The middle passage was the voyage the slaves took across the ocean. Over half died during the voyage. They were stacked like lumber and treated like animals. The dead would be thrown overboard and fed to hungry sharks. The women were treated like toys and often raped.
One theme is if you want something, work for it. If you want freedom that bad, go out there and get it. Its not just going to come to you in a situation like that. Another theme is keep on trying. Polly kept trying to get moved into the main house. Amari kept trying to learn english. Tibbits mother kept trying to let them keep her song. Most importantly Amari, Polly, and Tibbit tried to escape from slavery.
Fort Mose was a spanish fort. If a slave or indenture managed to make it to Fort Mose the spanish promised them freedom. Fort Mose was guarded by the people that lived there and the Spanish. They would also protect the slaves or indentures from there masters. You also where paid for the work you do.
A quick summary/timeline:
Amari's villiage gets attacked. Amari is forced to walk miles and miles with no shoes. Amari is put onto a boat. Amari meets a sailer that teachers her some english. Amari meets polly. Amari gets whipped for spilling the masters desert. Mrs. Derby gives birth to black baby. Mr. Derby finds out and shoots the baby and the father. Polly, Amari, and Tibbit are set free by the doctor. Polly, Amari, and Tibbit survive and make it to Fort Mose.
Amari's villiage gets attacked. Amari is forced to walk miles and miles with no shoes. Amari is put onto a boat. Amari meets a sailer that teachers her some english. Amari meets polly. Amari gets whipped for spilling the masters desert. Mrs. Derby gives birth to black baby. Mr. Derby finds out and shoots the baby and the father. Polly, Amari, and Tibbit are set free by the doctor. Polly, Amari, and Tibbit survive and make it to Fort Mose.
Amari and Polly have totally different views before they got too Mr. Derby's plantation. They have a lot more in common then they think though. They both lost there parents. They both are trapped in basically being a slave. At first, they didn't like each other. But after they find that the only have themselves to help each other, they grow quite attached.
Fictional stories can make a good example of the dark times. It gives you a first person point of view on what has happened too them. It shows what it was like to live in those times. It also keeps you more focused and interested. The story will present facts but also give you the feel of what it was like. You can see how the main character reacts and you can relate to them.
Living on a plantation was harsh for slaves. Rarely masters kept slaves in a good environment. It was very common for slaves to be fed very little, and had poor housing. Some slaves were worked so hard they died of exhaustion. The life of living on a plantation is not so healthy, and not fun at all. Slaves were not aloud to roam free at night.
When they got to Fort Mose, they found that what they were told was true. They were free! They have to work to keep them and the fort safe, but they got paid so they weren't slaves. They had choices, and they had a new home and family. Fort Mose is smaller then they thought.
Citations:
Draper, Sharon M. Copper Sun. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2006. Print.
Draper, Sharon M. Copper Sun. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2006. Print.