The Bite of the Mango

After she loses her hands, Mariatu refuses to let a man feed her a mango because she does not want to be “fed like a baby.” What does this choice reflect about her character and her relationship with disability?

Mariatu’s experiences of sexual violence and mutilation can be seen as stealing her childhood innocence. In what ways does she try to reclaim this or come to terms with her new roles?

Kadi, Yambom, and Fatmata are all maternal figures for Mariatu. How do they help her cope with her trauma and move forward with her life?

How does the story about the injured bird relate to the way Mariatu’s attitudes to her disability change throughout the book?

Mariatu is introduced to new cultural experiences when she travels to England and Canada. How does this shape the way she interacts with her family and other Sierra Leoneans?

Family is an important part of Mariatu’s sense of belonging. How does her relationship with her relatives change throughout the book?

Mariatu is only a young child when Salieu rapes her. How does he take advantage of the way other adults treat her?

How does Mariatu’s involvement in the theater troupe help Mariatu recover from her trauma and how does this shape her future choices and actions?