Someone Knows My Name

Names are the most prominent motif in the story, as they are repeatedly emphasized to develop the theme of identity. In most instances names reflect a desire to have one’s identity acknowledged. In the case of the slave ship, the inhumane conditions in the stinking hold strip the captives of any sense of identity or soul, forcing them to feel like a rotting, collective body. When Aminata shows interest in them, the captives call out their names and tribes to feel connected to their past selves and affirm that their souls aren’t completely lost. Chekura’s statement defines the underlying theme of the narrative: “Someone knows my name. Seeing you makes me want to live” (63). In the grimmest of conditions that nearly erase his identity, the simple acknowledgement of Chekura’s name becomes a testament to his soul’s existence, proving that there is humanity within him still.

The novel also emphasizes the relationship between names and connections to places and other people. Aminata longs to be called by her real name rather than Meena Dee, the name given to her by slavers. When Chekura calls her by her real name, she feels connected to the person she once was in her homeland.