post 3

A Long Way Gone 

Ishmael Beah

quote 1: Ishmael's Grandmother, page 88 paragraph 1

"His temporary journey in this world has ended."

I chose this quote because of Ishmael's job as soldier in Sierra Leone. Ishmael's goal was to kill others, and now it has happened to one of his close freinds. I think that this gave Ishmael a real reality check, because up until now, no death has really affected him personally. On a reader's perspective note, it also helped me understand the gravity of the situation Ishmael and his traveling party are in. I think that Ishmael now realizes that he is going to have to get to his final destination on the far side of Sierra Leone faster, or they will not make it.

Personal Connection:

To think that someone could die of exhaustion is hard to think about. I am tired enough after doing something that involves great endurance, but to think that someone could die from it, it blows my mind.  

Question 1:

What would you do differently in Ishmael's current situation. How would you react to to the long journey ahead? Would you be motivated?

Quote 2: Page 108 paragraph 2

"They have lost everything that makes them human. They do not deserve to live. That is why we must kill every single one of them. Think of it as destroying a great evil. It is the highest service you can do for your country."

I chose this quote because it seemed just as Ishmael was about to forget his bloodstained past, it was renewed again in his mind.  Ishmael also described how he would get migrane headaches, as well as have horrible nightmares of death and despair. It also seemed that Ishmael was too shy to take the gun offered to him by the lieutenant to fight for his country. Ishmael was still only 13 at the time, and if it were me, I would be terrified as well. 

Personal Connection:

I dont have a personal connection, but that makes me all the more motivated to write about one. I cannot even begin to fathom what it must be like to see death by a painful means. And to inflict death upon others is something I care not to think about.  

Question 2: Would a speech like this one fire you up and make you want to go out and fight for a cause? why?