A Long Way Gone: Post #5

Quote: "She threw a package at me. I held it in my hand, wondering what it was and why she had gotten it for me. She was looking at me, waiting for me to open it. When I unwrapped it, I jumped up and hugged her, but immediately held back my happiness. I sternly asked, "Why did you get me this Walkman and cassette if we are not friends?" "And how did you know I like rap music?"
- Page 154
- Paragraph 3
- Said by Ishamel Beah

Response: I picked this quote because I thought that this quote kind of related to the question, "How do Americans treat the characters?" I think this question related to the quote because I think because he got taken out of the war he feels a lot safer and happier. Plus they are being really nice to him by giving him cool toys and rap music that he probably lost in the war. He is also making more friends easily.

Personal Connection: Character Judgment: Ishamel is really happy and safe that he got to get out of this war. He does not show his happiness and kindness a lot to others and gives a mean attitude for no reasons sometimes. He gets kind of frustrated easily a little bit in the book so far.

Question: If you were in Ishamel's position and you got to get something by nurse Esther, what would you want and why?

Quote #2: "For than twenty-four hours we retreated and attacked, using the arms and ammunition from those we had killed.
- Page 156
- Paragraph 3
- Said by: Ishamel Beah

Response #2: I think that this quote relates to the question, "What challenges do the characters face upon their arrival?" I think this relates to that question because that is a challenge that he had to overcome. He was being surrounded by rebels and they already killed 5 of their men. They were in trees and bushes and even right in from of them trying to aim fire at Ishamel and his troops. I think that was a big challenge that he had to over come at an age like this.
(He is explaining what happened to him in the war to the nurse if you did not get what I was on.)

Personal Connection: Character Judgment: Ishamel is a very nice person. Right now he is summarizing in great details what he went through with his nurse. He explains his journeys with great details like it was yesterday. Ishamel always likes to see the good things in others and likes to see people having a good time and smiling. He loves to have friends and bonds well with others pretty easily. He is a great friend to have and watches peoples backs. He also does not want his friends feeling bad so he tries to make the best for everyone.

Question: If you were in Ishamel's position and you had to explain what you went through in the war with his nurse, would you try to make it sound good or make it sound horrible. Because Ishamel tried making it sound good because he did not want seeing his nurse cry. So what would you do and explain why?