Choose five (5) significant quotes from the novel and discuss the significance of each quotation in relation to themes, characterization, plot development, symbols and literary devices. Feel free to add you personal opinions in your response.

Quote #1:

"You must learn respect." Papa said.
"But I do not respect her," I said.
Papa paused for a moment, and patted my leg. "Then you must learn to hide your disrespect."

This quote is a key to Aminatas survival. Many times throughout the novel she is faced with people whom she does not respect, with out these wise words of her father who knows what the outcome Aminata would of been. This characterization shows that Aminata father was preparing her for the journey of slavery that became her whole life. A main theme throughout the novel is survival, in order to survive she had to make the slave traders feel that she respected them to gain the importance and respect from the slave traders.