Let Us Descend

“The first weapon I ever held was my mother’s hand.”

This passage, spoken by Annis at the beginning of the novel, highlights the innate strength of character that she and her mother possess. Although enslaved, each woman in their family line is a fighter in both the literal and figurative sense. That Annis would characterize her mother as a weapon demonstrates that she is aware of this inner strength.

“You the granddaughter of a woman warrior.”

This passage, spoken by Sasha to Annis, demonstrates the spirit of resilience that co-exists with the adverse impact of generational trauma within their family. Mama Aza passes down her skill as a warrior, her knowledge of her culture, and her strength of spirit to her daughter, and her daughter in turn passes these things on to Annis.

“I gather wood and haul water and take both up the stairs, peeking in my sire’s daughters’ rooms. They are my half-sisters; I have known this since my mother first taught me to fight, yet envy and distaste still burrow in me every morning when I tend to them.”

This passage speaks to the theme of enslavement and sexual assault, for Ward reveals that Annis’s enslaver is also her father. He subjected her mother to a series of rapes, and Sasha gave birth to Annis as a result of that abuse. Given that Annis’s very existence is overshadowed by such atrocities, it is all the more significant that in the course of her life’s journey, she eventually finds a way to break free of this cycle of enslavement and forge a new destiny for herself and her unborn child.