A Long Way Gone
chapters 5-8
Conflicts
Man vs Nature
During these chapters, Ishmael is trying to survive in the wild of Sierra Leone by himself. He must survive through hunger, exhaustion, and threats from animals. These issues lead to him eating potentially harmful fruit, and dodging snakes and wild hogs.
Man vs Man/Man vs Society
Ishmael's journey leads him to several conflicts with various groups. Not only are Ishmael and his friends captured by a group of rebels in Mattru Jong, but they are captured by men with machetes on multiple occasions. Additionally, people often run from Ishmael and his friends in fear whenever they need help.
Man vs Self
In this story, Ishmael is faced with lots of struggles, the most significant of which may be his struggle with himself. At one point, Ishmael is too afraid to think about anything because it will make him feel lonely or terrified. This results in him not being able to sleep because he is afraid of what he may dream about.
Internal Characterization
During these chapters, Ishmael has an ongoing battle with hunger. As he tries to survive in the wild forests, he doesn't know what he can and can not eat anymore. This hunger leads him to steal food from a young boy, climb tree that he couldn't otherwise climb, and dare him to eat an unknown, potentially poisonous fruit.
Setting
Much of these chapters take place in the forests of Sierra Leone, where Ishmael and his friends wonder looking for a safe place, far away from the rebels. This setting plays a role in the conflicts that Ishmael goes through.
Vocabulary
Indelibly
"To this day, I have an excellent photographic memory that enables me to remember details of the day-to-day moments of my life, indelibly." (Beah 51)
1. making marks that cannot be erased, removed, or the like:
2. that cannot be eliminated, forgotten, changed, or the like:
Maiming
"These children now patrolled in special units. killing and maiming civilians." (Beah 37)
According to Dictionary.com, maiming means:
1. To deprive of the use of some part of the body by wounding or the like;cripple
2. To impair; make essentially defective:
Historical Connection
The Rebels of Sierra Leone vs American Revolution
The rebels in this story are trying to overthrow a government they oppose so that they can form a new government. In the American Revolution, American forces fought Britain for their right to be free and form their own government. While there are still many differences between these two groups, these are very similar fundamentals.