Questions and Answers
How is Ishmael feeling about the situation?
He feels like his life is an endless cycle of walking and gathering food and water. He can find moments of happiness but remains sad and always expects the worst to happen.
What was Ishmael's goal?
To survive each passing day.
After escaping another attack, what does Saidu say to the others?
He tells the boys that he is waiting for death to take him.
Upon their arrival at a new village, how did the village react?
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On the hammock, what does Ishmael find himself thinking about?
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What animal did his grandmother compare him to?
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After a feast of dancing, food, and music, where did the boys head to?
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What story does Musa tell after arriving in a small village?
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Explain the tale of the Bra Spider.
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How does this tale explain the spider's tiny waist?
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What is Ishmael's memory about his grandmother?
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How was the naming ceremony performed?
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As they found their food to be gone, who was the culprit?
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What is Musa's story?
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What is Alhaji's story?
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What is Kanei's story?
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What is Jumah and Moriba's story?
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What is Saidu's story?
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What happened to the raven the boys found while traveling?
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How does the book foreshadow that something bad might happen?
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What happens during their night journey?
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Once they discovered another welcoming village, why does Ishmael want to leave immediately?
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After spending the night in the village, what did they discover?
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How does Saidu's death affect Ishmael?
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Study Notes
Ishmael's Feelings and Goals
- Ishmael deals with a cycle of survival, constantly seeking food and water while grappling with sadness and the anticipation of worst-case scenarios.
- His primary aim is to survive each day amidst the chaos around him.
Saidu's Perspective on Death
- After an attack, Saidu admits to the group his waiting for death, expressing how each escape feels like a part of him is lost.
- Ishmael internalizes Saidu's sentiments, reflecting on the heavy burden of survival.
Reception in the New Village
- Upon arrival, the boys are warmly accepted by the villagers who invite them to join in a hunting expedition.
- The village celebrates their catch with a feast, showcasing community spirit through singing, cooking, and joyful collaboration.
Memories and Longing
- While resting on a hammock, Ishmael reminisces about cherished moments with his grandmother, enhancing his sense of longing for family ties.
- His grandmother compared him to a spider, highlighting his playful, trickster nature.
Departure and Storytelling
- After a joyful night of feasting and dancing, the boys leave the village at dawn, following an uncertain path but embracing their fleeting happiness.
- Musa entertains them with a tale about the Bra Spider, symbolizing the desire to be part of every celebration.
The Bra Spider's Tale
- The story narrates a spider's ambitious quest to feast with all surrounding villages, ultimately leading to its failure and suffering due to its inability to manage expectations.
Ishmael's Naming Ceremony
- Ishmael recalls a significant community event where he was named, emphasizing cultural belonging and communal responsibility.
- The celebration involved the whole town, showcasing rich traditions of food preparation, dressing, and rituals.
Challenges and Loss of Supplies
- Tension arises when the boys discover their food has disappeared, initially blaming each other until realizing a stray dog is responsible.
Personal Histories of Escape
- Musa shares the trauma of losing his mother during a rebel attack while fleeing, illustrating the dangers civilians faced.
- Alhaji's story involves returning home to find his family missing, while Kanei recounts losing siblings during an escape.
- Jumah and Moriba describe their house destruction and failed search for their parents.
- Saidu’s backstory reveals the horrors endured by his family under rebel control, heightening the sense of loss among the group.
Raven Incident and Supernatural Tensions
- The boys cook a raven they find during their travels, despite dire warnings, which foreshadows impending danger.
- As they journey through the night, they encounter mysterious figures that amplify their fears, leading to a troubling incident where Saidu faints and expresses belief in ghosts.
Urgency of Family Search
- Ishmael's desire to leave a welcoming village immediately is fueled by a woman’s claim of seeing his family in the next village, intensifying his desperation.
Loss and Fear after Saidu's Death
- After spending the night, the boys awaken to the tragic news of Saidu’s death, which deepens Ishmael's anxiety about future losses within the group.
- This event instills a paralyzing fear of the dark in Ishmael, symbolizing the ever-present threat to their survival and mental state.
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Description
Explore the complexities of Ishmael's feelings and survival goals in Chapter 10 of 'A Long Way Gone'. This quiz will help you comprehend the emotional and psychological aspects Ishmael faces in his harrowing journey. Test your understanding of the key themes and insights from this chapter.