Page 199, Ishmael.
"I am from Sierra Leone, and the problem that is affecting us children is the war that forces us to run away from our homes, lose our families, and aimlessly roam the forests. As a result, we get involved in the conflict as soldiers, carriers of loads, and in many other difficult tasks. All this is because of starvation, the loss of our families, and the need to feel safe and be part of something when all else has been broken down. I joined the army really because of the loss of my family and starvation. I wanted to avenge the deaths of my family. I also had to get some food to survive, and the only way to do that was to be part of the army. It was not easy being a soldier, but we just had to do it. I have been rehabilitated now, so don't be afraid of me. I am not a soldier anymore; I am a child. "
Ishmael went from fearing and running from the rebels, to needing and depending to be in the army, then peaceful remembrance on what it is to be human. Then he runs right back into what he ran from, and what he became addicted to once again. This time both the army and the RUF, working against him to the point where he is trapped.
Ishmael doesn't is just trying to educate people. He tells everyone the darkest parts of his life, from the deepest parts of his heart. I think it was really good of him to do it.
Why do you think it was possible for Ishmael to like being a soldier in the first place?
Page 209: Line 25, Ishmael.
"I'll let you know where I end up."
Ishmael's journey wasn't easy. But the hard part wasn't getting into America, it was getting out of Sierra Leon. He didn't know exactly where his journey would end.
I'm not sure exactly what this shows about Ishmael. Ishmael is brave. He daring to go out and try to become freed from the war. But at the same time only he is getting out, I feel like maybe he just left everyone else behind to rot.
Did Ishmael leave the people behind? What do you think that says about him?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Long Way Gone: 3
Page 113: Line 1, the sleeping Sheku and Josiah.
"Paw paw, boom"
"One, two."
This is another reason why Ishmael left Sierra Leon. Instead of smiling while they sleep, these nine and eleven year old boys are visualizing the deaths of their enemies. Instead of sleeping soundly they are chanting the sounds of gunshots and them stabbing their enemies with bayonets.
This makes me wonder about the thoughts of the commander in this outpost of the army. What kind of man would make soldiers out of boys. Even when they need stools to even lift, let alone shoot their weapons.
What kind of man makes soldiers out of boys?
Page 115: Line 20, the corporal.
"If you see anyone without a head tie of this color or a helmet like mine, shoot him"
There is no difference between the enemy, and the people that are watching your back in these battles. The only thing that marks them as your enemy is a colored ribbon you wear that they don't. They look just like you. They probably could be next to you if they had been in a different place at a different time.
This is where I start to judge the character of the rebels? Are they really all that bad? Most of them are just kids. Forced into whatever role they now play. Just as the army forces children into their power. It's all about what side your on, but that's decided as simply as who you run into when your running, and everyone is running.
Is the army and better than the rebels? How?
"Paw paw, boom"
"One, two."
This is another reason why Ishmael left Sierra Leon. Instead of smiling while they sleep, these nine and eleven year old boys are visualizing the deaths of their enemies. Instead of sleeping soundly they are chanting the sounds of gunshots and them stabbing their enemies with bayonets.
This makes me wonder about the thoughts of the commander in this outpost of the army. What kind of man would make soldiers out of boys. Even when they need stools to even lift, let alone shoot their weapons.
What kind of man makes soldiers out of boys?
Page 115: Line 20, the corporal.
"If you see anyone without a head tie of this color or a helmet like mine, shoot him"
There is no difference between the enemy, and the people that are watching your back in these battles. The only thing that marks them as your enemy is a colored ribbon you wear that they don't. They look just like you. They probably could be next to you if they had been in a different place at a different time.
This is where I start to judge the character of the rebels? Are they really all that bad? Most of them are just kids. Forced into whatever role they now play. Just as the army forces children into their power. It's all about what side your on, but that's decided as simply as who you run into when your running, and everyone is running.
Is the army and better than the rebels? How?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Long Way Gone: 2
Page 56: Line 29, an old man with no name.
"I will not be alive to see the end of this war. So, to save a place in your memories for other things, I won't tell you my name. If you survive this war, just remember me as the old men you met. You boys should be on your way."
This is another example of the hardships of the land Ishmael came from. There is an old man with rebels on the way, that has been left behind because he could not walk and the people could not carry him. He is, in a way, waiting for death.
But he is not bitter of the people for leaving, he is not sad. But he helps the boys the best way he can and tries to save the lives of as many people as possible, before accepting his own fate. This man faces the hardest hardship ever, death, but he bears it. Because, it is best for others.
Do you think it is wrong for the towns people to leave the old man? Would you be bitter if you were left?(Be honest![you know you would be])
Page 70: Line 13, Saidu.
"Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am."
This probably is the most obvious reason why Ishmael came to America. Well, all the reasons are obvious. But this really struck me as to what it felt like, and how horrible they really felt. They literally felt like they were dying.
Saidu really pops out as a character. Before he had never been heard from. He was quite and you never really heard from him. Then he said this, and you understood why. He went through things that couldn't be left behind or forgotten, and it killed him.
Have you ever felt like you could die?
"I will not be alive to see the end of this war. So, to save a place in your memories for other things, I won't tell you my name. If you survive this war, just remember me as the old men you met. You boys should be on your way."
This is another example of the hardships of the land Ishmael came from. There is an old man with rebels on the way, that has been left behind because he could not walk and the people could not carry him. He is, in a way, waiting for death.
But he is not bitter of the people for leaving, he is not sad. But he helps the boys the best way he can and tries to save the lives of as many people as possible, before accepting his own fate. This man faces the hardest hardship ever, death, but he bears it. Because, it is best for others.
Do you think it is wrong for the towns people to leave the old man? Would you be bitter if you were left?(Be honest![you know you would be])
Page 70: Line 13, Saidu.
"Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am."
This probably is the most obvious reason why Ishmael came to America. Well, all the reasons are obvious. But this really struck me as to what it felt like, and how horrible they really felt. They literally felt like they were dying.
Saidu really pops out as a character. Before he had never been heard from. He was quite and you never really heard from him. Then he said this, and you understood why. He went through things that couldn't be left behind or forgotten, and it killed him.
Have you ever felt like you could die?
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