The Bitter Side of Sweet

“I’ve never been too friendly with the other boys. It just hurts too much to care, and all of my caring is used up with Seydou. If I had to, though, I would trust Yussuf above the others. He smiles a lot like he means it. In a place like this, that’s rare.” 

Developing friendship and trust with the other boys at the farm is not a priority for Amadou. He has his hands full with trying to keep himself and Seydou alive and out of trouble. This shows how forced labor and the bosses’ cruelty can take a toll on a person’s humanity. Amadou has no attention to spare to give or receive kindness and friendship. The quote also introduces Yussuf, a character who manages to maintain humanity and kindness towards the other boys, despite their situation.

“I’m just about to sit, joining the other boys, when the girl’s eyes snap off the ground and lock into mine. I take a step away. Wide and dark in her oval face, her eyes are asking for help. But I have enough to worry about with Seydou and myself. I have no more help left to give. And so I look away. When I glance at her again, her eyes have turned hard.”

Sullivan repeatedly describes characters’ eyes to show what they are feeling internally. Here, Khadija’s eyes first ask for help, then harden as Amadou looks away. This shows the fierce side of her personality, as well as foreshadows the rocky start her friendship with Amadou will have. Amadou’s choice to look away is another example of how life on the farm has made him callused towards others. To survive and protect Seydou, he has learned to stop caring.