Similarities Between A Long Way Gone And Blood Diamond

Zack Stefnitz Mrs. Tadross (Class Code) 6 May 2024 The Stripping of Child Innocence in A Long Way Gone and Blood Diamond Within the memoir titled A Long Way Gone and the movie Blood Diamond, both Beah and several filmmakers dive deep into the harsh realities of conflict that are present in Sierra Leone. Born November 23rd, 1980, in Sierra Leone, Beah experienced the great terror of involvement as a child soldier in the civil war before an immense turn around becoming an acclaimed author as well as a strong fighter against human rights. Beah’s memoir provides a deeply personal account of his many experiences, although the film “Blood Diamond” approaches the fictional route while still exploring similar themes. Collectively, both pieces have

This transformation from a playful child mind to savagery showcases humanity being detrimental to child soldiers. Lastly, Ishmael Beah’s post-war struggles of reintegrating into society showcase the permanent effects of the traumatic experiences he encountered, and that his innocence has vanished for good. During the last part of his memoir, Beah discusses the border, “I avoided eye contact, afraid that they might see in my eyes that I had once been a soldier in the war that I was now leaving behind” (Beah 219). This encapsulates the emotional turmoil that Ishamael must now go through as a result of his harsh experiences as a child soldier. Despite his newfound freedom, he still finds it difficult to grapple with the recent feelings of displacement in society, knowing that deep down he is a massively different person than he was prior. He strives for a sense of normality, though his mind now present with his horrific past encounters fills him with fear and will stick with him forever. Overall, Beah's journey illustrates how the accumulation of trauma during war as a child soldier not only inflicts wounds in one's mind but shapes one's identity and

His longing for connection and belonging within a world of brutality resonates with me, as I have also before wanting a piece of acceptance in times of hardship. These shared experiences allow me to feel a sense of connection with Beah, making his journey relatable. I further feel that through his experiences, readers like myself can reflect on their sense of empathy in the face of adversity. In conclusion, A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah and the movie "Blood Diamond" both offer explorations of the prominent cost of child innocence in Sierra Leone, through several manipulation tactics, inputs of violence and trauma, and questioning of morality. While A Long Way Gone delves deeply into the personal experiences and trauma of Beah’s life as a child soldier, the film Blood Diamond helps to showcase a wider view of the influences which drive a child’s mind to be forever impacted by these events. Despite these differences, both works convey the themes of violence and the loss of innocence in a brutal war environment. As for recommending A Long Way Gone to others, I would due to its honesty and portrayal of the realities faced by child