Wild Seed

The Atlantic crossing is frightening and new to Anyanwu and Okoye. The ship is different from other ships of its sort: “No one was chained as the slaves on shore had been. No one seemed hurt or frightened” (61). Anyanwu demonstrates who and what she is to Okoye, transforming from a young man to her natural form as a young woman. Anyanwu discovers another of her distant generational past on the boat, a woman named Udenkwo. She meets an attractive white man named Isaac, Doro’s son. In private conversation, Doro and Isaac discuss “sharing” Anyanwu, as part of the normal course of Doro’s breeding program. 

Anyanwu cares for Okoye as he becomes seasick. Doro oversees a wedding ceremony between Okoye and Udenkwo despite Anyanwu’s protests that they are remote kinsman. She comes to better understand that Doro’s power is absolute. Doro declares to Okoye, “You will live. But in exchange for what I give, you will obey me whether I come to you tomorrow or forty years from now” (72).

During a violent storm, Isaac demonstrates his full power as one of Doro’s “best sons” by telekinetically propelling the ship into clear waters.