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Perseverance In A Long Walk To Water

572 Words3 Pages

Perseverance means to keep going despite all the pain and distress that comes along with

continuing. Following South Sudan’s first Civil war, the second Sudanese Civil War started in

1983 between the central Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army. This

war causes over four million southerners and over four thousand boys, called “The Lost Boys” to

move to America. The people who survived, had to persevere in their long, horrendous

journey. Throughout the novel A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park, Salva must overcome

many obstacles from the war as he ventures toward safety and eventually, America.

Salva’s grueling new chapter in life begins harshly, with tough standards to come by.
Salva, along with …show more content…

Salva’s life along with others, are in danger. Survival will prove its difficulty as Salva travels without his family. Salva tries hard to not disrupt the group: “determined not to lag behind(...)not to be trouble to anyone” (22). Salva travels with a group he does not even know while struggling with acceptance. The stress from the traumatic event, separation of family, and trying to fit in with the group puts Salva in a vulnerable position. Salva stays motivated as the pile of struggles only get larger.
In order to face the challenges ahead of him, Salva must stay positive and be ready for the worst. Salva’s will power comes from following his late Uncle’s wise words on focusing on the present and then applying them to his new life: “I need only get through the rest of this day”(72).
Salva chooses to look at life in a positive perspective and live in the moment. By living this way, he can overcome even the most difficult of challenges. Salva and many others get ordered to leave by soldiers to Ethiopia: “They will force us to cross the river(…)Crocodiles.”(75). After staying in camp for six years, Salva now must risk his life and cross the Gilo river. If Salva survives, he will have a new life that could be better. While Salva’s life just took another turn, his good perspective and will power will drive him to

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