This is a self-relisation that Aminata comes to, she realizes that her goal to return to Bayo is not what she was really after. But to regain her freedom, with true equality is what she was really after. In Bayo all that she had left was memories, her village had been destroyed. She had no idea what she was returning to. When traveling with the slave captors she overhears them talking about capturing Aminata and returning her to slavery. She could of possibly returned to Bayo if she had continued traveling with them, but that would risk her freedom. Which is what she fought so hard to regain.
I believe that Bayo is a symbol of freedom for Aminata! When she lives in Bayo, she owns her freedom and happiness, she can do whatever she wants that make her happy, she still has her parents with her. The memories that she has in Bayo is what keep her alive, she keep her hope on those days and dreaming about getting it back. Going back to Bayo equal to having her freedom, thinking and dreaming about this gives her energy. I think at this point of story, Aminata realizes that what she really wants and misses is not Bayo, is freedom. Therefore, she makes a decision that she could give up going back to Bayo, but she would never gives her freedom up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with exactly what you are saying, yes Bayo would be a dream for Aminata to go back to, but the further she gets away from Bayo she realizes how much harder it would be to get back. But for Aminata freedom is all she wants, and that it is easier for her to gain than going back to Bayo, so in this quote she is being more realistic.
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