternates between the voices of enslaved amari and indentured servant polly, building a believable interracial friendship centered on the common goal of freedom. This 50page guide for copper sun by sharon draper includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 42 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Well thought out and uses critical thinking skills. When whitefaced strangers enter 15year old amaris village, her entire village welcomes them, as visitors in this remote part of africa are very sparce. Amari is captured from her idyllic home in africa, and sold into slavery in the new world. Draper tells you what happens in order with the book and this also shows you how the african americans were treated.
While accounts of the attack on the tribe and the middle passage are ephemeral, the. Previously, it was an insignia of home and it brought comfort. The book copper sun is told by a slave named amari and an indentured servant named polly. What purpose in the text does the authors note serve at the beginning of the book. Copper sun is a book about an african american girl named amari who lives in her peaceful african village, that is later destroyed by caucasian men looking for slaves.
Amari and besa the story opens with kwasi amaris younger brother climbing a coconut tree to look a giraffe in the eye. When the novel opens, amari is a happy teenager, engaged to the most handsome man in her african village, and beloved by her parents. Amaris frame of mind about the copper sun has moved since it was first depicted. Falling action copper sun resolution once in the woods, amari and polly argue on which direction to go. It glowed a bright metallic copper the same sun that set each evening upon her homeland. Besa catches up with amari to ask her how her day was, and the two exchange affectionate words with.
I went to ghana several years ago and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the land and people, as well as the history of the place that hovered just out of reach. Heartfelt and a very good read, the scene setting of the happy homelife in. The characters that author sharon draper introduces are complex but still real and relatable. Beverly almond noted that the novel expresses unimaginable hardship and starvation and disease. Amari wants to go south and polly wants to go north. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.