Ishmael Beah A Long Way Gone Analysis

In an interview, author of A Long Way Gone and former child soldier Ishmael Beah said “Everyone is capable of going beyond their own humanity and doing certain things that are not humane” (Beah). In A Long Way Gone the events that occur in young Beah’s life force him to commit acts that many believe they never could do no matter the circumstance. Beah believes that in a certain situation anyone can be forced into making choices that may look like a lack of humanity. He says that “People if they have been touched by war or conflicts that make them be a part of, participate in committing atrocities would be victims of it” and that “this is also part of human nature if you’re in that circumstance you would act that way as well so it’s not just specific, particular to who live in Africa or people who live in Asia who do these things” (Beah). …show more content…
He went to school, hung out with friends, did chores, and listened to music. He enjoyed American rap and hip hop music like “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang and “I Know You Got Soul” by Eric B. and Rakim. Beah performed in a rap and dance group he, his friends, and his older brother had started. His only knowledge of wars came from books, movies, and occasionally the news, like most people. The stories Beah heard of the war between the government and the rebels felt as if they were not even happening in his country. Little did he know the effect it would have on his childhood.
Beah shared specific memories with the readers of his book to show readers the types of situations in which one may be forced to do things that they never thought they were cable of doing. Beah describes the loss of his family. After the rebel army attacked his village of Mogbwemo Beah lost all knowledge of the whereabouts of his mother, father, little brother, and