Douglas

 First Journal Entry :)

  Having read approximately 55 pages of the book at this point, so far I am very pleased. When I first laid eyes on the book in the library, i knew that it would be an exciting adventure. One thing that I noticed at the beginning of the book was the evident concept of foreshadowing used effectively by the author. On the page entitled 'New York City, 1998', the way the  answers just come flying out as if pre-meditated tells the reader that they're may be more to the story then meets the eye. For some reason, this page painted a clear picture in my head and made me feel the same way that I would when answering the same questions over and over again. For example, when i broke my arm a few years ago and had a cast on, the next day at school people would ask me how I broke it and other questions - by the end of the day, i could answer all questions thrown at me regarding my arm within a matter of seconds.

  Another thing that I have noticed about the book is that the author has a very simplistic and direct way of writing. Personally, I think that this simplistic writing style is very effective to use in a non-fiction novel such as A Long Way Gone. However, at the same time, I am shocked at how fast the book is progressing. On another, writing style note, I noticed that the author focusses quite a bit of attention towards relations with other human compared to the minimal focus that he displays on other manners. As far as I am concerned, the reasoning behind this is to establish the characters as regular, fun loving boys who will soon have to take on a epic, heart changing journey in order to survive.

  So far, i am generally quite pleased with the book and will enjoy to continue following the journey of Ishmael Beah and his friends.

 - Douglas Jacobsen



 Second Journal Entry : >

 May 1, 2011

   Currently, I have read almost 100 pages and am enjoying every second of it. Now that I am farther into the book since my last entry, it feels as if the novel is progressing slower, which can be helpful as it allows you to follow along easier. When I reflect further on this observation, the way the book progresses may be due to the fact that the stage of the book I am currently is fairly repetative (the 'Seven Boys' travel onward with their journey and pass through village after village.)

 For the past 50 pages or so, I have found the book to be increasingly scary. Although the sudden events that occured in the first 50 pages would most likely been regarded as quite traumatic, from approximatly pages 55- 100 of the novel are on another level of erie. Within these pages, several things really stood out to me. For example, when one of Ishmael Beah's travelling companions say that a part of him dies every day, I was particularly rattled. Also, when the line when Beah says ' I could see the branches on the trees swaying, but I couldn't feel the wind.' Additionally, on page 55 of the novel, when Beah admitts that after being on his own for such a long time in the forest, ' I realized how uncomfortable I was around people.' , this also struck me close to the heart. I think that, if I were in this situation, it would be very shaky. Personally, I am someone whom seeks and I rely on heavily on my social skills to get me out of sticky situations. In addition to being isolated and on your own, you would have to be in an unknown area of deep, bushy forest.

 Lastly, i would like to point out that the fact that you know that Ishmael Beah will be caught by the rebels and forced to become a child soldier, contributes to the epicness of the journey and makes it ever so intense.

 Douglas Jacobsen

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Third Journal Entry :D
May 13th, 2011, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 23:31 local time


 Hello all, i would like to apologize formally first of all for my lack of blog posts and also my absence from the in-class discussion sessions. This is my first opportunity to post what so ever as i have been very busy. So, I am proud to say that I have officially finished the book !!! For my thoughts on the ending and approximately the last quarter, please refer to my fourth entry which I will post A.S.A.P. 

Accumulation of Cocaine found in Sierra Leone in 1990

 With Ishmael's recent entry to the rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Freetown, times are rough. Many of the boys are suffering from severe sleep problems due to many factors, especially drug withdrawal. I did some research for the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine which is mentioned several times within the novel. The symptoms include mainly extreme restlessness and immensely unpleasant dreams. I believe that many of the boys that took the drugs are at this point in the novel experiencing these main symptoms. When reading this part of the novel, I felt very bad for the boys as they were most likely not given any such information on the drug as young children and do not understand the drug which can be very dangerous. Also, I saw thing from the point of view of the attendants at the home and recognized their very difficult task of 'managing' the troublesome boys. The attendants had to care for the boys, stop their violent behaviors at the risk of their own lives and make sure that all rules were followed, which in itself, is next to impossible dealing with the likes of boys like Mambu. 


 Also in this part of the novel one was first introduced to Esther, a nurse responsible for the boys at the centre. The way the author describes her, you can tell that she was a very important figure in his life, and in this case, his rehabilitation process. I think that the author defiantly loved Esther and continued to do so.    


 Greetings from Holland, 


  Douglas Jacobsen


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 Fourth and last Journal Entry :)))


 In this journal entry, I will cover about the last 4th of the book and touch on the ending. At this point in the novel, Ishmael and Esther have an increasingly improving friendship. Esther clearly cares for Ishmael and Ishmael is beginning to trust more and more people again. The fact that he does this shows that the rehabilitation is functioning. When Esther and Ishmael first meet, it is because Ishmael and his friends who were rowdy at best when at Benin Home, decided to break panes of glass and cuts his hand. At this time, Ishmael does not even want to talk with Esther. In fact, he does not even tell her his name. However, as Esther and Ishmael grow closer and closer, Ishmael is increasingly open. In addition I think that Esther's presence during Beah's rehabilitation period was very influential. Without her presence during his time in Freetown, may not have been able to talk to anyone about his horrible experiences, which from my point of view, was probably the best type of rehabilitation that he could have received. Talking about experiences that you've encountered, makes you better understand them  yourself which is very beneficial. 


 Also, I found it interesting that the name of the home was Benin Home. In medical terms, a Benign tumor is a tumor that causes no harm and is, by definition, "mild and non-stimulating". Perhaps, there is a relations between the two ??? Hmmmm... 


 Lastly, I thought that the last segment about the hunting of a monkey was significant. The way it is answered by Beah shows what a well-meaning boy he really is. I would love to hear your thoughts on this last tale of the monkey :)

 See you all on Wednesday,


 Douglas Jacobsen