The Theme Of Hope In Copper Sun

The theme of the book, Copper Sun by Sharon Draper is having hope will give you the strength to survive. Many characters show this throughout the book in different ways. Afi and Amari show this in the book a lot. Besa shows how not having hope has the opposite effect, and how he is weakened by it.

Afi is one of the first characters to show hope and have strength. She not only shows hope herself, but she teaches Amari to have hope and strength throughout their journey together. Amari thinks death is better than what they have to go through but Afi tells her,“‘If you die, they win. We cannot let that happen.’”(Draper 47) Afi wants Amari to survive and she wants Amari to fight to survive. She doesn’t want Amari to give in and die. Amari struggles

She faces so many difficult challenges and still she has hope that she will survive and she keeps fighting. When Amari was whipped nearly to death for tripping and spilling food on Mr. Derby she didn't give up. She healed and then continued to work. Teenie says “You got such a strong spirit.” (Draper 139) And even though Amari doesn’t realize it, Teenie is right. Another example of Amari showing strength is when they were in the forest. She got very sick and threw up from the poison berries that she accidentally picked. “She looked around the forest floor until she found what she needed a sturdy stick that was pointed at the end and a sharp stone. She slowly sharpened the stick until the point gleamed in the moonlight,” (Draper 197) She then went and caught catfish all by herself for everyone to eat. She could have given up and waited for someone else to get food, but instead she had hope to survive and showed her strength. Other people realize this as well. Polly tells her, “Your belief in Fort Mose, along with your strength and courage, is what has brought us this far.” (Draper 253) Her hope and belief in Fort Mose is what brought all of them to freedom. She

I can barely see, and every step causes me pain…"I no longer believe in anything,” Besa told her harshly.” (Draper 246) She tries to make him see the bright side to their situation but he refuses. His hope and spirit is completely shattered. He is very different from Amari now. Amari doesn't want to give up on him though. She tries convincing him that his life can be different and better. He just has to find hope. She invites him to come with her and live their future together. She wants him to escape with her to Fort Mose. Then he tells her, "I will take no more risks. I have found a woman here-a good woman. She keeps me warm at night, and she carries no dreams in her heart. She is safe.” (Draper 246) All he cares about is being “safe” and not taking risks. He does not want to try and find something that could be better. He is settling for what he has because he has no hope that he could find something better. This is proof that hope is what keeps you alive in terrible situations. Although Besa might be alive physically, mentally and emotionally he is dead. He has no life left in