A Long Way Gone Literary Analysis

The wide spectrum for the desire to own resources in many countries has produced a raging armed conflict. For instance, developing countries like, Africa are the most vulnerable to face constant wars due to the lack of resources. Consequently, a new source is being used to battle the rivalries for the reoccurring conflict. Ismael Beah’s book, A Long Way Gone, reveals in detail that child soldiers are the newest source used in the armed conflict. His book, also demonstrates his experience as a child soldier, fighting for the Sierra Leone Armed Services at the age of twelve. Like Beah, thousands of other children are utilized, as soldiers because they are the most valued agents for both the army and rebel groups, despite the availability to

There are several factors why children are selected to be in combat zones instead of the playgrounds, ranging from vulnerability reasons to economic conditions. First, children are the most favorable source since they are easier to manipulate and intimidate due to the lack of their reasoning. An article from the Gale Student Resources in Context database, “Child Soldiers” states since “children’s brains and emotions are immature, children are easy to recruit, indoctrinate, and coerce.” In other words their vulnerability and inability to understand eases their recruitment because they will do as they are told to please their commanders. Since a child’s brain is known for its ability to absorb what is projected to learn, therefore they quickly submit to the intimating actions they are pressured to preform because they fear the punishment superiors uphold when soldiers do not obey. Also, children are economical to wage a war since they not demand salaries like adult soldiers and cost less to maintain because they eat less. However, what makes children the best agent for combat zones is that they are used for missions that are impossible for adult soldiers. For