Long Way Gone 1-8

What 3 other boys is Ishmael with as the story opens?

Junior, Talloi, Mohammed

What is the name of Ishmael's village?

Mogbweno

To what village do the four boys travel for the talent show?

Mattru Jong

At what boy/s house are they when they hear of the attck on Ishmael's town?

Khalilou's house

Describe the scene from Ishmael's eyes as he tries to return to the village. List at least three disasters he witnesses.

VW van with murdered family and man was sick. A man carrying his dead son promising to save him. A mother whose baby was dead and too sad to cry, she just rocked the baby.

What was Ishmael fascinated with and was advised to "strive" like?

The moon.

Where did the boys get the guns to shoot the armed group in the soccer field?

He was remembering when he was in Sierra Leone and in the rebel army who gave them all AK-47s.

What 3 worlds did Ishmael live in during these times?

My dreams, new life, memories.

What does RUF stand for? Who were these people?

Revolutionary united front - rebels who pretended to want to help the people but mutilated and killed instead.

What did they do to new recruits to prove that they belonged to the RUF?

Branded and/or cut RUF on the new recruits' bodies.

What did Ishmael realize about what gives a town life?

The people and their spirits give a town life.

How did the rebels attack Mattru Jong?

They announced they wanted a welcome but did not arrive on that date the town relaxed and when they weren't expecting it they attacked.

How did Ishmael and his friends escape from the ambush on Mattru Jong?

They crossed a swamp. They ran through woods and were shot at with AK-47s, RPBs, and chased. They reached the end of the clearing and realized they had escaped, after an hour of running.

How many, including Ishmael, escaped the attack on their village?

Six: Junior, Talloi, Ishmael, Gibrella, Khalilous, Koloka

Why did the boys have to try and return to Mattru Jong?

There was no food and they had money hidden in Mattru Jong and possibly food was there.

Describe the gruesome sight that made Ishmael vomit?

Seeing a few men's legs, arms, and genitals cut off and in a pile by their bodies. The old man dead in chair on verandah.

What was more important than the rice that Ishmael found under the bed?

The money. The rice was too heavy and would weigh them down.

Why were the boys not able to buy food at nearby villages?

The vendors has stopped cooking and either left or saved food for harder times.

According to Ishmael, what was a "typical aspect of being in the war?

There was no one to blame. They were experiencing something new and needed to apply survival tactics.

How does Ishmael describe the hunger he feels?

It hurt to drink water. It felt like something was eating the insides of our stomachs.

Why was Ishmael appaled at the way the rebels were treating the elderly man?

It was against their culture. Good behavior was expeted, respect to elders was demanded.

Why did the rebels laugh at the old man after the shots were fired?

The rebels pretended to shoot the man. He was shot near, not at. So he lived but he expected to be dead.

How did Ishmael and his five friends escape? What distracted the rebels just as they were about to kill the six boys?

They were able to escape from rebels because the rebels were shot at and it distracted them from the boys.

Why were people terrified of young boys Ishmael's age?

They resembled the rebels who caused so much death and destruction.

According to Ishmael, what was a "consequence of the civil war" and the way people related to each other?

People stopped trusting each other. Strangers became enemies and people you knew are more cautious.

How did the rap cassettes save the boys' lives at one of the villages.

Their rap shows made people know them. The young boy from Mattru Jong recognized them.

What affection does Junior show Ishmael?

He once had asked if Ishmael was okay. I wanted him to ask me again.

Where were the six boys appointed watchmen in exchange for food and shelter?

Kamator - where his aunt was supposed to be.

Describe Ishmael's memories of farming.

He poured wine to thank the farming gods for the harvest.

Does the village get attacked? Do the boys get separated? Who does Ishmael lose at that point?

The village was attacked. They are separated and it is the last time he sees Junior.

Ishmael describes the prayer of the imam. What religion are they practicing?

Muslim: mosque. Sura - chapters of Qur'an. Imam - Islamic preacher.

Why did Ishmael decide to leave the safety of the swamp?

He became frustrated with living in fear. He hated waiting for death.

How long was Ishmael on the path before he found others?

On the sixth day.

Why didn't the family help Ishmael get to the sea?

They were afraid of him.

When Ishmael walked for three days, what did he finally find to eat?

Strange, unfamiliar fruit shaped like lemon.

Describe the memory Ishmael has of his brother Junior in Kabati. What was the name of the magic potion? What was its power.

He remembered walking with grandfather looking at medicinal leaves and bark and coffee garms. Special needs helped retain knowledge - Nessie (water from potions washed off slate)

According to Ishmael, what is the worst thing about loneliness?

You think too much - there isn't much more you can do.

What type of animal attacked Ishmael in the forest? Briefly retell the myth of the wild pig.

Pigs; a notorious hunter who turned himself into a wild boar. He would lead pigs to a field, change to human, and kill the pigs. Once he didn't return to human and the pigs tore him to pieces.

Ishmael's father used to say, "If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will..."

Die.

How many boys does Ishmael find along his journey?

6 boys, 3 that he knew.

Why does the old man who helps them tell the boys it is not necessary to remember his name?

He would not live out the war and would die soon, anyway.