A Long Way Gone Post 4

(1) Quote 1: "It was infuriating to be told what to do by civilians."
By: Ishmael Beah
Page: 139
Relates to Question: 3-4

(2) The significance of this quote is that it shows how Ishmael feels after living many years with no laws, no rules and no one to listen to or give him instructions. Even though people here in America may not consider listening to civilians "infuriating", Ishmael believes that civilians don't have the right to be listened to. In Ishmael's head, he thinks that the civilians didn't fight for Sierra Leone, so they don't deserve respect. I think he has just forgotten what it was like to live in a war zone, what his old life was like and that he himself would have been considered one of those civilians.

(3) I can agree with Ishmael slightly, because I don not like listening and taking orders from people when it seems like they aren't doing anything and I have done everything. I do not agree with Ishmael in this case because not everyone is able to fight. Even if everyone was able to fight, who says they would be on his side. I think he just needed to take out his anger, and blame it on someone.

(4) Question 1: Why do you think Ishmael doesn't like taking orders or being told what to do by innocent civilians? Even if some of them might have gone through what he has.
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(1) Quote 2: "The war memories had formed a barrier that I had to break in order to think about any moment in my life before the war."
By: Ishmael Beah
Page: 149
Relates to Question: 3-4

(2) I chose this quote because it shows how the war has effected him mentally. I think it is important to show the toll is has had on him because that is what many soldiers (both adult and child) go through every single day. It relates to questions 3 and 4 because it shows the challenges he has to overcome in his home country. He needs to overcome these challenges so he can become less violent and dangerous.

(3) I am surprised that Ishmael got caught up in the war so easily. Before he fought for the Army, he was very nice and it seemed like he really cared about surviving the war. I thought he would not want to be part of the fighting, but I was wrong. I think Ishmael is very smart, and I think he will break his "barrier" faster than many of the other child soldiers.

(4) Question 2: Do you think Ishmael will be able to completely break down his "barrier"? Do you think he will need more help from the staff, or do you think he can do it on his own?