Essay Questions

How does the author build the theme of slavery?

The novel Afterlives is majorly about the evils of slavery. The European masters came to East Africa to colonize Africans and use them as slaves. The Germans introduced religion to manipulate Africans. In addition, they did everything possible to assimilate the locals into German culture for easy manipulation. Ilyas was stolen to work for the Germans as a slave. After escaping, Ilyas came home and did not find his parents because they had already been sold as slaves. However, Ilyas found her sister, Afiya, working as a slave nearby. Therefore, the novel discusses slavery and its negative effects on the locals.

Why were the Germans busy stealing innocent children like Ilyas into their camps?

The German colonial soldiers stole several children to assimilate them into German customs. The colonial soldiers were stationed in several coastal towns in East Africa to steal young people to be part of its cheap labor system. However, some children like Ilyas escaped looking for their families.

How does Afiya’s life change after her brother Ilyas saves her from slavery?

After going through dark moments as an enslaved person, Afiya is finally saved by her brother. Later, Afiya meets Hamza. Hamza was also stolen by the Germans while growing up and worked as a military man. However, Hamza managed to escape. Afiya and Hamza fall in love and get married. Luckily, Hamza gets a job, enabling him to provide for his family.