Heavy Content

• Slave masters would force husbands to flog their own wives as punishment. (p. 81)
• Description of the slave hold on slave ships: open tubs for toilets, children would fall into and almost drown, groans of the dying, etc. Families are separated during slave sales. Husbands, wives, and children may never see each other again. (p. 28)

Language/Crude Imagery

• Use of “damn” (p. 120)

Violence/Graphic Imagery

• Brief though not overly graphic descriptions of slave torture and punishment such as metal muzzles over the mouth, hanging, burning, savage beatings, branding with master’s name, amputations. (recurring)
• Brief mention of protagonist holding the scalp of an Indian King killed in battle. (p. 51)
• Description of tribal warfare. The arm of a slain enemy is hung in the marketplace after the battle. (p. 11)

Theology/Mythology

• Protagonist describes his tribe’s belief in God, one creator of all things, but ascribes anthropomorphic qualities to God (lives in the sun, wears a belt, etc.); belief in God is mixed with belief in spirits, offerings to spirits, etc. (p. 4-5)