Long Way Gone Geography

There are many aspects of the book HTTLAP that relate to a Long Way Gone, but one characteristic that is continually present throughout, is the importance of geography. Foster clarifies that geography isn’t simply restricted to being the setting, but it can be relevant to virtually any element in the book, such as theme or plot. He also stated that geography can base a character's actions and identity due to the circumstances and limitations it creates, and how it can help a person develop, grow or even get destroyed. In the same way, Ishmael’s life as a boy soldier was strongly influenced by geography.
Geography created tension in the story by limiting what the character can do and cannot do. For example, the lush trees which surround them …show more content…
How Ishmael reacts when the rebels force the old man to stand up after he is hurt defines how geography affected his life. “…I was crying internally and my legs and hands trembled. I clenched my fists, but that made the trembling worse…Before the war a young man wouldn’t have dared to talk to anyone older in such a rude manner. We grew up in a culture that demanded good behavior from everyone, and especially from the young. Young people were required to respect their elders and everyone in the community. (page 32)”The culture is part of his social environment and it determines how he responds to certain situations. When he returns from New York, he is happy to know that when he dies, people will care because they understand the value of life. Children, in some areas around the world, are taught to not speak to strangers. In the same way, they are also taught to ignore activities around them if they don’t affect them. But in the area where Ishmael lives, children are to respect all regardless if they know them or not. Ishmael feared if he died in New York, people wouldn’t care much because they don’t know who he is, and also because they haven’t experienced the value of life. In addition, geography helped him grow as a character because as a child, he was only introduced to love and guidance from his parents, but when the war hit their village, it forced him out of the hood of protection as he is to defend himself. First his family was taken away, later his brother. Moreover it introduces a universal theme, nothing stays forever. His village, family, cassettes and relationships were all taken away. Even as the end, his uncle who only stayed for a while was taken as well. If he wasn’t moved from his village by the rebels, he wouldn’t have been able to discover hid identity. Lastly, geography can also destroy a human being. After traveling to many places, he finally reaches, rather is captured by a place