Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

by

Tomi Adeyemi

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Children of Virtue and Vengeance makes teaching easy.

Tzain Character Analysis

Zélie’s older brother. He’s tall, handsome, and extremely devoted to Zélie. A kosidán, Tzain has little to gain by helping Zélie fight to preserve magic in Orïsha, but as a fundamentally loyal person, Tzain is driven by his love for Zélie and his love for Mama. Tzain is consistently empathetic and kind, and acts as an interpreter of some maji events and of Zélie’s personal history for Amari. His romantic relationship with Amari, however, begins to complicate things, especially his close bond with Zélie. At times, Tzain chooses to save Amari rather than Zélie from dangerous situations—and though it appears that this is because Tzain can’t hear Zélie yelling for help, Zélie interprets it as a betrayal. Even when they fight, however, the siblings consistently make up and reaffirm their love for and connection to each other. Tzain finally breaks off his relationship with Amari when Amari chooses to unleash Cancer gas in the village of Ibadan, knowing full well that Zélie might be in there.

Tzain Quotes in Children of Virtue and Vengeance

The Children of Virtue and Vengeance quotes below are all either spoken by Tzain or refer to Tzain. 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:
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
).
Chapter One Quotes

The moment magic breathes under my skin, I can’t find my voice. The purple light of my ashê glows around my hands, the divine power that fuels our sacred gifts. I haven’t felt its heat since the ritual that brought magic back to Orïsha. Since Baba’s spirit tore through my veins.

I stumble back as magic bubbles inside me. My legs go numb. Magic shackles me to my past, dragging me under despite how hard I pull—

“No!” The shout echoes against the ritual walls [...]

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Tzain, Baba
Related Symbols: Yoruba
Page Number: 3
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Two Quotes

“I can’t be expected to carry the plight of my people forever.”

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Amari, Roën, Tzain
Page Number: 11
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Four Quotes

I tuck away my white streak, wishing I could just chop the lock from my hair. Tzain may not notice the way Zélie looks at it, but I always catch the snarl it brings to her face. For so long, she had to suffer because of her gift. Now those that hurt her the most wield that magic themselves.

I can understand why she despises it, but at times it feels like she despises me.

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain
Page Number: 22-23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Six Quotes

“But the return of magic and the birth of tîtáns are living proof that we are finally returning to the Orïsha the gods have always wanted for us! We’re so full of hatred and fear, we’ve forgotten what blessings these abilities are. For centuries these powers have been the source of our strife, but the gods ordained us with magic so the people of Orïsha could thrive!”

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain, King Saran
Page Number: 33
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Twenty-Eight Quotes

Even before Mother interrupted my rally, the support of the Orïshans didn’t touch the boundless joy of these maji. I wonder what it would be like to be embraced like that. To actually have a place where you belong.

[...]

I nod, beginning to understand what it means to be an elder. All this time I assumed it was like occupying the throne, but now I realize that it’s so much more. It isn’t simply a position of power. An elder forms the foundation of their clan’s home.

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain, King Saran
Page Number: 140
Explanation and Analysis:
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Tzain Quotes in Children of Virtue and Vengeance

The Children of Virtue and Vengeance quotes below are all either spoken by Tzain or refer to Tzain. 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:
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
).
Chapter One Quotes

The moment magic breathes under my skin, I can’t find my voice. The purple light of my ashê glows around my hands, the divine power that fuels our sacred gifts. I haven’t felt its heat since the ritual that brought magic back to Orïsha. Since Baba’s spirit tore through my veins.

I stumble back as magic bubbles inside me. My legs go numb. Magic shackles me to my past, dragging me under despite how hard I pull—

“No!” The shout echoes against the ritual walls [...]

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Tzain, Baba
Related Symbols: Yoruba
Page Number: 3
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Two Quotes

“I can’t be expected to carry the plight of my people forever.”

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Amari, Roën, Tzain
Page Number: 11
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Four Quotes

I tuck away my white streak, wishing I could just chop the lock from my hair. Tzain may not notice the way Zélie looks at it, but I always catch the snarl it brings to her face. For so long, she had to suffer because of her gift. Now those that hurt her the most wield that magic themselves.

I can understand why she despises it, but at times it feels like she despises me.

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain
Page Number: 22-23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Six Quotes

“But the return of magic and the birth of tîtáns are living proof that we are finally returning to the Orïsha the gods have always wanted for us! We’re so full of hatred and fear, we’ve forgotten what blessings these abilities are. For centuries these powers have been the source of our strife, but the gods ordained us with magic so the people of Orïsha could thrive!”

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain, King Saran
Page Number: 33
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Twenty-Eight Quotes

Even before Mother interrupted my rally, the support of the Orïshans didn’t touch the boundless joy of these maji. I wonder what it would be like to be embraced like that. To actually have a place where you belong.

[...]

I nod, beginning to understand what it means to be an elder. All this time I assumed it was like occupying the throne, but now I realize that it’s so much more. It isn’t simply a position of power. An elder forms the foundation of their clan’s home.

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain, King Saran
Page Number: 140
Explanation and Analysis: