Children of Blood and Bone Essay Questions

How is hair used as a symbol in Children of Blood and Bone, and why is this choice significant?

In colonial and post-colonial societies, people of African ancestry have historically been shamed, discriminated against, and even subjected to violence over their natural hair texture and skin tone. Natural hairstyles, and curly textures, are still regulated in professional environments. For example, some school and work dress codes forbid black employees from wearing their hair in locs. In Adeyemi's work, however, curly hair is celebrated and indicates power. For instance, when Zélie's powers are dormant, her hair is straight and silky. However, her hair becomes coarser and curlier when she accesses her magic and develops her skills.

How do the divîners resist the monarchy?

The divîners face discrimination and violence at the hands of the monarchy but resist through personal fulfillment, community building, and reclamation of identity. For example, the economically disadvantaged divîners of Lagos live in slums. They decorate their dwellings with vibrant paint and art, creating beauty where the monarchy attempted to subjugate them. To build community and strength, Zu brings together divîners and encourages them to practice magic and celebrate their culture. In a solitary act of resistance and optimism, Lekan, the final sêntaro, maintains Chândomblé and assists Zélie in her mission to restore magic to Orïsha.

How do the events in Children of Blood and Bone mirror real-life racial and cultural discrimination?

Tomi Adeyemi wrote Children of Blood and Bone in part to represent black women in fantasy and respond to the Black Lives Matter movement. In Orïsha, King Saran intentionally severs the majis' connection to their gods, culture, and heritage. This violence mirrors the colonial practice of suppressing indigenous cultures. Additionally, "the stocks," or the labor force composed of divîners who cannot pay exorbitant and arbitrary taxes, is an allegory for mass incarceration in the United States. Colorism, where light-skinned individuals are more privileged than those with darker complexions, is a prevalent theme throughout the text and an issue in many real-world countries and cultures.

Compare and contrast Zélie and Amari's upbringings. What common ground do the girls share despite their different backgrounds?

As Princess of Orïsha, Amari grew up in luxury, unlike Zélie, who, after the Raid, experienced poverty and food scarcity. King Saran locked Amari in the palace, whereas Zélie was free to explore. Zélie and Amari are both skilled warriors; King Saran trained Amari to fight with the sword, and Mama Agba trained Zélie to fight with the staff. Amari and Zélie have older brothers. Unlike Zélie and Tzain, Amari and Inan are not close after their father forced them to fight. Amar and Zélie also both faced discrimination and taunting for their dark skin tones.

How does Inan's understanding of magic change throughout the text?

At the start of Children of Blood and Bone, Inan believes the maji are dangerous and responsible for Orïsha's ills. He does not understand magic and fears it. When he sees Zélie for the first time, he explains his attraction to her as a spell she casts on him. When Inan begins to feel the pull of magic, he compares it to poison. However, after seeing Lekan use magic, Inan sees its potential to improve Orïsha. When he accidentally kills Kaea, he again views magic as dangerous and suppresses his powers. As his connection with Zélie deepens, Inan begins to embrace magic as part of his identity. At the end of the text, Inan oscillates between embracing magic and abhorring it.