Monday, October 20, 2008
Ch 11&12, a Long Way Gone
These two chapters were really intense!! I was so mad in chapter 11 when Gasemu told Ishmael about his mom and brothers. We pretty much knew that something was going to come up and that they would never see their families again, so for Gasemu to get their hopes up like that was really mean, though I'm sure he wished that the boys and their families would be reunited. I was kind of surprised that the boys were not taught to fight earlier. It seems like they were needed in sort of short notice so wouldn't it have been easier to teach them as soon as they arrive? I thought that it was really hard to read the part where Ishmael was learning how to use his weapon and cut up the trees as if they were people. I really felt like I was in that situation and it creeped me out! I know that the rebels killed their families but they are still people! I guess the difference in reading this is that there is no way to understand the emotions and feelings of these boys completely. I think that this is why chapter 12 wasn't so bad to read because we can't really relate to Ishmael's feelings anymore. He used to just be like any other boy, but now he has gone through so much that we can't relate to. I can't wait to read more...and I can guess that it will be gory and tough, but I really want to see how this story turns out.
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2 comments:
Good job! I totally agree with your thoughts about Gasemu. Right after he boosted their hopes so much we almost all knew something bad was going to happen. Everything good in their lives has almost been washed away completely, so why should something good happen in the middle of the novel. I also had the same reaction that this section wasn't as hard to read because we weren't relating as much. I think it's hard for us to relate to someone who has been through all of this. I can almost bet money that none of the people have been trained for war yet because of an urgency in the form of gunshots in your background, at least I hope not!!! The piece about his battles while learning how to fight was also hard for me to read. It was hard to read and know what he was up against and where this learning would lead him... straight to the battlefield, and closer to death.
Good job again! :)
I think you really brought out all of the important things in these chapters!
I agree completely with the fact that it is hard for us to relate to him as a person. We don't know what it is like to be in his situation. He has gone through a complete transformation from just another boy to a bloodthirsty soldier, but we shouldn't be able to pass judgement on him, because I doubt any of us have or ever will be in a situation that is just like his.
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