Copper Sun: Chapter 42 Summary & Analysis

Inez shows Amari where the settlement’s boundaries are. She points out several blended families and Amari asks how Fort Mose came to be. Inez explains that people have been living here for a long time, but the king just made it official this year. It’s supposed to protect St. Augustine from English soldiers in case of invasion. They finally reach Amari’s new cottage: it’s bigger than the slave shack back at Derbyshire Farms and has a window, two doors, and a hearth. There’s plenty of room for her, Polly, and Tidbit. Amari asks if there’s fighting here, and Inez says that there isn’t any yet, but the men will be the first to die. Amari insists it’s better to die for freedom than live a slave.

Slowly, without looking at Amari, Inez says that it’s hard to women to be slaves when masters consistently come for them at night. Amari shares that she was a birthday present for her master’s son. Inez touches Amari’s shoulder and asks how long she’s been on the road, and when Amari answers it’s been about two months, Inez asks if Amari has been feeling unwell. She tells Amari that Amari isn’t sick—she’s pregnant. Amari slumps to the floor and feels ready to vomit at the revolting memories of Clay’s bedroom. She tells Inez she can’t do this since the baby makes her think of being a slave, but Inez says that babies know nothing but love. Amari insists that she hates it already, but Inez says that Amari is already trying to protect it from her bad memories.

Amari is afraid to admit that Inez is right and admits she’s afraid. Inez says there are women here to help and Amari won’t be the first. Inez had a daughter who was definitely her master’s child, but her master’s wife forced him to sell the girl when she was about Tidbit’s age. Amari offers her condolences and says she feels stupid for not figuring it out sooner, but Inez reminds Amari that she didn’t have a mama on her journey to notice and care for her. When Amari asks what she’ll do now, Inez tells Amari to wait. Her baby will be born free. Inez announces that she’s going to get Tidbit to help her gather twigs to make Amari a broom and leaves Amari to think.

Amari puts a hand on her belly and thinks that she can’t do this, but she feels too exhausted to run. She thinks of Clay. The most disconcerting memories those of the genuine affection he sometimes exhibited. Amari cries again and thinks of Mother, who would know what to do. She realizes suddenly that this baby carries her mother’s spirit—as well as her father’s, Kwasi’s, her other neighbors, and the spirits of her ancestors. She notices that the sun is about to set and thinks of Afi. Amari thinks that Afi’s insistence that Amari’s life lay beyond the horrors of slavery is starting to make sense. She remembers Teenie’s advice that remembering can keep things from disappearing. She vows never to forget and suddenly remembers Mrs. Derby and her baby—and all the women who “suffer as property of others.”

Amari vows to never think of Clay again. He can’t change her love for her baby. She decides that if the baby is a boy, she’ll name him Freeman and teach him her native language. If it’s a girl, she’ll name her Afi. No matter what, she’ll tell her child about her ancestors and she’ll pass on her father’s stories. The child will never be enslaved. Amari watches the copper sun set. It’s the same sun that set on her homeland and she feels as though she has found home again.