The Significance Of The Moon In A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah

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In Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, the moon is introduced as an important symbol in the first chapter of the book. Ishmael is told by an old man, “We must strive to be like the moon”. Later that day, Ishmael asks his Grandmother what the old man meant by this. She explains to him that the moon is always watching you and therefore must always be on your best behavior. This is the first instance of the moon as a symbol. Additionally, Ishmael's grandmother explains that when the moon is out, everyone appreciates it in their own special way. For Ishmael and his family, the moon symbolizes goodness and joy. In chapter three, Ishmael mentions “The moon wasn’t in the sky; the air was stiff, as if nature itself was afraid