Some important quotes from the book

"The toubab chief and the medicine man were left lying on their backs, as dead as I could have wanted them . Allaahu Akbar I muttered to myself. But maybe Fanta was right. Maybe God was impossible here." (107)

This quote relates to Religion, which is a re-occuring theme throughout the book. It shows Amanita almost giving up on her only tie to her parents. It shows the harshness of the conditions they were in, and how Aminata herself almost lost her mind.

"At times I still panic when surrounded by big white men with a purpose." (9)

This quote relates to Fear, which is a re-occuring theme throughout the book. It shows that fear has been planted in the mind of not only Aminata but all of the slaves, to the point where they have panicked moments in completely unrelated events.

"Got a slave mama, then you is slave. Got a slave daddy, then you is slave. Any nigger in you at all, then is slave as clear as day." (153)

This relates to Racism which is a theme throughout the book. This also relates to the author, who had identity issues with his race (due to the fact that he himself is mixed). This (in the Book of Negroes) shows how the states is stereotyped, and that anyone born into slavery is a slave. It is also forshadowing for the fate of Mamadu (son).

"You need something to ugly you up. You're like a flower now, and that ain't no good."(168)

This relates to the theme of Beauty. Aminata states throughout the book that she is uncommonly beautiful, and that her beauty was taken away by the atrocities inflicted upon her, this quote exemplifies the start of that decline of beauty, and is also foreshadowing for Aminata's future.

"At least he had is own people. with whom he could break bread and cry. I had nobody at all." (245)

Aminata does not deal well with death, which occurs many times in the novel. She realizes that she has no one left, her husband comes and goes, her son is sold, and her parents are dead. She has no one to grieve with (in this instance) or love. She feels like everything she touches dies.