Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Copper Sun, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance
Horror vs. Beauty
Friendship
Memory and Storytelling
Gender, Race, and Power
Summary
Analysis
Tidbit asks what they do now, and Amari says they head down. They all hold hands and nearly run down the hill. A small house sits close to the road, and a woman with dusty brown skin calls to them from the house. Amari says that they’re headed for the fort and the woman asks if they’re hungry. As she prepares bowls of corn pudding and rabbit, she asks where they came from. She glances at their feet when she hears that they came from Charles Town. She confirms that this is Fort Mose, and when Amari says she’s dreamed of Fort Mose for a while, the woman notes that dreams disappear when one wakes up.
This woman implies that Amari may have been right to wonder if freedom might not actually be all she hoped it would—clearly, there’s something unsavory about Fort Mose for this woman to talk about dreams disappearing. However, it’s significant that Amari and Tidbit still experience kindness and help from the moment they set foot in the settlement. This offers hope that Fort Mose will at least be able to give them some of what they hope for.
Themes
The woman introduces herself as Inez and explains that she and her husband were slaves in Georgia. They escaped to Fort Mose last year, and then the Spanish took her husband to serve in their army. The Spanish, she says, aren’t saints. They free slaves because it annoys the English, and sometimes, they make runaways serve in the army before they allow them to be free. Polly exclaims that this isn’t fair, but Inez points out that life isn’t fair. Inez says that in any case, she’s free. She asks the girls for their story. Amari introduces herself and introduces Tidbit as her son. Tidbit says quietly that his name is Timothy—Teenie named him Timothy and said it’d be his name when he’s a man. Polly says she was indentured and ran off with Amari and Tidbit.
Inez may be free, but her husband has to essentially pay for his freedom by serving in the Spanish army. In this sense, women might have more privilege than men in Spanish Florida, since they seemingly don’t have to do anything special to earn their freedom. Inez also makes the point that while they may be free in Fort Mose, this isn’t necessarily because the Spanish are entirely wonderful people. Rather, the runaways are bargaining chips in an ongoing conflict with the English.
Themes
Inez softly says that troubles are never over, but it’s good to share them with friends. Polly and Amari smile at each other, and Polly says that they needed each other to make it here. Inez answers their questions about Fort Mose. Only about 100 people live here, and Black people sometimes marry Indians; other times, they marry white people. Inez says that a while ago, they had 20 slaves arrive from Georgia. Their master arrived, but the former slaves laughed at him. The master had no power here. She assures Polly that they’re safe here and notes that a young redheaded boy came through a few days ago looking for a Polly. Polly is shocked and says she thinks it’s a friend.
The story of the group of slaves laughing down their former master impresses upon Amari that she really can trust in the goodness of Fort Mose—here she could, in some ways, be more powerful than Clay or Mr. Derby. Inez’s aside about a boy looking for Polly suggests that Nathan is out looking for Polly, which would imply a happy ending for Polly. By leaving the English colonies, moreover, Nathan may be willing to give up the power he had there as a white man.
Themes
Amari asks Inez what they do next. Inez says they’ll meet Captain Menendez and get registered in St. Augustine, which will entail becoming Catholic and promising to serve the Spanish king. They’ll also get their papers saying they’re free. Amari looks up and sees a tall Black soldier. The soldier nods at Inez, introduces himself as Francisco Menendez, and welcomes the girls and Tidbit to the fort. Amari, Polly, and Tidbit bow, but Captain Menendez laughs and tells them to sit down. Amari introduces her group and is amazed at how well she can communicate her thoughts in English. Captain Menendez is also impressed and asks if she’s ready to learn Spanish. He says that life here isn’t easy, but Fort Mose is better than slavery.
Getting to meet Captain Menendez seemingly makes all of Amari’s dreams come true. Finally, she can see that Black people have the potential to hold positions of power in this strange new land. This is especially meaningful for Tidbit, as it helps him fully understand that his life can now be more than that of a powerless slave. Captain Menendez’s compliment of Amari’s English also helps Amari feel more secure in how she’s changed since arriving in the colonies. Now, she knows she’s capable of adapting to any situation.
Themes
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Polly says she has 14 years left on her indenture, which causes Captain Menendez to insist that Mr. Derby must be crazy. Polly shares that Mr. Derby killed a slave and a baby before they left. Captain Menendez promises the girls protection and asks about their skills. Amari says she knows how to cook, hunt, spin, and weave. If she’s allowed to weave here, she’d like to. Inez quietly says that Amari has more than that, but Captain Menendez says that if Amari can build a loom, she can weave and earn a good living. Amari is amazed that she can earn money here. When Polly admits that she knows how to read and write, Captain Menendez excitedly says they can open a school. Freedom, he says, means little if no one is educated. He tells Tidbit that when he’s not in school, he’ll learn to be a carpenter.
In Amari’s village, weaving was reserved for men. In Spanish Florida, Amari may find more freedom—of a very different kind—than she could at home. Being able to weave here will also allow her to more successfully pass on the history of her people through the kente cloth that she can weave. Tidbit’s tiny piece won’t have to be the only evidence of this traditional craft—Amari can make sure that Tidbit and other children descended from slaves learn their history. And by teaching them to read, Polly can give them the power to wield language as a means of sharing their stories with others.
Themes
Captain Menendez tells Inez where to settle the newcomers, salutes, and walks away. Amari is thrilled. She hasn’t seen a Black man in power since leaving home, but Inez assures her that there are Black men in charge around here. Tidbit asks if he can be a soldier and fight for his freedom. Polly says she’s happy and could sleep for a week. Inez asks Amari to walk with her.
Tidbit’s desire to grow up and be a soldier offers hope that he’ll adjust to life in Fort Mose, even if Teenie isn’t here to guide him. He now has role models that simply didn’t exist on Mr. Derby’s plantation, and they show him that he can grow up to be a powerful Black man—not just a slave.
Themes
