A Long Way Gone Symbolism

Words: 782
Pages: 4
Open Document
Suffering from oppression is something no one should deal with. “A Long Way Gone” is a novel that shows how multiple symbols can be used for people to achieve the correct freedom everyone deserves. In his literary work, “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier”, Ishmael Beah uses symbols to underscore the main theme of freedom and oppression. Main symbols as the hierarchy of needs underscore oppression in the novel. Ishmael's symbolic gun becomes attached to him as a certainty of freedom. Triumph of the human spirit shows symbolic oppression on what the characters went through to gain freedom. Hierarchy of needs, Ishmael's symbolic gun, and the triumph of the human spirit is all main ways on how Ishmael Beah underscores the main theme …show more content…
Ishmael finds out from oppression that his gun is symbolic. As Ishmael's father used to say: “If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die.” (Beah 54). Ishmael deals with great oppression; however, he keeps on pushing forward to earn freedom. As the depression of isolation from other human beings, he believes his gun will be with him as long as he keeps pushing past the cruel of oppression. In addition, Ishmael's gun proved symbolic importance in him suffering from oppression in the novel “A Long Way Gone.” His gun plays an importance symbol by Ishmael Beah by when Ishmaels sees the rebels, he channels it to the loss of his family. “Whenever I looked at rebels during raids, I got angrier, because they looked like the rebels who played cards in the ruins of the village where I had lost my family. So when the lieutenant gave orders, I shot as many as I could, but I didn’t feel any better.” (Beah 122). As Ishmael's gun is symbolic to the theme oppression, his orders were to kill an infinite number of rebels. Although Ishmael followed orders, his gun led him to greater oppression by killing rebels. Lastly, Ishmael's gun is symbolic to the oppression of the novel because his G3 rifle becomes a part of Ishmael. “I had my gun now, and as the corporal always said, this gun is your source of power in these times. It will protect you and provide you with all you need if you know how to use it well.” (Beah 124). The guns show its symbolism to oppression because its Ishmael only way to cope with the war. Ishmael Beah has to live with oppression in order to survive and remain safe in the violent nightmare. In conclusion, the gun as a symbol helps Ishmael losing his family, friends and home, his gun is the only thing Ishmael relies on to help with the cruel
Show More

Related Documents: A Long Way Gone Symbolism

Symbolism In A Long Way Gone: Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier

Freedom and Oppression in “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” Symbolism is used in literature to enhance the mood, emotion, or themes present within a novel. In his literary work, “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier”, Ishmael Beah uses symbolism to underscore his central theme of freedom and oppression. Beah symbolizes the cassette tapes he listened to as a child. Also, he symbolizes the guns that were used throughout the war in Sierra Leone. Furthermore, he used the moon as a symbol…

Words 1073 - Pages 5

A Long Way Gone Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier Analysis

“A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier”, by Ishmael Beah, is a non-fiction novel that describes the personal accounts of the author when he was a child soldier during the Sierra Leone Civil War. It provides an interpretation of military life in West Africa while analyzing the use of child soldiers during an era of great conflict, as well as today. The general purpose of the novel is to inform the audience on the state of Africa as a whole, and to push the world into a more caring a charitable…

Words 704 - Pages 3

Summary Of William Faulkner's A Rose For Emily

people take to change. Some people come to accept this New South and others, like Miss Emily, still cling to the Old South. Through symbolism and imagery, Faulkner implies that the Old South must go through changes in order to progress and expresses the consequences that will take place if we choose to continue living in the past. An example of how Faulkner uses symbolism and imagery to get his message across is Miss Emily’s house. Her house demonstrates the distinction between the New and the Old South…

Words 400 - Pages 2

A Simple Heart Symbolism

art and literature, Gustave Flaubert, a French author, wrote “A Simple Heart” about the simple life of the benevolent protagonist, Fèlicitè. Though considered a Realistic story, Flaubert went against the Realistic elements of the supernatural and symbolism. The supernatural and symbolic elements are portrayed through the character Loulou, the pet parrot of Fèlicitè. Loulou exemplifies the actions of a true Christian and can be seen as a metaphor for genuine spirituality in Felicite’s life. It is…

Words 608 - Pages 3

A Rose For Emily Symbolism Analysis

Symbolism In A Rose For Emily “A Rose For Emily” consists of different examples of symbolism. “A Rose For Emily” contains symbols such as fallen monument, rose, and lime, all of these symbols represent Emily. “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner contains a variety of symbols that are used to identify Emily and her actions throughout the story. In “A Rose For Emily” fallen monument, rose, and lime symbolize the changes Emily goes through. Lime is one of the major symbols and the creepiest…

Words 620 - Pages 3

The Secret Lion Theme Analysis Essay

the short story The Secret Lion, Alberto Alvaro Rios uses literary elements to communicate his theme or message. Rios introduces the reader to two young boys who have just entered junior high and are suddenly met with drastic change. With setting, symbolism, and characterization, Rios is able to convey a theme about the loss of innocence when growing up. Rios begins his story by describing how when the boys entered junior high, everything changed. It was like a rug being pulled from underneath them…

Words 817 - Pages 4

Symbolism, Setting And Tone In The Raven

Raven’, Edgar Allan Poe’s theme of undying devotion is proven through the use of the literary element of symbolism, setting, and tone. In this 108 line poem, readers are to determine whether the speaker is truly heartbroken or undergoing complete and utter madness. The author, Edgar Allan Poe, was a great believer that to truly write anything one must first have a truly great plot. The symbolism in ‘The Raven’ has always been heavily debated. I feel that the raven stands as a symbol for the love and…

Words 796 - Pages 4

Sonny's Blues Literary Devices

them to convey the intended message in a way that is simpler and easy to understand as far as the readers are concerned. Among others, some of the commonly use literary devices comprises of characterization, point of view, symbolism, imagery and allegory, and theme. This paper focuses on the short story titled Sonny's Blues written by James Baldwin and analyzes how symbolism has been used in the story to offer deeper meaning. Prior to analyzing symbolism in Sonny's blue, it is important to first…

Words 1153 - Pages 5

Social Class and Dexter Essay

Vivian Simons Profit Professor Walters English 202 25 January 2015 Winter Dreams by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an encompassing tale of a man by the name of Dexter Green, who is looking to fast track his way to fame and fortune. Though from a middle class background, the main character is having a “tough of war” relationship with himself and society because he is attempting to be successful, gain social clout, be wealth, attract the eye of Ms. Judy Jones, and also be happy with himself. Fitzgerald uses…

Words 968 - Pages 4

Mending Wall And The Lottery

changing the way that things have always been. On the other hand, Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery”, is a story that depicts the village’s idea of a tradition. The people assembled and drew from the black box. The person who grabbed the paper with the black mark on it would be stoned to death, along with a member of their family. While some of the people like the idea of keeping the tradition around, others want it gone. Both Robert Frost and Shirley Jackson use symbolism and irony throughout…

Words 874 - Pages 4