Fear
Ishmael Beach and the people of Sierra Leone are losing hope in their country. Throughout the first quarter of this memoir, Ishmael has encountered numerous people. “I felt someone was after me. Often, my shadow would scare me and cause me to run for miles.”pg.49 I underlined shadow to show how something simple can strike fear. Ishmael has a constant paranoia due to the fear of rebels, who feed on the innocence of others, and even the civilians, who are just as afraid of others as they are of them.
Finally exiting the forest, Ishmael runs into old schoolmates. They were heading to village run by the Sierra Leone Armed Forces and Ishmael joins them. After some time they encounter, an old man who was left behind by the villagers he was with. the village had cleared out because of rumors of Ishmael and his schoolmates were rebels that were going to take over their village. The fact a whole town can clear out because a group of young boys, oldest being 16, would pillage their village shows the fear the rebel fighters have put into the Sierra Leoneans. They had left an old man because he is unable to move at their significantly faster pace. This old man has also realized the changes that have been brought to Sierra Leone. “My children, this country has lost its good heart. People don’t trust each other anymore.”
Things I Noticed:
A common expression that can be used in this situation is THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. Since there is yet to be a sense of struggle between the militant groups, power relies in weapons. The rebels can walk about as they please terrorizing villages and killing those who live in them. The place where the boys are traveling to is run by the armed forces. There they seek protection and stability.
What do you think can also affect power in 1990s Sierra Leone or war torn countries in general?
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