Alex Haley's Roots Character Analysis

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In "Roots" by Alex Haley, Kunta is taken from Africa and enslaved in America. In the village of Juffure where Kunta was raised, everything was tribal and community oriented. He was the son of a respected man in his community and had just reached adolescence. His African heritage and moral values clashed with what the Toubab wanted of him therefore giving him the desire to do whatever it took to regain his freedom. Having no prior knowledge of America, the setting has a detrimental impact on Kunta in that it is foreign and exotic. Kunta's African background and strong moral values caused him to rebel however the exotic terrain of the area countered his desires leading him to capture and punishment during which he changed his attitude and developed a new strategy for freedom. From outside observations, Kunta assumes what the Toubab want from him therefore influencing his future…show more content…
The cooler temperature of America damaged Kunta's physical condition slowing him down and negatively impacting his health. "Kunta was nearly numb with cold when the rolling box turned suddenly off the main road… legs crashing through frosted stalks of cotton." Kunta had never experienced this type of weather considering he was accustomed to Africa’s bearing sun and warm temperatures. The plants and geographic layout of America were foreign to Kunta providing as another disadvantage when he tried to escape. "The thorny brambles and vines of the brush at the edge of the forest seemed to reach out and tear at Kunta's legs." Kunta was already weak from the cold climate and previous lashings, and the landscape and plants of America were unlike anything he had ever seen in Africa. Kunta's experience in Africa could not help him escape considering he had no prior knowledge of the terrain he was attempting to run through which led to his capture and
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