How Does Ishmael Beah Use Perseverance In A Long Way Gone

Perseverance: Would you be able to survive in the jungle alone? Ishmael Beah, a strong and determined young boy, survived years in Sierra Leone without his family to guide/help him. His perseverance is what led him to be here today, and the main reason he achieved his goals. In A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, perseverance is the most prominent theme because Beah pushes through challenges in order to achieve his goals. Ishmael Beah shows perseverance because he is constantly pushing through challenges and fighting for his life. During the Sierra Leone war, Ishmael was separated from his family and friends. While he was alone, he fought to stay alive so he would one day be able to see his family and friends again. These challenges drove him to be stronger.

“I joined the army really because of the loss of my family and starvation. I wanted to avenge the death of my family. I also had to get some food to survive, and the only way to do that was to be part of the army. It was not easy being a soldier, but we just had to do it.” (Beah 199) His goals were what drove him forward to becoming a better person. Even though he had many challenges along the way, he was able to get past them and rise up. This quote shows how Beah is a survivor and how he achieved his goals through determination/perseverance. Without his discipline and responsibility, Beah would not have made it as far as he did. He made smart decisions and never gave up, which led him to achieving his goals. The quote also shows how Beah’s smarts are what led him to being freed from the army. He knew he would not make it if he did not join the army. Since he had no family, there was no food for him. In joining the army, Beah learned skills and lessons that he later used to achieve his goals. This motivation helped bring Beah forward in life and helped him unlearn the bad things from the