S.T.E.A.L. Characterization

3. During the storm, many slaves, die from the conditions of the ship or because of the injuries sustained during the storm. Afterwards, they are treated with medicine, given more food and treated a lot more humanely. Why the sudden change in how they are treated?
The slave was given food and medicine because the sheep was damaged. Page 45 state that “SEVERAL OF THE MAST poles had been damaged”. The sailors gave them these foods because they did not want them to get spoilt. It is not a good gesture because the sailors and crew are only interested in saving their food but not the life of the slaves.

4. In Besa’s final goodbye to Amari, what does he say? What is the conversation like? What part of this conversation suggests that they can both still honour the culture they come from?
Besa tells Amari to remember him and smile as she looks at the sun and stars because he wants her to know that she will always be his lovely Amari. On page 35, Besa reassures Amari of his love for her as she states, “My Besa, my love, I have found you. It is I, Amari!” Her heart thudded as she allowed all her memories to come rushing back.” The conversation between Amari and Besa is a romantic one. Both Amari and Besa love each other from the conversation, and they find it hard to let go. They both promise to honour the culture of their culture through

5. Describe Amari’s feeling as she is sold. What does she not know about her future that the reader probably does know? What would you have done in the same situation?
Amari feels distressed and alone. She feels horrible knowing that she is going to be a slave. Unlike the reader, Amari does not know that she will be free and live everyday life. She has also torn away from her second mother and is on her way to an unknown location, and she is terrified. On page 66, “they state that her face was a question.” If I were Amari, I would feel terrible because I will miss my family, and I do not know what the future holds. I will not be comfortable going to live with new people. Amari loves her family from the statement, and she does not want to be sold into slavery.

6. Who is Polly? How is her condition different from the conditions of other slaves?
Polly, a 15-year-old protagonist in the novel, is a white indentured servant; her indenture is acquired by Mr Derby on the same day he purchases Amari. Polly’s condition is unique from other slaves because she was adopted by imperfect parents who wanted nothing more than to grow up to be lovely. Polly, like Amari, is a young woman. Polly is the only child in her three-parent household. Mr Jeremy Carton’s debt was paid off, and Polly’s parents were killed. Mr Jeremy Carton didn’t want to live with Polly, so he sold her along with the debt she owed to her parents. Mr Derby purchased Polly to assist him in teaching the slaves the language of the whites, which is English.
7. Discuss the first meeting between Amari and Polly. Why is this part of the story told in Polly view?
Amari is head over heels in love with a guy named Besa. When they get to America, Amari is sold to Mr Derby, and that is how she met Polly. Amari was in such because she was separated from Afi, and she had no idea of where she was going. It shows how Amari was in love with Besa. Additionally, Polly narrating the part of the story shows that she cared and understand Amari feelings.
8. Explain how Mr Derby and his son, Clay, illustrate the cultural attitudes and beliefs of the southern aristocracy (rich) at the time
They think the southern want to take advantage of them, and white women need to be treated like china, unlike the slaves. They believe the southern should treat the slaves like savages and live in the jungle with no civilization. Page 65 states that “white women, like my Isabelle and your mother before her, are to be respected and treated like”. From their statements, Mr Derby and Clay feel that southern are better and should exploit the slaves because they think that slaves are not human. Thus taking advantages of them makes them, and it is good to show the slaves who the master is.
9. Compare and contrast Derby’s treatment of Polly, Noah and Amari?
Derby favours Polly because she is white, just like him. On the other hand, he treats Noah and Amari inhumanely because they are both black slaves. He does not like Noah and gives him a lot of work. On page 55, the book state, “Hurry up, Noah. Get these loaded,” the boy yelled to the black man”, this is what Derby tells Noah. Derby is more commanding towards Noah, unlike Polly. Further, he has a whip that he uses on Noah to make him work fast. Thus, he is more lenient with Polly than Noah.

10. Discuss the character of Polly and how she comes across as you first meet her. What advantages does Polly have in society and the story?
Polly is arrogant and racist. She is white, and Mr Derby bought her as a slave to teach his black slaves the language of their masters. Polly has spent her life thinking that she is superior to Black people because she is white. She’s blatantly ignorant, questioning whether Black people have emotions and suffering or even whether they understand language as much as she does. On page 30,” she wonders if Negroes from Africa had feelings and intelligent thoughts or if that gibberish they spoke was more like the scream of monkeys or the barking of dogs.” This statement proves that she has hated the black people, and her character continues to widen the rift between the black and white people.