Nya's Story
What has happened to Nya's sister, Akeer?
She develops an illness from drinking dirty water.
"Only two days earlier, Akeer had complained noisily and at length about the pains in her stomach."
How will the group cross the Nile River?
They will use canoes that they have built.
"The group would cross the Nile in boats, Uncle said."
What is plot?
The organization of events in a story.
Why is the orange headscarf significant?
It's the same color that Salva's mother wears.
What happens to Salva's shoes in the desert?
The rubber melted off from the hot stony ground. He had to get rid of them.
What does the nurse say Nya's mother has to do with the water Nya collects for her family?
Boil it for a count of 200.
"If the water is dirty, you should boil it for a count of two hundred before she drinks it."
What was the cause of the groups lack of sleep on the island in the middle of the Nile?
The mosquitoes.
"No one in the group got any sleep. The mosquitoes made sure of that."
Define characterization.
The process in which the author gives personality and physical traits to the characters in a story.
Why is the camp made up of mostly boys and young men?
The armies from both sides were trying to force them to fight in the war.
What is the choice faced by the group when they come across a small group of men in the Akobo desert?
To give some of their water to the men (and risk not having enough for themselves) or let the men die of thirst?
What are the visitors there to discuss with Nya's uncle, the village chief?
"Something about water..." (pg. 51).
What two strategies does Uncle use in the Akobo desert to motivate Salva?
1. He uses his full name to remind him of his family.
2. He breaks the walk up into smaller parts to help Salva feel like he's achieving a goal.
What do the birds often represent or foreshadow in the story?
Death, destruction, predator vs prey.
What does Salva contemplate in the Akobo after seeing the dying men?
He wants to give them some water to help, but is too small and weak to give.
How do the villagers in Nya's village help the strangers with the project?
The men clear the land/women gathered rocks and stones/men broke the rocks into gravel
Where do the visitors say that they will find water in Nya's village?
In between the two trees.
"This is the spot, halfway between the two largest trees. We will find water here."
What happens to Uncle in chapter 10? Why do you think uncle was targeted?
He was shot and killed by Nuer rebel soldiers. He was the leader of the group.
"In the moment before calling out to the woman a second time, Salva realized what Uncle had truly meant--something Salva had known in his heart for a long time: His family was gone."
What is the point of view in this excerpt?
Third person limited.
What does Nya worry about now that Akeer is getting better?
That she will drink the dirty water after she walks to get it for her family.
What does Salva finally admit to himself at the camp that he's always known?
That is family is gone and he will never see them again.
What is the "iron giraffe"?
The drill that will dig for the water.
Salva spends 6 years at the refugee camp in Itang until they force him to leave. Why does he have to leave and where are they forcing him to go?
He has to leave because the government is collapsing and they are not allowing the aid camps to operate.
They are forcing the refugees back to Sudan over the Gilo river.
Name one symbol from the novel and what it represents. *Symbolism is when an object represents an abstract idea or concept.*
1. Gourd: represents survival and water.
2. Mangoes: Salva's sweet memories of his family.
3. Birds: death, chaos, war, destruction.
He uses it as a source of strength to continue on in their honor.
What is the Gilo River known for?
Strong currents and crocodiles.