Copper Sun By Sharon Draper

Reading Packet

Name ______________________________________

Period ______

Part I: Amari (Chapters 1-5)

betrothed: (adj.) engaged to be married

aghast: (adj.) stricken with shock or amazement

pungent: (adj.) having a strong odor or flavor

rites: (noun) ceremonial procedures

coffle: (noun) a group of prisoners or slaves chained in a line

crooned: (verb) sung or hummed in a soft, soothing voice

expanse: (noun) wide area of sea, land, or sky

irate: (adj.) extremely angry

1. Using at least five facts from the novel, describe the village of Ziavi.

2. Analyze the relationship between Amari and Besa. Then compare and contrast the relationship

to those in the 21st century.

3. Amari’s mother says, “We must welcome our guests… We would never judge people simply by

how they looked-- that would be uncivilized” (p. 5). How is this statement ironic? What events

might this statement foreshadow?

4. What is the mood of the first chapter? How does the mood change at the end of the second

chapter?

5. What does it mean that Besa’s face “became a mask,” and why do you think he does this?

6. Explain why Kwadzo died “maybe from his untreated sorrow.”Why did Amari envy him?

7. Looking at the first three sentences on the top of page 34, why do you think Draper chose to

entitle this novel Copper Sun?

8. List (with page numbers) at least six examples of vivid imagery throughout these first several

chapters.

Chapters 6-13

ferocity: (noun) savage fierceness lament: (verb) to feel or express sorrow; to mourn fetid: (adj.) having an offensive odor; rotten talisman: (noun) an amulet or charm thought to have special powers rueful: (adj.) feeling or expressing sorrow or pity defilement: (noun) violation of chastity or purity; pollution ominous: (adj.) threatening harm or danger emaciated: (adj.) extremely thin; wasted away bemoaning: (verb) expressing grief; lamenting boisterous: (adj.) full of noisy enthusiasm or energy retaliation: (noun) deliberate harm or revenge

1. Why does Afi advise Amari to forget her former life? Why does Afi think it is not only

possible but important for Amari to survive?

2. Why do you think the mother and daughter leap into the ocean? Why do the sailors cast

nets out to haul them back in?

3. List at least six details of the “ship of death” from Amari’s point of view. Why do you think

the slaves were transported this way?

4. What are two probable reasons the sailors make Amari and the other slaves dance for

them? Why does Afi again have to reassure Amari that she must continue living?

5. What does Bill, the redheaded sailor, do for Amari and how might these actions benefit her?

6. Why does Amari turn away from Besa two different times when she sees him on deck?

7. On page 64, Afi says, “Find beauty wherever you can, child. It will keep you alive.” Why does

she say this? Do you think it is even possible in this situation?

8. Why are the slaves so well taken care of on Sullivan’s Island?

9. Make a prediction: what will happen at the slave auction? Will Afi and Amari be able to stay

together?

Part II: Polly (Chapters 14-16)

repulsive: (adj.) disgusting; causing aversion

incoherently: (adv.) said in a manner which is hard to understand

saucy: (adj.) rude and disrespectful

sniveling: (verb) weeping

acquisition: (noun) added property

insubordination: (noun) disobedience to authority

scullery: (noun) small room in a pantry often used to prepare food

pummeled: (verb) thrashed with fists

1. Discuss Polly’s current situation and the reason she is in these circumstances.

2. What is Polly’s opinion of slaves? How do you think her opinion was formed?

3. Why does Amari have a fit onstage? What does this make Polly wonder, and why?

4. Why doesn’t Polly feel any sympathy when she sees Amari crying in the back of the Derby’s

wagon?

5. Why does Clay warn Polly that women have no need to read and that it is forbidden to teach

slaves to read?

6. Why is Polly instantly dismayed after hearing about her assignment from Mr. Derby?

7. Why do you think Amari is so adamant that her name is not Myna?

8. What does Polly reveal about her past? What is Teenie’s opinion on Polly’s situation?

9. Make predictions as to what life at Derbyshire farms will be like for both Polly and Amari.

Part III: Amari (Chapters 17-20)

assimilate: (verb) adapt or adjust to the customs of a new culture or country

intuitively: (adv.) naturally; instinctively

plaintive: (adj.) expressing sorrow

addlepated: (adj.) confused

trilling: (verb) singing with a vibrant effect

diminutive: (adj.) small in size or stature

morosely: (adv.) gloomily; sullenly

ambled: (verb) moved at an easy pace; sauntered

1. Describe Clay’s attitude toward his stepmother. Why do you think he feels this way?

2. Why do you think Clay asks Amari if she likes him? Why does she answer the way she does?

3. Describe the first Mrs. Derby. What happened to her and what effects did this have on both Mr.

Derby and Clay?

4. What ‘power’ does Teenie have at Derbyshire Farms? Why is this significant?

5. How is the new Mrs. Derby’s life similar to that of a slave?

6. What does Amari mean when she says on page 126: “Song float up to the sky—fly free…”?

7. Make a prediction: Whom did Amari hear whispering in the bushes?

Part IV: Polly (Chapters 21-22)

shucking: (verb) taking off the husk; peeling

cipher: (verb) to use figures or numerals; to do math

cavorted: (verb) had lively fun; romped

rivulets: (noun) small streams of water

disdain: (noun) feeling of contempt, resentment

admonished: (verb) scolded

venison: (noun) the meat of a deer

wanly: (adv.) feebly; weakly

palpable: (adj.) easily felt or seen; obvious

1. Explain why Polly wants so badly to work in the house.

2. Using at least six facts from the text, describe what it is like to work in the rice fields.

3. Why isn’t Hildy’s snakebite treated as a major cause for concern?

4. On page 138, Amari sharply replies that Mrs. Derby needs help herself. What does Amari think

this and what kind of help does the lady need?

5. What does Polly observe about the way Mr. Derby treats his wife?

6. Why does Mr. Derby and Clay’s discussion about the buying and selling of slaves distress Polly?

7. Analyze the conflicting emotions Polly feels as she watches Amari being whipped.

8. Evaluate at least two probable causes of Clay’s distress as he leaves the dining room.

Part V: Amari (Chapters 23-27)

grimaced: (verb) frowned in disapproval or pain

sauntered: (verb) moved slowly and deliberately

vermin: (noun) something vile or disgusting (often used to describe mice)

uproariously: (adv.) noisily, usually with joy

infirmity: (noun) physical weakness or ailment

anguish: (noun) sorrow, suffering; agony

hightailed: (verb) moved quickly

revulsion: (noun) strong feeling of dislike

impassive: (adj.) unmoved; without emotion

1. Identify at least three details (with page numbers) that show Polly and Amari’s relationship has

changed since Amari’s beating.

2. How does Clay show conflicting emotions/actions toward Amari?

3. Why does Teenie suddenly remind Amari of Afi?

4. Why do you think Clay forces Tidbit and Amari to accompany him on his alligator-hunting trip?

5. Describe (with evidence from the text) and explain Amari and Polly’s reactions to the birth of

Mrs. Derby’s baby.

Amari:

Polly

6. What deception do the women devise, and how does their plan unravel?

7. Why is Mr. Derby justified both socially and legally for what he did to Noah and the baby?

8. Why do you think Dr. Hoskins did not speak up during this scene?

9. Predict how Teenie, Polly, and Amari will be punished for helping Mrs. Derby?

Chapters 28-33

doublet: (noun) close-fitting outer- garment, similar to a vest

consternation: (noun) dismay; concern

interjected: (verb) inserted; said between points in a conversation

courier: (noun) delivery person

inconsolable: (adj.) unable to be comforted; extremely upset

bereft: (adj.) deprived; desolate, feeling of emptiness, abandonment

sugarcoat: (verb) to make things seem less serious than they really are

exultation: (noun) rejoicing greatly; lively celebration

fretfully: (adv.) anxiously; nervously

deftly: (adv.) with skill; cleverly

1. Explain Mr. Derby’s punishment for the following characters and how each is particularly

horrifying to them:

Polly:

Amari:

Teenie

2. What is Polly’s reaction to Teenie’s idea of Polly escaping alone? Why do you think she reacts

this way?

3. What does Cato suggest, and why is his suggestion so surprising?

4. Identify two possible motives as to why Dr. Hoskins helped the three characters escape.

5. Analyze why Amari no longer wants to be called ‘Myna.’

6. Why is the argument whether to head north or south significant between Amari and Polly?

7. Explain Polly’s quote from page 213: “Freedom is a delicate idea, like a pretty leaf in the air: It’s

hard to catch and may not be what you thought when you get it…”

Chapters 34-36

unaccustomed: (adj.) not used to

console: (verb) give comfort to

horrendous: (adj.) horrible; unable to be tolerated

folly: (noun) foolishness

cajoled: (verb) coaxed; persuaded with flattery

vigilant: (adj.) on constant watch; wary and alert

quaked: (verb) shook violently

bawdy: (adj.) indecent; obscene

motley: (adj.) diverse; an odd or unexpected mixture

1. Give at least two reasons why Tidbit is so upset about Hushpuppy’s disappearance.

2. Make an inference about the cause of Mr. Derby’s death.

3. What two suspicions does Clay have about Dr. Hoskins?

4. How does Amari escape Clay? How and why do the girls leave Clay’s life up to fate?

5. Describe the difficulties of traveling by night, all alone, with no food and no real guarantee that

the place you are heading really exists.

6. Compare and contrast Nathan’s point of view to his father’s.

7. What information does Nathan give the girls about Fort Mose, and why is it so valuable?

8. Based on Nathan’s actions in helping the girls escape, what can we infer about him?

Chapters 37-38

mire: (noun) wet, swampy ground

buckskin: (noun) clothing made from deerhide

cowered: (verb) cringed in fear

pothook: (noun) an iron rod with a hook at the end for lifting pots

chortled: (verb) chuckled

modulation: (noun) adjustment of the tone, pitch, or volume of sound

philosophically: (adj.) rationally; thoughtfully

garrisons: (noun) military posts

spirits: (noun) alcohol for drinking

pretense: (noun) façade; false show

1. What is Fiona’s opinion of slavery and why does it confuse Amari?

2. Describe at least two ways in which Besa has changed.

3. What does Amari learn about herself, her past, and her future through her reunion with Besa?

4. Why does Amari suddenly feel so conflicted about white people?

5. Which of Fiona’s comments infuriates Amari? Why?

6. What do Polly and Amari talk about during the wagon ride, and why is this significant?

7. Assuming Corporal Salvador knew Amari, Polly, and Tidbit were runaways, why does he pretend

otherwise?

Part XI: Amari (Chapters 39-42)

arduous: (adj.) requiring great exertion; physically difficult

convey: (verb) communicate; make known

cryptically: (adj.) mysteriously

nimbly: (adj.) deftly; with great skill and quickness

profound: (adj.) penetrating deeply; going beyond what is obvious

apprentice: (noun) someone who is studying a trade

traversed: (verb) traveled

lethargic: (adj.) having little energy

disconcerting: (adj.) causing concern; upsetting

1. Why is Tidbit afraid of crossing the river?

2. What is the significance of the conversation Amari has with Tidbit after he asks about Teenie?

3. Why do the Spanish offer runaways freedom? What does Polly realize about “fairness” after

talking with Inez?

4. Explain at least three differences between living in Fort Mose versus the colonies.

5. What can we infer from Polly’s reaction to hearing that a ‘red-headed white boy’ came through

looking for her?

6. What is the girls’ impression of Captain Menendez?

7. What assignments are given to the following characters and how is each appropriate:

Amari:

Polly

Tidbit

8. What does Inez reveal is the real purpose of Fort Mose, and why does this alarm Amari?

9. How does Inez comfort Amari when she realizes she is pregnant, and how does Amari make

peace with the idea?