Mr. Derby Character Analysis in Copper Sun

In Chapter 15, Clay gives Polly a reason for his abuse towards Noah as she doesn’t understand why he hits Noah without “reason”. Draper states, “It shows them that I care enough to make sure they do their tasks correctly. That’s what my father always taught me” (Draper 81). Clay is saying that the slaves being disciplined creates a sense of importance through loyalty to those “above” them. Mr. Derby taught Clay the way of treating slaves and ways to distinguish them from their class. Clay believes that because his dad does it he has to do it as well. At this point in the book, it suggests that Clay takes after his father in everything. The narrator explains that not only does Clay do the things his dad does, but “mirrored his father in looks”(82). The word “mirror” creates the image that Clay not only replicates his father in looks but in his actions as well. Clay treats slaves the same way his dad does, and it’s almost like they could be the same person. Following a parental figure in actions through taught lessons can create different perspectives from others, foreshadowing an isolated place in society.

Mr. Derby explains why he is buying Amari “I want her for my son. Today is his sixteenth birthday!” (77). The sentence “I want her for my son.” implies that Mr.Derby is buying Amari for his son to use as he wants as if she’s an object. It suggests that Clay could have no say in this slave buying but goes along with it because his father does it. The second part of the quote “Today is his sixteenth birthday!” reveals that Mr. Derby intends to use Amari as a gift for Clay, furthering the objectification of women seen throughout the book. Mr.Derby buys Amari so Clay could do things with her after the sun went down, implying the sexual abuse that would leave a traumatic psychological experience on Amari. Following the purchase of Amari, Mr. Derby explains to Clay what they use black women for, “They like it when you pick them out for special favors at night”(86). The saying, “you pick them out” proves that white men like Mr. Derby see black women as an object with no responsibility in life and only used to fulfill desires. Mr.Derby is having Clay grow up to be exactly like him and Clay does not know any better because it has been like this his whole life. The constant discriminative behavior given to one seen differently leaves an advantage to the privileged, who use the advantage unjustly.

After Mr.Derby buys Amari as a worker and present for Clay, she spends the night with Clay and experiences abuse and rape continuously. After Clay has raped Amari, he feels a connection towards her through the time spent together. He uses the absence of love and affection from his father to place it on Amari in hopes of getting a positive answer out of her, even if it’s not truthful. Clay asks Amari, “You like me, don’t you?” (111). Clay needs reassurance from Amari that she likes him and she feels pressured by the way he asks to say that she does like him. If Amari said she didn’t like Clay she would have consequences. Later in the book, Amari runs away with Polly and Tidbit and Clay finds them in the forest.  Clay wants more reassurance from Amari and asks “ I thought you liked me. He touched her face gently” (228). The words “I thought” implies that Clay believed Amari when she said she liked him because he is mainly focused on the person who gave him the attention he wanted in hopes of continuing his relationship with her. The word “gently” evokes the feeling that Clay knows to use manipulative actions and words to make his needs believable and easier to obtain. The author suggests that One’s needs for love and affection are strong, so one will do anything to achieve that even if one uses manipulative actions.