Questions and Answers
What information does the group gain from listening to the rebels?
They overhear the rebels boasting of the killings, but there is uncertainty as to whether some villagers may have escaped.
What ultimately happens to Gasemu and how?
Gunshots begin again and the boys run deeper into the forest with bullets at their back. When the boys finally stop, they realize that Gasemu has multiple gunshot wounds. They take him to the wahlee outside the village, where he dies.
What happened to Gasemu in the end?
Gasemu had been shot while they were running away from the rebels.
Where did Gasemu tell the boys to go?
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How did the boys grieve Saidu's death?
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Who is Gasemu?
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What does Gasemu say about his family?
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How did Ishmael feel when he thought of seeing his family again?
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What happened as Ishmael was going down the hill?
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Describe the village after the gunshots.
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Why did Gasemu start screaming?
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What happened to the house Ishmael's family stayed at?
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Why did Ishmael have a guilty feeling?
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Describe the 10 rebels they saw, how were they acting?
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What were the rebels boasting about?
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How do you think it made Ishmael feel seeing a familiar face and being recognized?
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What feeling do you think they were feeling knowing they were close to seeing their families?
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Do you think any of the boys' families made it out of the village?
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What was the affiliation of the group of men who took the boys at gunpoint?
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How is life different for the boys in Yele than it had been in previous villages?
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What were Ishmael's symptoms that weren't detected by the village doctor?
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What is the significance of Beah's music being destroyed in this chapter?
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What did they use the banana tree for?
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What does Lieutenant Jabati tell the boys to get them to see what the rebels have done?
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Describe Lieutenant Jabati.
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Was the lieutenant's speech inspiring? Why?
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What was the training regime like?
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Describe the men they encountered as they walked.
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Who ambushed the boys?
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What did the fishermen do to the boys?
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Why did the fishermen attack the young boys?
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Why was it a bad punishment taking their shoes from the boys?
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What did the strange man do for the boys?
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Who is Musa and how is he described?
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Describe Kanei.
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Describe Alhaji.
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Describe Jumah.
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Describe Saidu and Moriba.
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What happened when twelve men ran after their group of seven?
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What saved Ishmael and the boys from being killed?
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How did the boys repay the kind fisherman who helped them?
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Why did the man with the fishing hut help the boys?
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What sounds did the boys hear?
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How does the ocean help Ishmael remain at peace during war?
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Describe the clusters of huts on the beach.
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Why were the boys crying without sound?
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Which one of these boys would you most likely identify with?
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After Ishmael finds out more about the host, describe him.
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What did Ishmael do to surprise the chaser?
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What did the chief of the village call the boys?
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What specific things did Ishmael miss about his family?
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What does the description of the naming ceremony tell you about Ishmael's village?
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Whose story do you think is the worst circumstance among the boys?
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What do you think made Saidu sick and ultimately killed him?
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Describe Ishmael's mood in the beginning of Chapter 10.
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What does Ishmael compare his journey with?
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What happened to Musa's family?
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What was Alhaji doing during the attack?
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What is Kanei's story of the attack?
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Tell me Jumah and Moriba's story.
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Why was Saidu's family unable to leave town during the attack?
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What happened to Saidu's sister?
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Which boy in the group died, and what did they do for him?
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How do you think the boys felt when invited hunting and to stay for the feast?
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What did Ishmael's grandmother call him when he played tricks?
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Why didn't they want to hear the story about Bra Spider?
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Who or what took their meat?
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Do you think the people passing by were ghosts?
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What do you think the dogs crying means?
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Have you ever experienced feelings like Ishmael describes at the burial?
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What is the unsettling thing about Ishmael's journey?
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Why are the boys always on the move?
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What does Saidu mean by 'I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies'?
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What do spiders symbolize in his culture?
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Tell me one of your fondest memories with your family.
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What happened to their meat?
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What do you think of the crow falling out of the sky?
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Why were the dogs crying?
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What customs exist in your culture when someone dies?
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What do you think was a foreshadow of death?
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After finding himself in the middle of a thick forest, what does Ishmael do to adjust?
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Whom do the boys come across and how does Ishmael know him?
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What change does Gasemu notice in Ishmael?
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Why does Ishmael attack Gasemu?
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Study Notes
Chapter 9 Highlights
- Fishermen ambushed the boys, mistaking them for rebels, and restrained them using weapons and nets.
- The misunderstanding reflects fear and suspicion in times of conflict; villagers believed young boys could be rebels.
- A fisherman ultimately helped the boys by applying heated grass to soothe their burnt feet.
Character Descriptions
- Musa: Short and bulky with a round face and expressive eyes; he became a reliable companion.
- Kanei: Skinny and meticulous about his hair, showcasing a calm demeanor.
- Alhaji: Communicative with expressive gestures and friends with Jumah.
- Jumah: Group's agreeable member, often nodding in approval during conversations.
Group Dynamics
- Saidu and Moriba: Reserved and introspective; Moriba often absorbed in his own thoughts.
- The group's fear was heightened when twelve men chased them, eventually capturing some and tying them.
- A tape cassette played by Ishmael impressed a village chief, sparing their lives momentarily.
Moments of Kindness and Reflection
- The boys showed gratitude to the fisherman who helped them by keeping his identity secret.
- The ocean subsequently provided Ishmael with solace amidst the chaos of war, invoking calmness.
- Despite the friendly gestures from individuals, the villagers showed brutality when collective safety was threatened.
Chapter 10 Insights
- Ishmael profoundly misses his family's physical presence and the comfort they provided.
- The naming ceremony depicted a strong sense of community and familial bonds among villagers.
- Saidu's narrative about witnessing his sisters’ trauma exemplifies the harsh realities of war.
Thematic Developments
- The boys' emotional states fluctuate; they yearn for safety and comfort while grappled by the trauma of their experiences.
- Saidu's and Ishmael's discussions highlighted critical themes of loss, acceptance of death, and the haunting nature of their past experiences while navigating through war.
Chapter 11 Developments
- Ishmael tries to find comfort in a familiar space after feeling lost, clearing a campsite for rest.
- Meeting Gasemu, who brings news of Ishmael's family, temporarily sparks hope among the boys.
- Tension rises when Ishmael attacks Gasemu, blaming him for their delays, symbolizing how frustration can manifest destructively during dire circumstances.
Tragic Outcomes
- Gasemu sustains gunshot wounds while fleeing, illustrating the relentless danger surrounding the boys.
- The group's grief over Saidu's death underscores the loss that permeates their journey, though they feel compelled to keep moving.
- Gasemu reaffirms the love and concern of Ishmael's family, emphasizing the enduring connections that persist despite physical distance.
Cultural Reflections
- Themes of community support contrasting with fear and violence are evident throughout the narrative, showcasing its impact on relationships and individual identities.
- Customs around grief and loss play a significant role in understanding the boys' emotional landscape within the larger context of war.### Family & Emotional Turmoil
- Ishmael's older brother returned searching for him, feeling guilt for the family's circumstances.
- The thought of reuniting with his family filled Ishmael with happiness.
The Scene of Crisis
- As Ishmael descended a hill, he was overwhelmed by the sounds of gunfire, barking dogs, and cries of distress, along with smoke emerging from the village.
- The aftermath of the gunfire left the village in flames and littered with bullet shells.
Grief and Trauma
- Gasemu's scream was triggered upon discovering numerous bodies lying facedown, amplifying the emotional damage.
- Ishmael's family house was destroyed, with remnants of its structure diminishing.
Guilt and Anger
- Ishmael struggled with guilt for not assisting his family, feeling anger directed at Gasemu for not acting sooner.
Rebels' Presence
- A group of ten rebels displayed brazen behavior, relishing violence and bloodshed while playing cards and using drugs.
- The rebels boasted about their destruction of three villages in one day.
Illusions of Safety
- Upon arrival in Yele, the boys experienced a temporary sense of normalcy amid the chaos of war.
- The village, bustling with life, allowed children to play and families to coexist, giving the illusion of safety and happiness.
Internal Struggles
- Ishmael suffered from debilitating migraines and nightmares due to trauma but did not disclose this to the village doctor.
Tension and Dread
- Increased tension in Yele arose as rebels surrounded the area and the military's hold weakened.
- The atmosphere darkened with the approach of war as gunfire sounded nearby.
Manipulation and Recruitment
- The lieutenant displayed the dead bodies of a father and son to instill fear and rally the villagers against the rebels.
- Boys were prompted to seek revenge for fallen family members as part of their indoctrination into military service.
Emotional Responses
- The villagers reacted fiercely to the lieutenant's speech, expressing a desire for vengeance against the rebels.
- Ishmael and his friends felt a storm of emotions following the speech, shifting from determination to fear.
Destruction of Innocence
- Ishmael’s loss of rap tapes in a fire symbolized the destruction of his childhood and the impending shift towards violence and military life.
Training Regimen
- The boys underwent rigorous soldier training, reminiscent of bootcamp, involving physical conditioning and combat preparation.
Actions Against the Rebels
- Ishmael joined the fight due to the threats posed by rebels, motivated by retribution for his family's losses.
- Lieutenant Jabati's speech galvanized the boys into action, highlighting the brutal realities of their reality.
Visual Manipulation
- Lieutenant Jabati effectively employed emotional appeals to steer the boys' sentiments toward hostility against the rebels.
- The boys' training included visceral exercises that deepened their desire for revenge against their oppressors.
Physical Descriptions
- The men encountered by the boys exhibited frightening physical characteristics, suggesting their harsh realities.
Reflection on Safety
- Despite initial appearances of safety in Yele, Ishmael felt compelled to distance himself from recreational activities due to his psychological trauma.
Nightmares
- Ishmael's dreams were haunting and vivid, indicating deep-seated trauma and fear that plagued his thoughts, including visions of violence and helplessness.
Summary of Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Jabati was a commanding presence, invoking respect and fear among his men, embodying authority in his demeanor.
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Test your knowledge on Chapters 9-14 of 'A Long Way Gone'. This quiz includes important events and characters, helping you recall critical moments and themes from these chapters. Perfect for reviewing key details and understanding the progression of the story.