Analysis Of Ishmael Beah

Ishmael Beah is a Sierra Leonean that was forced to become a soldier at a very young age. Growing up, the Rebels invaded Mogbwemo, his hometown, which caused him to be separated from his family. As a young child, he witnessed disaster take place before his eyes, day in and day out. There were rarely any moments in his life that did not cause him some form of psychological harm. Throughout the times of being a boy soldier, Ishmael was introduced to a lot of toxic things, drugs being one of the worst. He was given pills to take that would numb his emotions and increase his aggression. He was also forced to kill people as a test of skill with revenge being the justification. Thankfully, Ishmael was able to get the help he needed and returned to sobriety. He was given the chance to express himself and let people know what he went through as a child. He was finally given a voice and he used it to become a UNICEF spokesperson. …show more content…
Throughout the memoir, Ishmael has memories of a lot of different aspects of his life. Some of those situations are peaceful and some very traumatizing. The memories of his past motivate him to endure the hardships going on the village during the Sierra Leone Civil War, so he may someday be able to go back to the happy place where he once was before disaster struck. Remembering how he was full of so much joy and the carelessness of the world gave him enough motivation to make it through the days that seemed so unbearable. Memories can also be very hard to deal with at times. Ishmael was haunted by his memories during his happy times and good days. There were moments that he was in a good mood, then he remembered all the lives of innocent Sierra Leoneans that were taken away for no reason, making him sad and depressed