Postcolonial Speculative Fiction

Middle Passage/Christian Baptism

The idea that Ayodele sucking the three main characters into a tsunami is an allegory for the Middle Passage and even Christian baptism is so interesting to me. The Middle Passage makes sense, but I think there's a stronger claim in the ways that it's similar to baptism. They are fully emerged in water and are permanently changed by a force that is unknown and greater than them. Because they were chosen they have a unique purpose in helping Ayodele peacefully transition to Nigeria and prepare it for colonization. It's very similar to the missionary work expected of baptized Christians. I do have a question though: you propose that these allegories are postcolonial. Do you think that this was purposefully done by Okorafor or maybe just something she unknowingly did? Is it "good" or "bad?"

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