Literary Critique of “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier”

In “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” Ishmael Beah depicts the reality of the atrocities committed in Serra Leone from 1993 to 1998. The author describes the details of the murders, rapes, and looting committed by both the rebels and army factions. In addition, Beah reveals the drug abuse of the armed factions by revealing that marijuana, and cocaine were the drugs of popular usage.

In January of 1996, when Beah was fifteen years old, he was released from the army. After this he was sent to a rehabilitation camp called the Benin Home. The purpose of the Benin Home was to rehabilitate boy soldiers, and rebels who suffered from the major symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ishmael was selected to interview (by Mr. Kamara the Director of the Benin Rehabilitation Center) for presenting a speech at the United Nations in New York City based on his past experiences of giving inspiring speeches about why boy soldiering must be stopped. Beah was selected to give his speech for the following two reasons: One, he personally suffered, and participated in the war. Two, he had successfully undergone rehabilitation.

At the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Ishmael began his speech by saying “I am from Sierra Leone, and the problem that is affecting us children is the war that forces us to run away from our homes, lose our families, and aimlessly roam the forests. As a result, we get involved in the conflict as soldiers, carriers of loads, and in many other difficult tasks. All this is because of starvation, the loss of our families, and the need to feel safe and be part of something when all else has broken down. I joined the army because of the loss of my family and starvation. I wanted to avenge the deaths 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. I have been rehabilitated now, so don’t be afraid of me. I am not a soldier anymore; I am a child. We are all brothers and sisters. What I have learned from my experiences is that revenge is not good. I joined the army to avenge the deaths of my family and to survive, but I’ve come to learn that if I am going to take revenge, in that process I will kill another person whose family will want revenge; then revenge and revenge and revenge will never come to an end …” (p.199)

In conclusion, “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier”, defines the reasons that children join the army or rebel forces. These children are the children that are permanently displaced from their families. Their parents, brothers, and sisters are either massacred or flee wherever they can find safety. The children are faced with two horrendous options: One, join an armed faction, or two, starve to death. The author expresses through his experience that the concept of revenge is meaningless.

Written by Jeffrey P. Kidd