A Long Way Gone Rhetorical Analysis

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Throughout the course of this novel, Ishmael Beah keeps the readers on the edge of their seat by incorporating interchanging tones. At the beginning of the novel, the tone can be depicted as naïve, for Beah was unaware to what was actually occurring with the rebels. Eventually, the tone shifts to being very cynical and dark when he depicts the fighting he has endured both physically and mentally. However, the most game changing tone is towards the end of the novel in chapters nineteen and twenty. His tone can be understood as independent or prevailing. It can be portrayed as independent because Beah learns how to survive on his own and to take care of himself. At the same time, it is perceived as prevailing and uplifting because Beah was able to demonstrate that there is hope. Later in the novel, Beah travels to …show more content…

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..” (199). At the UN, he speaks with many children who had parallel encounters in their own countries. Beah apprehends that he is not alone. After years of observing and instigating futile deaths, Beah finally values his own life. Nonetheless, while for the most part the tone was uplifting there were still reminders that Beah’s past will continue to haunt his present and future. Beah remains having nightmares and flashbacks. In addition, he does not completely open up to his family about what he had encountered and endured. Beah says, “They wanted to know about me, and I wasn’t ready to tell them.” (184). No matter how much support he may have, it does not erase the ghastly actions he has witnessed and endured and this confirms he is still fighting inner demons. This shows the effect the war has on people and Beah was trying to bring awareness to that by his

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