Whether we're looking into our personal memories or our familial legacy, we can glean tons of insight into the future by looking to the past. In "The People Could Fly," this relationship is portrayed through the metaphor of flight. After having their culture, language, and traditions torn away from them, the African people lose their magical powers. The only way for them to rediscover those powers, of course, is to reconnect with their past. This powerful story is a testament to the power of cultural traditions and the importance of honoring where we come from.
Questions About Memory and the Past
- What is the nature of the "African Mystery" referred to by the story?
- Why can't people remember the magic words after they hear them?
- What does the story say about the nature of folk tales?
- Why does the Master create his own version of the events of the story?
Chew on This
In the story, the idea of gaining secret powers by remembering a lost culture makes it clear that culture is a source of power.
By connecting the power of flight to Africa itself, Hamilton is emphasizing the enslaved people's intrinsic connection to their homeland.