Sabrina Santana asked this question about
Copper Sun:
1. What is the most intriguing part you just read?
2. What do you think will happen next?
3. What is a word you learned?
Adia Stampley
Adia S.
Throughout life, you will have to go through change. Change is inevitable and there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. In Copp…moreAdia S.
Throughout life, you will have to go through change. Change is inevitable and there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. In Copper Sun, Sharon M. Draper, the author of various children’s books and a six-time award recipient of the Coretta Scott-King Award for Authors, uses symbolism, descriptive language, and comparisons to show how the main character, Amari, copes with the change that is taking place in her life. This book tells the story of the overlooked history of African-Americans.
The symbolism shows the significance in many of the traditional pieces from the main character’s home back in Africa. It shows the importance of drum and how it was their source of communication and life. A quote from the book says, “You know, Amari, the drums are not just a noise--they are language; they are the pattern and the rhythms of our lives.” Throughout the book, Draper uses symbolism to show the reader how much the characters miss their home and families and how they long to have the happiness and comfort of their homes once again. This is a deliberate choice because it show the difference between how the characters once lived and how they’ve adapted to their new lifestyles. It also shows the drastic change in the character’s ability to persevere and continue living their lives despite of the obvious challenges and difficulties. In the book it states, “He had no need to look at his hands to produce the drum sounds that lived within him.” This statement shows that the drums were apart of their everyday lives and they lived through the drums.
Descriptive language is used the create a greater level of interest. The captors are seen as the “end of the road” for Amari because they have taken everything from her, but throughout her struggles she still manages to keep her head up with pride. The relationships that Amari has built with the people she’s met on her journey, so far, will help her throughout the rest of the book as her journey through slavery continues. A quote from the book states: “The bright sunlight was suddenly gone, and she had to adjust her eyes to the gloom inside the structure. It smelled of blood and death. She could hear terrifying wails that seemed to coming from the walls of the place. Amari was filled with dread.” This descriptive language provides the reader with many important details to help them visualize and sense the feeling of loneliness and hopelessness that Amari is feeling at that moment. Descriptive language not only helps you feel for the reader, but it helps you to become more engaged in the book.
Throughout the book, Sharon M. Draper uses a lot of comparisons. She often compares the life to an endless sea of death and unhappiness. Because the condition and the treatment of the slaves is abysmal, the slaves usually lose all hope for any chance of things getting better and they frequently give up on life all together. Amari is haunted by the fact that everything she once knew has been stripped away from her, but she later on finds comfort in a character named Afi, which becomes a mother-like figure to her along her journey to America. The slaves were often compared to non-human creatures and animals. “Now you dance! Dance! Dance, you little monkeys, dance!” When the slaves were spoken to, they were always told that they were inferior, different, and worthless. Discouraging words like those, made the slaves feel unwanted, useless, and nothing more than someone’s property.
In conclusion, change is bound to happen and there is nothing we can do to prevent it, but despite of all the difficulties and challenges, Amari overcame all of her obstacles. The figurative language used throughout Copper Sun helps the reader better understand the importance of being able to persevere through hardships. It is important to educate all people about the history of African-Americans. This story has gone unnoticed for far too long. Do you know your African-American history? (less)
Throughout life, you will have to go through change. Change is inevitable and there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. In Copp…moreAdia S.
Throughout life, you will have to go through change. Change is inevitable and there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. In Copper Sun, Sharon M. Draper, the author of various children’s books and a six-time award recipient of the Coretta Scott-King Award for Authors, uses symbolism, descriptive language, and comparisons to show how the main character, Amari, copes with the change that is taking place in her life. This book tells the story of the overlooked history of African-Americans.
The symbolism shows the significance in many of the traditional pieces from the main character’s home back in Africa. It shows the importance of drum and how it was their source of communication and life. A quote from the book says, “You know, Amari, the drums are not just a noise--they are language; they are the pattern and the rhythms of our lives.” Throughout the book, Draper uses symbolism to show the reader how much the characters miss their home and families and how they long to have the happiness and comfort of their homes once again. This is a deliberate choice because it show the difference between how the characters once lived and how they’ve adapted to their new lifestyles. It also shows the drastic change in the character’s ability to persevere and continue living their lives despite of the obvious challenges and difficulties. In the book it states, “He had no need to look at his hands to produce the drum sounds that lived within him.” This statement shows that the drums were apart of their everyday lives and they lived through the drums.
Descriptive language is used the create a greater level of interest. The captors are seen as the “end of the road” for Amari because they have taken everything from her, but throughout her struggles she still manages to keep her head up with pride. The relationships that Amari has built with the people she’s met on her journey, so far, will help her throughout the rest of the book as her journey through slavery continues. A quote from the book states: “The bright sunlight was suddenly gone, and she had to adjust her eyes to the gloom inside the structure. It smelled of blood and death. She could hear terrifying wails that seemed to coming from the walls of the place. Amari was filled with dread.” This descriptive language provides the reader with many important details to help them visualize and sense the feeling of loneliness and hopelessness that Amari is feeling at that moment. Descriptive language not only helps you feel for the reader, but it helps you to become more engaged in the book.
Throughout the book, Sharon M. Draper uses a lot of comparisons. She often compares the life to an endless sea of death and unhappiness. Because the condition and the treatment of the slaves is abysmal, the slaves usually lose all hope for any chance of things getting better and they frequently give up on life all together. Amari is haunted by the fact that everything she once knew has been stripped away from her, but she later on finds comfort in a character named Afi, which becomes a mother-like figure to her along her journey to America. The slaves were often compared to non-human creatures and animals. “Now you dance! Dance! Dance, you little monkeys, dance!” When the slaves were spoken to, they were always told that they were inferior, different, and worthless. Discouraging words like those, made the slaves feel unwanted, useless, and nothing more than someone’s property.
In conclusion, change is bound to happen and there is nothing we can do to prevent it, but despite of all the difficulties and challenges, Amari overcame all of her obstacles. The figurative language used throughout Copper Sun helps the reader better understand the importance of being able to persevere through hardships. It is important to educate all people about the history of African-Americans. This story has gone unnoticed for far too long. Do you know your African-American history? (less)
by
Sharon M. Draper (Goodreads Author)
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