A Long Way Gone

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah describes his life in the past when he was a soldier for the Revolutionary Army in Sierra Leon. So far in the story he describes how he led a normal life leading towards Revolutionary Army taking over the villages, getting closer to him and others. "This town will will be next, according to the teachers."(pg 9). During part of the book, their home was being attacked by the rebels.

Going through certain sections in the book, certain themes of the book were shown in the book. Those themes are what makes the book what it is. Ishmael Beah wanted the readers of his book to understand not only what he was going through but as well as all of Sierra Leon. 

One of the themes are shown in the book is fear. The rebel army in the book is portrayed as the type of group that is able to cause chaos to anyone because their ideals are not being followed by others.

They spread their influences towards the children, (especially the boys) because children tend to be easily influenced. 

Another theme that is represented in the book is separation. This theme however can be separated in to sub categories. The separation of Ishmael and his family and friends and the separation of his own self consciousness to realize what is right and wrong. Separation had begun from the moment the rebels were taking over villages. Children were stuck without their parents and had to rely on themselves for their survival. Ishmael also had in a way, a separation within himself. The beginning of the story shows how he was a collected person. But as the war goes on and with him fighting in it is well, he is often confusing on how he should deal with his feelings.