What are the major themes of Roots by Alex Haley?

I think two of the major themes that can be identified in
this impressive text is the theme of coming of age and then the theme of human rights.
Critics have argued that the first section of this text is essentially a coming-of-age
tale as Kunta Kinte goes through a series of experiences which teach him how to be an
adult. The way he is instructed as a young child by hearing stories that teach him his
place in the world is focused on, as is the formal period of training that he undergoes
to be a man and going through a rite of passage that enables him to have the symbols of
manhood: his own farm and hut.

However, tragically, being
sold into slavery means that Kunta has to repeat this process, but in a very different
context, as he learns a new langauge and culture. However, being a slave means that you
are never able to become an adult. Kunta is trapped in the role of a child as he is
subject to the whims and desires of those above him and is not given the opportunity to
take responsibility for his own actions.

Also, this text is
above all about human dignity and human rights. The overwhelming message of this
narrative is the way in which slavery and human rights are mutually exclusive. Most
poignantly this is shown in the way in which family members are sold without respect for
family relations as is shown when the daughter of Kunta and Bell is sold against their
wishes. It is in such scenes that the ultimate cruelty and demeaning attitude of
treating humans as disposable bits of property is revealed. The way in which sold slaves
have no further links with their families is very disturbing, and the irony of this is
shown in the way that Master Waller, who is depicted as a fair master, can get Kunta to
take him to see his family whenever he wants, but when he sells Kizzy, Kunta knows that
he will never be able to see her again. The threat of separation and the way it
disturbingly lurks around the central characters reinforces the basic lack of dignity
and rights that is associated with slavery.