Redemption

"Elvis stepped forward and spoke. 'Yes, this is Redemption'" (321). 

I intentionally saved the discussion of Redemption's name for the end. Redemption seemed always to be trying to earn his name, but always doing it in the wrong way. He tried to help Elvis out of each bad situation he came across, from start to finish, but always ended up doing the right thing the wrong way. From getting Elvis involved in drug trafficking, and eventually human trafficking, Redemption seemed to be more trouble than help, but his intentions were often good. Finally at the end, Redemption gives Elvis his passport as a final act of redemption. By passing his identity on to Elvis, however, an interesting shift happens. The name takes on a new meaning in the hands of Elvis, and as he boards the plane he says, "Yes, this is Redemption." Clearly, this is pointing at the fact that Elvis is given a new identity, and therefore a new chance to save—that is, redeem—himself. I think Redemption recognized that Elvis simply wasn't cut out of life in Lagos, and that he didn't hadn't hardened himself enough to survive much longer in Lagos. Furthermore, Redemption realized that Lagos was his home, and he was holding onto the passport "for dream," instead of intending to actually go to America (317).
Elvis leaving the country shouldn't be viewed as an abandonment, however. In fact, Elvis protests, saying, "But this country is just as good as America" (318). The departure should be seen as an act of self-preservation, instead of as Elvis giving his country up.