Setting & Context
Where is Ishmael Beah's hometown?
Mogbwemo
Which group forces Ishmael to become a child solider?
The Revolutionary United Front
What event causes Ishmael & his friends to leave their village?
An attack from the rebels
How is flashback used in the book?
To provide background context for the characters in the story.
What is the major theme of the book, A Long Way Gone?
the horrors of war
A Long Way Gone is written in _________________ person narration.
First
What is the significance of rap music in the book?
it connects him to his past and keeps his sanity
What role does rap music play in Ishmael's life during the early part of the story?
It is a symbol of his childhood normalcy
What literary device is used by Beah when describing the landscape?
Simile
What transformation does Ishmael go through in the book?
From victim to survivor
What does the Forest represent in A Long Way Gone?
his search for safety and survival
How does Ishmael describe his relationship with his parents?
loving and supportive
What is the main source of conflict in the 1st half of the book?
Avoiding capture by the rebels
How is dialogue used?
To add depth to the character by revealing their thoughts and emotions
How does Ishmael's story end?
He moves to the US and writes a book & does motivational speaking
How does Ishmael's experience reflect the broader impact of war on society?
it shows the destruction of communities and families
Who does Ishmael live with in the beginning of the book?
His parents & brothers
What type of war takes place in A Long Way Gone?
A civil war
Which literary style is the book written in?
autobiographical memior
What does the author think about the loss of childhood?
He thinks that it is devastating and life-changing
How does Beah create tension in the 1st half of the memoir?
Through vivid description of danger and uncertainty
What is the significance of Ishmael's return to his village?
it is a painful reminder of what he has lost
How does Ishmael's view of violence change over time?
he becomes desensitized to it and participates willingly
Name 3 themes in the book
war and the loss of innocence in childhood
What is the main thing Beah wants the reader to take away from the book?
that children can survive and recover from childhood trauma