a long way gone essay questions

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• A Long Way Gone: Novel Summary: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5
• A Long Way Gone: Novel Summary: Chapter 6 - Chapter 10
• A Long Way Gone: Novel Summary: Chapter 11 - Chapter 15
• A Long Way Gone: Novel Summary: Chapter 16 - Chapter 21
• A Long Way Gone: Character Profiles
• A Long Way Gone: Metaphor Analysis
• A Long Way Gone: Theme Analysis
• A Long Way Gone: Top Ten Quotes
• A Long Way Gone: Biography: Ishmael Beah

A Long Way Gone: Essay Q&A

Essay Q&A

1. What does Ishmael say the war is about?

Ishmael says nothing about the causes of the war, or what each side was fighting for, or of the overall political and social conditions in Sierra Leone that caused the war. This was a deliberate strategy on the part of Beah, the author. He wanted to present the war through the eyes of a child. As a boy of twelve, when the war first affected him, he had no interest in politics. He had no reason to be interested—his main interest, understandably for a boy of his age, was in singing and dancing to rap music and hanging out with his friends. When the war comes to him, it is for him a battle for personal survival, not a political cause. He is also fueled by feelings of revenge—instilled into him by his army officers—against the rebels because they killed his family. Once again, these are personal feelings not political beliefs. For the reader, then, transported to a land he or she knows nothing about (for the American reader, that is), the war seems not only almost unimaginably brutal but also meaningless. It consists of one side mindlessly killing the other, and vice versa, in skirmishes in small villages. Ishmael does report Lieutenant Jabati’s speeches to his men, in which he says they are defending their country (“We kill them [the rebels] for the good and betterment of this country” [p. 123]), but such appeals to patriotism are not what inspire Ishmael. Ishmael’s ignorance of politics is again stressed when he is in Freetown during his rehabilitation and sees a convoy of cars and military vans. He is told that the new president, Tejan  Kabbah, who had won an election eight months earlier is passing by. “I had never heard of this man,” Ishmael writes pointedly. This confirms the tenor of the book as a whole: Ishmael is a boy caught up in a war he knows nothing about for a cause he does not care about.

2. Why was the war fought and what course did it take?

During the 1980s Sierra Leone was a one-party state governed by the All-People’s Congress (APC) party.  However, this period was marked by extensive government corruption and abuse of power. Although Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources it became one of the poorest countries in the world because of mismanagement. The civil war in neighboring Liberia helped to create conditions for war in Sierra Leone because a Liberian war leader reportedly sponsored the rebel group called the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) as a way of destabilizing Sierra Leone, which at the time was a base for a United Nations peacekeeping force. 

The war broke out in 1991 in villages in eastern Sierra Leone that were near the Liberian border. The aim of the RUF was to seize and control the diamond sector, and in 1991 it took control of the diamond mines in the Kono district.  (It is the mining area around Ishmael’s home town of Mogbwemo that the rebels seize in 1993.)  In 1992 a military coup took place that established the National Provisional Ruling Council, replacing the civilian government. However, the new military government was powerless to prevent the RUF from controlling much of the country. It was the years immediately after this, from 1993 to January 1996, that Ishmael was a soldier. The war continued after Ishmael was rescued from it, as he himself found out when he went to stay with his uncle in Freetown after his rehabilitation. There had been an election in April 1996, and a civilian government had taken power, but in May 1997 there was another military coup, and the new military government known as the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) invited the RUF to participate in it. The following year, when Beah was safely in the United States,  the military government was ousted and the civilian government restored. But this did not stop the violence as the AFRC and its RUF allies fought to regain power. Fighting returned to Freetown in 1999, before a peace accord was signed in July 1999.  But this did not last, and the war dragged on, finally ending in  January 2002, with the civilian government in charge. According to the CIA ’s World Factbook , the civil war resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than two million people—about one-third of the population of Sierra Leone.

3. What is the situation in Sierra Leone today?

According to the CIA’s World Factbook , Sierra Leone is gradually returning to a fully democratic government following the ravages of the civil war. There was a general election in 2007 that led to one civilian government being peacefully replaced by another.

The nation has also tried to come to terms with the recent past. In 2002 the government set up a Special Court to try those responsible for war crimes during the civil war. It also set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Special Court indicted many of those held responsible for the atrocities. Some died before they could be tried, but in June 2007, the Special Court found three men guilty of war crimes, including not only murder, terrorism, and enslavement but also the act of conscripting or enlisting children under fifteen into the armed forces.

As refugees from the war are slowly returning from neighboring countries, the Sierra Leone government is trying to create jobs and end political corruption. Revenues from diamond mining have increased significantly since the end of the war. Diamonds account for about half of Sierra Leone’s exports. However, Sierra Leone, with a population estimated in 2009 as 5,132,138, remains an extremely poor country with wide disparities in how wealth is distributed. According to the World Factbook, “The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad.”

4. How widespread is the use of child soldiers?

It would be comforting to think that the forced conscription of children into the armed forces during the war in Sierra Leone was an aberration, not something that can happen again in the modern world. However, that is  not the case. Even in the twenty-first century, the use of child soldiers is common in armed conflicts around the world. According to Human Rights watch, an international nongovernmental organization, as of 2007, there were an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 children fighting in various wars. According to a Global Report published in 2008 by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, at the end of 2007 children were used as soldiers in seventeen armed conflicts around the globe. The coalition noted that this was down from twenty-seven conflicts in 2004, but the downturn was more because the conflicts had ended than because child soldiers were no longer being recruited. The Global Report identified the following countries where children were recruited for paramilitaries, militias, civilian defense forces or armed groups linked to or supported by governments: Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Libya, Myanmar, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Uganda. The most flagrant offender, according to the Global Report, is Myanmar, where the government uses thousands of children in its battle against rebel groups. In Uganda, tens of thousands of children have been forced into joining armies over a period of nearly twenty-five years. In some of these countries, including Uganda, girls as well as boys have been forced to become soldiers.

There have in recent years been concerted international efforts to end the use of child soldiers. Sierra Leone, which has tried and convicted men responsible for recruiting child soldiers, has become a leader in this issue. The use of child soldiers has now been prohibited by international law. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict has been ratified by 120 states. The UN Security Council has adopted resolutions calling for the establishment of a monitoring mechanism on children and armed conflict. However, these and other prohibitions are no guarantee that when new conflicts break out, child soldiers will not be recruited.

5. Is Beah’s story factually accurate?

A Long Way Gone achieved popular and critical success, but questions have been raised by some regarding the factual accuracy of a number of events Beah recounts in the book. Beah writes that his village was attacked in January 1993 and after that he became a refugee from the war. Critics claim that there are school records showing that Beah was in school later than this date, and that the village was attacked in 1995, not 1993. This would mean that Beah would actually have been recruited at the age of fifteen, not thirteen as he writes in the book. This would have meant that he was only a child soldier for a few months, rather than over two years. Some critics point to the structure of the book to confirm this. They point out that most of the book deals with Beah’s wanderings as a refugee and the months he spent in rehabilitation. Only two chapters (13 and 14) cover his actual experiences as a soldier (although he does present more incidents from his military service at various points in flashbacks).  Questions have also been raised about the account Beah gives of the fight between the former boy soldiers at the rehabilitation home, in which several boys were killed. There are no independent reports of such a fight ever taking place. Some believe that Beah used others’ experiences as his own and that he embellished his tale. They point to his interest in creative writing at Oberlin College and the fact that his adoptive mother was a storyteller. The suggestion is that Beah was encouraged by those around him to tell a more vivid story. Others have more charitably suggested that Beah simply got his dates mixed up, and his memory may have been unreliable because on his own admission he was high on drugs most of the time he was in military service. Beah has vehemently denied that he invented anything, however. In an article published in Publishers Weekly in 2008, Beah wrote, “Sad to say, my story is all true.” 

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A Long Way Gone

Ishmael beah, everything you need for every book you read..

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

A Long Way Gone: Introduction

A long way gone: plot summary, a long way gone: detailed summary & analysis, a long way gone: themes, a long way gone: quotes, a long way gone: characters, a long way gone: symbols, a long way gone: theme wheel, brief biography of ishmael beah.

Historical Context of A Long Way Gone

• Full Title: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
• When Written: 2007
• Where Written: New York City
• When Published: 2007
• Genre: Memoir
• Setting: Sierra Leone, 1990’s
• Climax: Beah’s first battle as a child soldier
• Antagonist: Lieutenant Jabati
• Point of View: First Person Autobiography

Extra Credit for A Long Way Gone

Beah’s Return to Sierra Leone. In 2009, Beah was accompanied by an ABC camera crew in the return to his home of Sierra Leone, which he had not been back to since fleeing for New York City in October of 1997.

Saved by a blockbuster. The song on Beah’s cassette, which saves the boys twice, “O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature, reached the 6th position on the Billboard Top 100 in the United States in 1992.

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Essays on A Long Way Gone

What makes a good a long way gone essay topics.

When it comes to writing an essay on A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good essay topic should be thought-provoking, engaging, and provide ample material for discussion. Here are some recommendations on how to brainstorm and choose the best essay topic for A Long Way Gone.

When brainstorming for essay topics, it's important to consider the themes and motifs present in the book. A Long Way Gone deals with heavy topics such as war, loss, survival, and the human spirit. These themes can serve as a great starting point for generating essay ideas.

Consider the characters and their development throughout the book. Ishmael Beah's journey from child soldier to advocate for peace offers a wealth of material for analysis and discussion.

Think about the historical and cultural context of the book. A Long Way Gone is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War, and delving into the historical background can lead to compelling essay topics.

A good essay topic for A Long Way Gone should be specific and focused. It should allow for in-depth analysis and exploration of the text, rather than a broad and general topic.

Best A Long Way Gone Essay Topics

When it comes to A Long Way Gone essay topics, there are plenty of creative and thought-provoking options to choose from. Here are some of the best essay topics that stand out and offer unique angles for exploration:

• The impact of trauma on Ishmael Beah's character development
• The role of storytelling and literature in coping with trauma
• The portrayal of child soldiers in A Long Way Gone
• The theme of hope and resilience in the face of adversity
• The moral ambiguity of war and violence in the book
• The portrayal of masculinity and vulnerability in the book
• The theme of loss and the search for identity in A Long Way Gone
• The role of music and culture in the protagonist's journey
• The portrayal of friendship and camaraderie in the face of hardship
• The ethical implications of Ishmael Beah's advocacy work
• The impact of Western intervention on the Sierra Leone Civil War
• The theme of dehumanization and the loss of innocence in the book
• The portrayal of family and community in A Long Way Gone
• The role of education and literacy in the rehabilitation of child soldiers
• The theme of forgiveness and reconciliation in the book
• The impact of war on mental health and psychological well-being
• The portrayal of hopelessness and despair in the face of war
• The theme of power and agency in the book
• The role of religion and spirituality in coping with trauma
• The portrayal of the human capacity for resilience and healing

A Long Way Gone essay topics Prompts

Looking for some creative prompts to inspire your A Long Way Gone essay? Here are five engaging and thought-provoking prompts to get you started:

• Imagine yourself in Ishmael Beah's shoes. How would you cope with the trauma and challenges he faced? What lessons can be drawn from his resilience and survival?
• A Long Way Gone portrays the impact of war on childhood and innocence. Discuss the portrayal of child soldiers in the book, and the ethical implications of their recruitment and rehabilitation.
• Analyze the role of storytelling and literature in A Long Way Gone. How does Ishmael Beah use storytelling as a means of coping with trauma, and what does this reveal about the power of narrative?
• The theme of hope and resilience is central to A Long Way Gone. Explore the moments of hope and humanity in the book, and discuss how they contribute to the protagonist's journey of healing and reconciliation.
• Consider the impact of Western intervention on the Sierra Leone Civil War, as portrayed in A Long Way Gone. What are the ethical implications of foreign involvement in conflicts, and how does the book shed light on this complex issue?

These prompts are designed to spark creativity and critical thinking, and provide a starting point for exploring the themes and motifs present in A Long Way Gone. Happy writing!

A Long Way Gone Theme Analysis

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Critical Reflection on a Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

The memoir of ishmael beah as depicted in his book, a long way gone, a long way gone: uncovering the true fiction behind ishmael beah’s recount of his life story, critical analysis of a long way gone by ishmael beah, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Discussion on Whether We Perpetuate The Stereotypes of Africa by Reading a Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

The lack of compassion in "lord of the flies" and "long way gone".

February 13, 2007

Ishmael Beah

Memoir, Biography

History, Civil War

Ishmael Beah, Junior, Musa, Alhaji, Kanei, Jumah, Moriba, Saidu, Lieutenant Jabati, Corporal Gadafi, Uncle Tommy, Esther, Laura Simms, Gibrilla, Talloi, Kaloko, Khalilou, Mohamed, Father, Mother, Mamie Kpana, Ibrahim, Sheku, Josiah, Gasemu, Mr. Kamara, Leslie, Aunt Sallay, Allie, Dr. Tamba, Bah

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A Long Way Gone Comprehension & Essay Questions (Editable Test)

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A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah 30 Reading comprehension questions + 10 Essay questions that cover many aspects of the book.

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A Long Way Gone

86 pages • 2 hours read

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

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Introduction-Chapter 4

Chapters 5-9

Chapters 10-13

Chapters 14-17

Chapters 18-21

Key Figures

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Important Quotes

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Summary and Study Guide

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider is a memoir published in 2007 by the Sierra Leonean author and activist Ishmael Beah . The book recounts the author’s experiences as a 12-year-old boy in war-torn Sierra Leone. Forced to serve as a child soldier for three years in the 1990s during the Sierra Leone Civil War, Beah wrote the book to highlight the horrific impact of war on children. Nominated for a 2007 Quill Award for Best Debut Author, A Long Way Gone also appeared on Amazon’s list of 100 books to read in a lifetime.

This study guide refers to the 2008 edition published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

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The author presents the narrative from the perspective of a child who experiences unimaginable loss, witnesses and is coerced into participating in extreme violence, and who has no comprehension of the political events that precipitated Sierra Leone’s civil war. Following the peaceful years of his early childhood, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) kills Ishmael's family and coerces him to serve as a boy soldier in his native Sierra Leone from the age of 12 to 15. Civil war commenced in the country in 1991 when the RUF conducted a coup in an effort to overthrow Joseph Mohmoh’s government; the conflict lasted until 2002, resulting in fifty thousand deaths and the displacement of a million Sierra Leoneans. Former Liberian president Charles Taylor was convicted of various war crimes committed in Sierra Leone, including murder, slavery, and the impressment of child soldiers.

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Ishmael’s first person narrative, which alternates between descriptions of his current life and flashbacks to incidents related to the war, does not emphasize the political ramifications of the conflict. He relates his experiences of the loss of his family members, survival alone in the forest, starvation, and eventually being pressed into military service at the age of 12. His senior officers distribute amphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana to the soldiers daily to sustain their ability to engage in brutal guerrilla warfare for lengthy time periods. The author becomes addicted to these substances and participates in violent acts of war against both the RUF and civilians, as ordered by his commanders. Ishmael writes about the war as he experienced it, which was from the hazy, terrified, perspective of a starving child coerced into capitulation.

During his third year of military service, he is chosen to be one of a group of boys brought to a rehabilitation facility in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he heals under the care of compassionate workers and that of a paternal uncle whom he meets for the first time. He is chosen to attend the first United Nations Children’s Conference where he speaks about his ordeals and meets the woman who eventually becomes his adoptive mother.

A Long Way Gone is written as an honest portrayal of events from the author’s perspective as a child. He neither exaggerates nor sugarcoats the realities of war, and he avoids rationalization of his actions or pandering for the pity of the reader. His intention is to provide a realistic view of the horrific consequences of war on children. 

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A Long Way Gone Questions and Answers

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A Long Way Gone

How did kanei become a refugee, how did alhaja become a refugee, how did jumah and moriba become a refugee, how did saudi become a refugee, what fell out of the sky that the boys ate, what happened to one of ishmael’s friends, what boys are with ishmael at the beginning of the story, name of ishmayl’s village, what village was the talent show, where are the boys when they hear of the attack, what motif in the sky is important for ish, three words that become important to ish when confusion of war comes, what was the ruf, how is a new recruit identified to be ruf, in chapter 2 explain what ishmael means when he says, “these days i live in three worlds…” what does that have to do with flashbacks he describes in the chapter, why is ishmael promoted to junior lieutenant how did he achieve this new rank, why did ishmael find rappers so appealing and, what role did american hip-hop culture play in creating a "soundtrack for ishmaels life" , how does music help the boys cope, a little can go a long way.