Children of Blood and Bone

Children of Blood and Bone

by

Tomi Adeyemi

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Children of Blood and Bone: Chapter Eighty-Five Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Zélie thinks of her mother as she floats through blackness to her mother’s voice. She sees a vision of Oya, who says she has always been by Zélie’s side, and always will be. But then she realizes it’s not Oya, but her own mother. Mama tells Zélie that Baba is there now, at peace.
The Goddess Oya is a source of comfort for Zélie not only because she is a connection to Zélie’s magic, but because she is a connection to Zélie’s mother. Once again, Zélie draws faith from her belief in the gods in part because they serve as a link to her family.
Themes
Faith and Tradition Theme Icon
Zélie says they must bring Tzain there, so they can all be together. But Mama says it is not his time, nor is it Zélie’s. Orïsha still needs her. The blackness begins to fade as Zélie yells that she cannot leave her mother again.
Zélie’s desire to keep her family together is the strongest pull she feels in this moment. But her mother reminds her that she has other responsibilities, which extend beyond her blood family to the broader community of divîners who rely on her. Ultimately she must keep living and fighting for them, as much as she just wants to be with her mother.
Themes
Duty to Family vs. Self Theme Icon
Faith and Tradition Theme Icon