Significance of the moon

The moon shows up in three different ways in the novel. First, it symbolizes the passage of time, as one moon equals one month. Second, it is a symbol of one's people; as an example, Aminata has two crescent moons carved into her cheeks, in adherence to her village's custom. Third, it is a way of anticipating visits. For instance, on St. Helena's Island, Chekura visits Aminata whenever there is a full moon.