Discussion Questions- My Answers

Hi!
Right now, I am going to be answering some discussion questions that I found online. They were at this site...http://www.wwnorton.com/rgguides/someoneknowsmynamergg.htm

1. What is your opinion about Hill's suggestion that Aminata's very youthfulness at the time of her abduction enables her emotional survival, even as some of the adults in her world show signs of crumbling?

I feel that Aminata's youthfulness had a profound impact on her emotional survival. The fact that she was so young meant that she was more determined than many of the older people to survive, so that she could get back to her homeland. She had also, due to her young age, not seen as much cruelty as many older people, and this mean that she was more hopeful than they.

2. Aminata longs for her home. What is the meaning of home in the novel, and how does the meaning change as the novel progresses?

Throughout the beginning of the novel, home is taken to mean Bayo, Aminata's village in Africa. However, as the novel progresses, and Aminata moves back to Africa, and comes to realize how different it is, she does not necessarily know where home is. Apart from in her village, Bayo, Aminata never truly feels at home anywhere.

3. Aminata struggles to learn and master all sorts of systems of communicating in the new world: black English, white English, and Gullah, as well as understanding the uses of European money and maps. How do her various coping mechanisms shed light on her character?

Aminata's ability to learn and adapt very quickly has a large impact on her character. If Aminata was not able to learn to read, her chances of survival at various points would be compromised considerably. In addition, this ability demonstrates how intelligent Aminata was. Many other characters have far more difficulty learning these things. Also, in the book, Aminata is able to, due to these abilities, teach others to read. This ability enables her to demonstrate her giving nature.

Thanks for reading!
STzivanovsky