by Nicky D.
Summary of the characters
Ishmael Beah, born in Sierra Leone had told his own story of his memories as a boy solider. Many Tragedies had taken place in the life of Ishmael and his brother Junior. The two brothers had gone away to perform in a rap group with friends, when a civil war had broken out in Sierra Leone and they were unable to return home. Leaving their families behind had been their only choice. Though it was difficult for Ishmael to handle with constant flashbacks of his family, Ishmael had been very understanding and strong. Throughout the novel Ishmael had also been very caring, selfless, hopeful, courageous, passionate, pliable and outgoing. Later on in the novel after Ishmael had lost his family, he had been put into the government army and the army had slowly become his family. Ishmael had become easily influenced and had followed and believed what they had taught him to, Ishmael had begun to commit terrible acts, acts many would not have thought of.
Junior, Ishmael’s brother had demonstrated many different characteristics throughout the novel, junior had been very protective towards Ishmael, much like a father figure. Junior had also been very caring, sensitive, and had his moments of being very quiet, though junior had tried being very strong for his little brother. Many tragedies had a large impact on the lives of the young boys though the relationship between the boys was inseparable.
Questions related to the characters
1. “Blood was running down her dress and dripping behind her, making a trail. Her child had been shot dead...” “Junior, Talloi and I looked at each other and knew that we must return to Mattru Jong, because we had seen the Mogbwemo was no longer a place to call home and that our parents could possibly be there anymore...” What does this quote tell you about Ishmael Beah?
2. “Junior gave me his bucket, took my empty one, and returned to the river.” What does this quote tell you about the relationship between Ishmael and Junior?
3. How old is Ishmael Beah?
4. How many brothers does Ishmael have? What are their names?
5. How old is Ishmael?
6. Why does Ishmael not go to school?
7. Why does Ishmael not speak to his father?
8. What did Ishmael do to kill time when he was alone for over a month? Who became his new "friend."?
9. How does Laura Simms help Ishmael?
10. Who is the officer in charge of training the boy soldiers under Lieutenant Jabati?
2) This quote tells us that Junior is a loving brother, cares deeply for Ishmael, and is willing to make personal sacrifices in order to ensure his brother's happiness and well-being. Once he gets back, the first thing Junior does is ask Ishmael if he's hurt from falling. Ishmael tells him no, but Junior examines his brother's elbows and knees anyway just to make sure.
ReplyDeleteStephen H.
3) and 5) Ishmael Beah was born on November 23rd, 1980. When the story begins, in January 1993, he is 12 years old. Over the next few months, he flees the fighting before being recruited as a child soldier at the age of 13. He and 14 other boys are withdrawn from service by UNICEF in the last weeks of January 1996, when Ishmael is 15 years old. He finally escapes from Sierra Leone at the end of October 1997, at the age of 16.
ReplyDeleteStephen H.
4) Ishmael had two brothers: Junior, an older brother who lived with him in Mogbwemo and with whom he escaped Mattru Jong, and Ibrahim, a younger brother who lived with their mother in a village about 3 miles away.
ReplyDeleteStephen H.
9) Ishmael meets Laura Simms, a storyteller, during the United Nations conference in New York City. They become good friends, and when Ishmael returns to Sierra Leone she often writes and sends him money, which helps him greatly on his odyssey out of the country. When he reaches the United States, Laura Simms becomes Ishmael's foster mother.
ReplyDeleteStephen H.