A Long Way Gone

Said by: Ishmael
Page: 173
Quote #1: "At the hospital Esther put the Bob Marley cassette on the tape player, and we began to mime "Three Little Birds" together. "Don't worry about a thing" we sang "cause every little thing gonna be all right..."

Significance: This quote was said after Ishmael met his uncle. I think that this quote is significant because it shows that he is happy about his uncle. But I think that he is still a little unsure about leaving to live with him. I think this because he is a little afraid to love anyone, and he is probably used to being where he is and going to see Esther everyday.

Character Judgement: So far being at this camp has helped Ishmael so much. When he first came there he got into fights and ignored the staff there. Now he is almost all better and he has lots of friends like Esther and Mohamed. I think that this is great for Ishmael, and I'm glad that he can go and live with his uncle.

Question #1: If you were in this position would you be excited about living with your uncle, or would you be a little hesitant? explain

Said by: Ishmael
Page: 177
Quote #2: "We walked so many times on the same gravel road that I could close my eyes and still avoid all the big rocks on the road."

Significance: I think that this quote was significance because it shows the Ishmael is getting used to his uncle and he really trusts him. He takes long walks with him and they talk about Ishmael's life before the war and about his father. I think that this is really nice for Ishmael because he has someone to talk to about his life before the war.

Connection: I can relate to this quote because I think that it is good to talk about your past and especially for him because it makes you feel so much better and it is nice to talk to an adult because they listen better and understand you more.

Connection: If you were Ishmael would you feel comfortable taking to your uncle after just meeting him or would you wait a little? explain

Quote #1
Said By: Ishmael
Page: 160
"I hated that "it is not your fault" line that all the staff members said every time anyone spoke about the war."

Significance: I thought that this quote was significant because I would feel good if someone told me that it was not my fault. I understand why Ismael feels this way though. I'm sure he thinks that he is tough and brave and when people tell him it is not his fault he doesn't feel that way anymore.

Character Judgement: I think that Ishmael is getting a little bit better. Going to school is probably taking his mind off the war and violence a little. Also I think that talking to Esther (the nurse) is also helping him even though he doesn't realize it.

Question: Do you think that Ishmael and Esther will become friends, and do you think that this will help Ishmael recover? Why?

Quote #2: "I am your nurse and that's all. If you want to be friends with me, you will have to ask me and I will have to trust you first, she said. I smiled, because I was thinking the same thing."
Said By: Esther and Ishmael
Page: 153

Significance: This quote is significant because now that Ishmael is in the city and he is getting some help he can make some friends and try to live a more normal life. This quote made me very happy because he is making a friend and because he smiled. I think that Esther will act as his therapist and as his friend

Character Judgement/Connection: I think that from what I have read, Esther sound very kind and caring. I think that having her around will really help Ishmael. Also I can realte to this because being around my friends always makes me feel better.

Question: What other help do you think Ishmael will get while he is in the city?

A Long Way Gone #4

Quote #1: "We would fight for hours in between meals, for no reason at all. During these fights, we destroyed most of the furniture and threw the mattresses out in the yard."
Said by: Ishmael
Page: 139

Significance: This quote is significant because it shows that even though the boys have been rescued from war, they are still in that mindset, the mindset to kill. I think that part of the reason they are acting like this is because they still have drugs in their systems. Recovering will probably take a while because they are just used to death and fighting now.

Character Judgement: The difference between Ishmael in the beginning of the book and Ishmael now is so surprising. It's like he is a completely different person. In the beginning of the book he is very sweet and caring and now the war and the drugs have ruined him. It is very sad to read this because it is just unbelievable.

Question #1: What do you think it is going to take for Ishmael to get better?

Quote #2: "As the truck begin to pull away from the base, I started to boiling with anger, because I couldn't make sense of what was happening."
Said by: Ishmael
Page: 130

Significance: This quote relates to the question "what was their life like in their home country?"This quote is significant because it shows that the war and that base is just a part of Ishmael now. He is so used to it that he doesn't even want to leave the war. It's like a habit; going out and killing people.

Connection: I can relate to this because it is very hard to get rid of a habit. Also it is very hard to accept change, especially change this big. I think that he will eventually get better and accept it.

Question #2: If you were in this situation do you think that you would be upset about leaving or do you think you would be happy about getting a new life? explain.