he novel A Long Way Gone by african writer Ishmael beah tells the true story of the author's experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone during the civil war of the 1990. The author and his friends had to flee their home village from the rebels.Reading this novel can help you understand how bad war can get and how it can affect lives.Ishmael and his friends are forced to witness and participate in unspeakable violence, and as a result, they are forced to mature and grow up at a very young age. Ishmael, and his friends struggle greatly to rejoin society after experiencing the trauma of the civil war in Sierra Leone. They have seen and experienced things that no child should ever have to endure, and as a result, they struggle with trust, …show more content…
They are also faced with the challenge of overcoming the physical and emotional scars of war, and dealing with the loss of family and friends. Despite these struggles, the characters ultimately find the strength and support to rebuild their lives and find a sense of belonging in society again. The loss of innocence is one of "A Long Way Gone" main themes. Ishmael, like many other child soldiers, was forced at a young age to abandon his childhood and become a killer. He explains how he had to learn to suppress his emotions, kill without hesitation, and accept violence as a natural part of life. This loss of innocence is a tragic and permanent result of war, and Ishmael and other child soldiers will have to live with it for the rest of their lives. He also talks about the physical and psychological trauma he experienced as a result of his experiences.This is a long-term effect of war, and it is something that child soldiers must learn to cope with for the rest of their …show more content…
As a result, Ishmael and his friends were traumatised. Another reason is that children become more violent during times of war. Just like when Ishmael and his friends were sent to school after the war. In less than an hour, Alhaji, one of Ishmael's friends, had asked a simple question, "Where are you from?" and as a result of that question, a fight began. Following the war. Children have a difficult time reintegrating into normal society because they have difficulty adapting. For example After Ishmael and the other children served in the war, they were required to attend mini-checkups, counselling sessions, and psychosocial therapy. After Ismael left with his uncle, his friends who had no family had to live and survive on their own like Ismael's friends Mohamed, Alhaji, and Mambu. The struggle that orphaned or alone children face is tragic, because when they are alone, they must deal with the loss of family. When the rebels attacked Mattru jong, which is part of Sierra Leone, people fled for their lives, and mothers were separated from their children. When children are orphaned or abandoned, they lose their support system, and a support system is critical in times of difficulty and loss.When Ishmael fled to New York, he had