Compare And Contrast A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah

Two different things that can seem completely different, sometimes can end up being the same. With people, there can be a boy and girl. One will brown hair, and one with blonde. One will blue eyes, and one with green. One will a high-pitched southern accent, and one with a low monotone british accent. They look and seem like opposites, but when you look under the surface they may be the exact same. They may have the exact same interests, and talk about the same topics. In 1984, by George Orwell, and A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah, the stories are set in two seemingly very different societies but the protagonists, Winston Smith and Ishmael Beah, live very similar lives in reality. At first, one would not believe this, based off of just a summary …show more content…
For Winston, this is Julia, and for Ishmael, this is both Esther and Laura. Winston struggles in the beginning of the novel because he feels alone. He feels as though everyone believes the Party except him so he has no one to talk to about his opposition against the government without being turned into the thoughtpolice. After very few interactions with Julia, Winston receives a note from her that reads, “I love you” (IN-TEXT CITATIONS). Their relationship budds from this note, through secret meetings. He talks to her about everything he could never say before. Just talking to her and knowing her made him want to stay alive and stop taking risks: “At the sight of the words I LOVE YOU the desire to stay alive had welled up in him, and the taking of minor risks suddenly seemed stupid” (IN-TEXT CITATION). Having someone to love gave him a reason to live. After meeting Julia, he was motivated and felt less alone, which made him happier and helped him realize the truth of Big Brother. However, after he is tortured in Room 101, his love for Julia fades away. They cannot think of loving each other after both of them sold the other out. Instead, his love turns to Big Brother. Big Brother is who he turns his faith to. He believes everything he says and does everything he says to do. Ishmael, also has two people that help him. In rehabilitation, Esther gives him an outlet to talk about his struggles: …show more content…
They have to put up with the challenges brought forth by a corrupt government. For Winston, this means pretending to believe everything the Party says and trying not to commit any crimes of thought. For Ishmael, this leads to a life trying to escape war. These governments limit their personal independence and free thought. Along with the mental challenges, these societies also put the characters in dangerous situations, often ones that could lead to their death. Winston knows he will die after he opens the journal, and he keeps committing crimes as if he is ready for death. Ishmael, on the other hand, spends every day trying to fight off death. Even though they are put into dark places where they are troubled and feel alone, they make friends with others which help them get into a better place. Laura, Esther, and Julia talk to Winston and Ishmael making them feel like they have a purpose and they should live meaningful lives, making them work harder to overcome obstacles. Ishmael and Winston, albeit they have many differences, live very similar lives and face similar struggles, both relying on others to defeat