Analysis Of Salva In Crossing The Akobo Desert

When the Sudanese civil war reached his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva became separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan and Ethiopia in search of safe haven. One of the challenges Salva and the rest of the Dinka tribe faced was the Akobo Desert. I believe that Salva survived crossing the Akobo Desert mostly because of his personal qualities, such as bravery and persistence, and that luck had little to do with his survival. One example of this is when Salva had “stubbed his bare toe on a rock, and his whole toenail fell off”(53). Although the pain was terrible Salva continued walking, but began to large behind the group. His Uncle had noticed him falling behind and encouraged him to

He was “too small, and not strong enough yet...some of the others they will be able to manage better”(58). On page 59, the text explains, “If he were older and stronger, would he have given water to those men? Or would he, like most of the group, have kept his water for himself?” This quote shows Salva thinking about what he should’ve done, and although it was really brave of the woman to give the group of men her water, I think it was also very brave of the others not to. This quote shows Salva’s bravery and maturing identity through challenging environments. Another example of Salva’s bravery and persistence shown during the challenges he had faced was when he had asked his Uncle about his family and how they were going to find him if they were in Ethiopia. On page 59, the text states, “Uncle, if I am in Ethiopia, how will my parents ever find me? When will I be able to go back to Loun-Ariik?” This shows Salva’s persistence in trying to find his family. He had been asking himself this question for while and this was the first time he said it aloud. This shows how hope helped Salva persevere through challenging