Long Way Gone Freedom

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Freedom: A Long Way Gone Nelson Mandela once proclaimed that, “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.” In Ishmael Beah’s novel, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, he uses symbols to underscore his central theme of freedom. Stories, school, and music are all symbols of freedom in the novel. To begin with, stories are an example of freedom in this novel because they are influential in Ishmael’s childhood, they help him connect with his new family, and his future mother when he moves to America is a story teller. For example, in Ishmael’s childhood he grows up in a very story oriented culture.…show more content…
For instance, music is a symbol of his childhood. As Ishmael is recounting his childhood he reveals that, “During holidays, [Junior] brought me cassettes…I loved the dance and in particularly enjoyed learning the lyrics” (6). THIS SHOWS that the fact that Junior taught him about rap makes him feel closer to Junior and I what gives him some freedom in his childhood. Then, a trust system between him and Esther. “She threw a package at me…When I unwrapped it, I jumped up and hugged her” (154). THIS SHOWS that as Esther gives Ishmael the strength to start trusting her. Lastly, a recovery system in rehab. Before Ishmael goes into a flashback he reveals, “I had not slept well for months now, and so far I had been able to avoid my nightmares by busying myself day and night with listening to and writing the lyrics of Bob Marley’s songs” (164). THIS SHOWS that Bob Marley’s music helps him through the rough times. Therefore, music is an example of freedom in the novel because it is a symbol from his childhood, it is a trust system between him and Esther, and it helps him during his

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