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Prompt 1.

(Saran's Unrelenting Cruelty)

The sadism of Saran,in the Children of Blood and Bone is not just a portrayal of power but also a fear that is deep rooted and a philosophy that is very twisted. His theory of Power is the only language they understand (p. 320) elaborating how his poor leadership transformed to be dominating just as it is in real life and that there do exist authoritarian rulers who fear to rule by justice. This even further finds relevance when he attacks the weakness of Inan, growling, You are a coward, just like your mother (p. 325) a scene that shows the self-esteem complex of Saran and the fear of being a weakling. The concept of the maji being called roaches (p. 332) and subsequently subjected to extermination orders is the same language employed in historic genocides serving to demote people to the category of pests as a means of moral distance in order to justify the use of violence. After all, the cruelty emanating out of Saran is a closed circle, because it is his fear that has bred his cruelty and logically, it has secured his dominance, reinforcing him as the frightening and peculiar goodness of indulgence and threat coupled together.

Prompt 4

(Zélie’s Resolve)
The fierce will we see in Zelie in the Children of blood and bone is a combination of loss, responsibility and changing ideas of fairness. Her determination was at first a sort of survivor guilt, constructing her father and father-substitute deaths into a promise to herself that this time she is not going to fail to save these people (p. 350). This guilt turns into an endless urge, which forces her to go through it both physically and morally (e.g., the fight in Ibeji, p. 355) that does not make her give up on her purpose. Nevertheless, her drive turns to something greater than vengeance. Indeed when Adeyemi writes, “This is not just about magic it is about freedom” (p. 368), he captivates the change of Zelie not only as being angry but a vision of emancipation. This reflects the real life revolutionaries who come with an individual anguish, but struggle on behalf of the larger justice.
Despite tensions with Amari, Zélie risks her life to shield her from Saran’s forces (p. 375), proving her that loyalty isn’t conditional. Inan’s betrayal rather than turning her bitter, it pushes Zélie to confront the destructive weight of hate(p. 380). By the climax, Zélie’s resilience isn’t just about stubbornness; it’s a conscious choice to 'carry the hope' (p. 390) for her people. Adeyemi presents her as a symbol of how pain, when harnessed with a purpose can drive a meaningful resistance.

Tiarra

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Prompt 2: The themes of hatred, prejudice, and oppression are pervasive throughout these chapters. How are these themes connected, and what does the author want readers to understand about them? : From chapter 65- 74, the themes of hatred, prejudice, and oppression feed off each other and leads to continuous cycles of violence and the deep divisions in Orïsha. It's especially evident in the words and actions of King Saran who says, “Magic turned your kind into monsters. I had to protect the kingdom from becoming prey.” that are fueled by baseless prejudices.( page 426). He choses to vilify a whole community of people instead of facing his trauma that causes him to have an unjustifiable amount of hatred in his heart. He makes generalizations regarding a large group of people because of his incorrect belief that magic itself is dangerous, and therefore, anyone connected to it must be controlled or killed leading to the oppression of entire communities of miji and diviners to the point where they are denied basic decency and rights. We can see patterns of hatred passing down from father to son when Inan betrays Zelie and sides with king Saran, and choses to be complicit in his oppressive actions. These chapters show how internalized prejudice that is not unpacked and dealt with can have devastating consequences for so many people because when the existence of an entire people are seen as a threat and actions are being taken by people in power to eradicate them from existence its because of unchecked hatred, prejudices and continued and systemic oppression. Prompt 5:According to Saran, what does it mean to be a great ruler? Do you agree or disagree with his perspective? What qualities do you think make someone a great leader?: King Saran is a ruthless ruler who causes the systemic and mass oppression of an entire group of people because of his own prejudices and trauma. He holds the belief that magic itself is dangerous, and anyone connected to magic is an enemy of the state. What I see is a man who has not even tried to understand the people he rules over and someone who let’s unchecked hatred claim the lives of so many people.

Throughout the chapters 65- 74 we can understand what kind of ruler king Saran is. In Chapter 67, he says, “Mercy is weakness. The throne survives only when it is feared” (pg. 429) which makes it evident that he believes in absolute control and showing any kind empathy will diminish the power of the crown. In my opinion this method ruling with fear, is cowardly and only implemented by rulers who don’t know how to earn the respect and love of their subjects.

If we consider another example, Zelie reflects on King Saran’s leadership saying, “He rules with cruelty because he fears what we could become.” I would have to agree with her sentiments because the merciless raids he had conducted to destroy her people, spawned because of the baseless prejudices he holds. These prejudices had led him to be paranoid of losing his power, resulting in an unjustifiable amount of violence and cruelty.

Overall, I wholeheartedly disagree with what King Saran believes makes a great ruler. According to him  great rule is about control, violence and fear but in my opinion a strong ruler is always compassionate, empathetic and understanding.

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Prompt 3

Can Inan truly love Zelie in a world without magic?

The love between Inan and Zelie is complicated, unsteady, and much tied to the existence of magic. Chapters 65 - 74 of Children of Blood and Bone show that Inan wants to have peace and be close to Zelie, but his magic conflict is never-ending, too. He tells Zelie on page 417, that, he wants a future with her. A non-magical and non-warlike future. His love craving is genuine, and his desire to do away with magic which is an essence of Zelie made him realize that he cannot love Zelie and still reject the aspect of magic in her life.

Zelie is not an ordinary girl, but a source of resistance, heritage, and spiritual authority. Magic does not belong to other part of her, it is who she is. Fostering Inan, to request a future with no magic, is, rather, a request that Zelie, focus on deleting a fundamental aspect of her identity. This hurts the base of any true love that should be based on acceptance. Moreover, his unreliable loyalties and the dread of his father out of perceived ideas cause an obstacle between his ideals and his actions.

Therefore, Inan may desire to love Zelie but because he cannot accept magic in his life both physically and metaphorically speaking, he cannot go on to love Zelie, the way love is supposed to be.

Prompt 5

According to Saran, what does it mean to be a great ruler?

In Children of Blood and Bone, King Saran thinks that a great ruler produces a fear and control. He informs Inan in his Chapter 67, that a good ruler does not chase or pursue love, he instills fear and in such leads to loyalty (p. 428). This perception shows that he believed strength demands cruelty and compassion is a sign of weakness. Instead, his cruel leadership causes uprising, agony, and segregation.

I highly differ with the definition of leadership as propagated by Saran. An excellent leader is not supposed to be frightening. It is empathy, integrity, and the sense to uplift others that makes a real leader. The techniques used by Saran make order but at the same time kills trust and cohesiveness. Characters, such as Zelie and Amari, demonstrate a brighter way, however, namely, they lead by compassion and hope, but not fear.

When Saran is afraid of change and loss of power, the true leader’s welcome transformation and place the people at the center of their priorities. A fear-based leadership is short-lived. Leadership formed by love, justice and bravery is the one that endures.

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Part 1: Written Responses to Two Prompts

Prompt 1:

Saran’s Cruelty and His Power

In Chapters 65-74, the king’s cruelty is depicted in some of its most vivid forms – and particularly in his dynamic with Inan. One powerful moment is when he says to Inan “You’ll die before you bring that filth into this palace" (Adeyemi, p.464), referring to Zélie and magic. This line is impactful not only for the hatefulness and disdain the king inflicts toward magic, but it also describes his emotional abuse of Inan, by weaponizing the fear control he uses to manipulate Inan. A good father or leader would have led Inan with wisdom, instead Saran manipulated him by violence and coercion. Saran's malicious aggression and willingness to torture and kill to maintain control over people reveals a man that is entrenched in authoritarianism.

However, Saran's behaviour is not simply a move for power; he has an intense hatred of magic that is rooted in pain. Earlier in the book, we learn that his family was killed by maji (Adeyemi, p. 186) - this shaped the violent framework in which Saran operates. His historical trauma carries the weight of pain in his political strategy, creating a toxic combination of personal loss and an incessant desire to control.

In the end, Saran's actions reflect how unhealed trauma can lead to oppression. His cruelty is not just about power - it is about fear; fear of change, fear of losing control, and fear of those he oppressed now rising up. Saran is not just simply tyrant; he is a man that is broken and uses cruelty to bring power to a world that he does not understand.

Prompt 4:

Zélie’s Motivation and Unwavering Resolve

Zélie's experience in these chapters is full of unimaginable hurt, but she does not give up. We see this in her declaration: "I won't let them win. I won't let them erase us" (Adeyemi, p. 452). This is a reflection of her initial motivation to restore the magic stripped from her people. No matter how much pain, betrayal, injury, and near death she had experienced, she never seemed to break. What she felt was not simply obligation; it was love: love for her people, love for her fallen mother, and love for Tzain, her younger brother.

In the closing chapters, Zélie's motivation changes. At first, she fights in anger; she wants justice. However, by Chapter 74, she begins to see herself as hope. Her pain actually becomes a reason to keep other people from experiencing pain. What propels her forward becomes more specific in terms of her relationship with Amari where, even though they both see a power transition, they can change their world, even if they are scared. After their shared moments together, they lean into hope.

Zélie embodies the power of collective memory and resistance. She moves ahead not because it’s easy but because not moving ahead would mean giving in to a power that has silenced generations before her. In her struggle against darkness, her decision to be light is what makes her heroic.

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Prompt 2 Response: Hatred, Prejudice, and Oppression

Tomi Adeyemi undeniably conveys in Chapters 65–74 of Children of Blood and Bone that hatred, prejudice, and oppression are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. King Saran is the most explicit example of this. His hatred of magic is not merely personal; it is also institutionalized. He has created a monarchy built on the notion that magic and those who create it (the Maji) are evil and a threat to society. This hatred leads to violent oppression, such as the Raid that resulted in the deaths of many Maji and left Zélie traumatized. Furthermore, King Saran's regime is attempting to abolish magic entirely, not only as a power but also as a culture and identification (p. 294–296).

Inan is caught in the crossfire. His father shaped his understanding that magic is evil, but Zélie and his relationship with her challenges him to do a deeper reckoning with his beliefs. On page 301, Inan thinks, "If I can't accept her magic, I can't accept her." This quote illustrates how deep prejudice can distort even love and acceptance.

Through these characters, Adeyemi wants us to realize unjust discrimination is learned and maintained in relationship to power with fear. The cost is political, but it is very personal because it takes away your relationships, your identity, potential, and dreams. The reality of not being able this to fight oppression to some extent puts character Zélie in all sorts of physical and mental conflicts.

Prompt 3 Response: Inan and Zélie’s Love Without Magic

The relationship between nan and Zélie in these chapters is quite complicated, especially as Inan begins to fantasize about a life with Zélie in a world without magic. While his vision sounds peaceful and hopeful, it exposes a painful truth; Inan is still not able to fully embrace Zélie as she is. For Zélie, magic isn’t simply a tool, it is part of who she is—it is a semblance of her people, her lineage, and her greater purpose. In Chapter 68, Inan states in reference to Zélie, “We could be free if magic was gone. You and me. No fear, no war” (p. 299). While he may mean this, it is evident that this version of freedom erases Zélie’s very being.

Zélie senses this. She realizes that Inan's love is conditional, contingent upon a version of her that is easier for him to accept. There is only so much that magic itself can fix. Reflecting on this, Zélie states on page 312, “He doesn’t want me. He wants the peace that comes without me.” These thoughts suggest that Zélie is becoming significantly aware that his desired peace is built upon full denial, rather than unity.

Adeyemi uses their relationship as a way to ask a more profound question: can love survive if one of the two refuses to fully embrace the truth of the other? In this instance, the answer feels like a heart-wrenching no.

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Response to Prompt 2: Hatred, Prejudice, and Oppression

In Chapters 65–74, Tomi Adeyemi vividly connects the themes of hatred, prejudice, and oppression to show how deeply they are intertwined in the world of Children of Blood and Bone. The author illustrates that hatred often arises from prejudice, which is reinforced and maintained by systemic oppression. For example, the ruling class’s fear and hatred of maji is based on centuries of prejudice against their magic, leading to their violent oppression. This cycle is shown in the text when Saran enforces brutal laws to suppress magic users, reflecting how those in power maintain control through fear and cruelty (p. 273). Adeyemi wants readers to understand that prejudice and oppression are not isolated feelings or actions, but interconnected systems that hurt entire communities. The characters’ struggles—especially Zélie’s—highlight the damaging effects of these forces but also the possibility of breaking free. The narrative suggests that overcoming oppression requires confronting and dismantling prejudice at its root, and that hatred only grows when people allow fear to dictate their actions. Overall, the author uses these themes to prompt readers to think critically about real-world discrimination and the importance of empathy and resistance (p. 278).

Response to Prompt 4: Zélie’s Resolve and Motivation

Zélie’s determination to continue their mission despite overwhelming hardship is driven by her deep desire to restore magic and justice to her people. In these chapters, her resolve strengthens as she witnesses both the suffering of the maji and the devastating consequences of losing their magic (p. 265). She is motivated not only by anger against the oppressive regime but also by hope for a better future where her people can live freely. Zélie’s motivations evolve as she moves from personal revenge to a broader sense of responsibility and leadership. For example, when faced with setbacks, she reminds herself that the mission is bigger than her own pain, showing her growth into a true leader (p. 269). Her commitment is also fueled by love and loyalty to her friends, especially Inan and Amari, which adds emotional depth to her perseverance. Adeyemi portrays Zélie’s journey as one of courage and resilience, emphasizing that strong leaders emerge from hardship and keep fighting for what they believe in, even when the odds seem impossible. This evolution makes her a powerful symbol of hope and change (p. 272).

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Response to Prompt 1

In Chapters 65–74, King Saran shows how cruel and heartless he really is, especially in how he treats Inan. Instead of trying to understand his son’s feelings, he beats him when Inan doesn’t do what he wants. On page 408, Inan says, “He strikes me again. And again. Until the pain no longer registers.” That moment shows that Saran doesn’t care about Inan as a person—he only wants control.

But I don’t think Saran’s actions are just about power. He’s also really scared of magic and what it can do. After what happened in the Raid, he sees magic as a threat to everything. On page 410, he says, “Magic breeds monsters.” That quote shows he truly believes magic is dangerous, and he thinks getting rid of it is the only way to keep peace.

So yeah, Saran is cruel, but there’s more to it than just wanting control. He’s scared, stuck in the past, and uses fear to keep his power. That makes him even worse because he thinks everything he’s doing is right—even when he’s hurting the people closest to him.

Response to Prompt 4

In these chapters, Zélie’s motivation to keep going gets even stronger, even though everything keeps getting harder. She’s tired, hurt, and has lost so much, but she still fights. What really keeps her going is knowing she’s doing this for more than just herself. On page 417, she thinks, “If I don’t fight, who will?” That shows how much she feels the weight of what’s at stake.

At the beginning of the book, Zélie mostly wanted revenge for her mother. But now, she’s fighting for all the maji and for a future where they don’t have to live in fear. She’s becoming a real leader, not just someone reacting out of anger. Even when she’s struggling, she remembers why the mission matters.

Her relationships help too. Tzain, Amari, and even Zélie’s memories of her mother push her forward. They remind her what she’s fighting for. She realizes magic isn’t just about power — it’s about hope and freedom.

Zélie’s resolve is strong because she believes in what she’s doing. She’s not just trying to win — she’s trying to change the world for the better. And that belief is what keeps her going.