Reading Logs Long Way Gone

How to Write a Reading Log:

The goal of reading logs is to help you to read your text carefully, and to fully engage the some of the themes (learning, struggle, resourcefulness) of the course.  Reading logs help you to apply the ideas of the text to class discussions  and other readings and assist you with ideas for your take-home essays. 

For each of these reading logs, answers should be written on loose leaf paper, or typed, ready to hand in.  Grammar does not “count” for logs.  However, you should make sure that you are answering each question specifically, according to what the question is asking.  This log should be about 3 pages (handwritten), or 2 pages (typed).   Each question requires at least a full-sized paragraph or two of writing.  Make sure you quote appropriately (As Ismael states, “ . . . . “),cite the page number of quotes in parentheses, and paraphrase (or re-state) the ideas of the text accurately. 

Each log will be due separately (see course schedule).

    Reading Log #1

Long Way Gone:

1.  In chapter 1, where does Ishmael start out from?  Where does he go and why?  By the end of the chapter, what has changed?

2.  In chapter 2, we flash forward to his new life in New York City.  He relates a dream of pushing a wheelbarrow.  What is in the wheelbarrow, and where is he pushing it?  What does he mean when he says, “I am looking at my own?”  Why do  you think he includes this chapter of “flash forward” here so early in the book?

3.  In chapter 3, he says, “That night for the first time in my life, I realized that it is the physical presence of people and their spirits that gives a town life.”  What prompts him to observe this?  How old is he at the time?  Also who are the five boys with whom he flees and what is their relationship to him? (Brother? Friend? Explain.)

4.  Irony is a “mismatch” or “disconnection” between what should be and how things actually turn out.  What is the irony, or ironies, of chapter 4?

5.  In chapter 6, how and why do Ishmael and his companions start farming in the village of Kamator?  What are his responsibilities?  Why is farming so difficult?  (Separate paragraph: ) How does this chapter contrast chapter 5?

6.  Think of all that happens in chapter 7 and everything so far.  Write a short journal entry of inner thoughts as if Ishmael were writing it at this point in his experience.  Make sure that “Ishmael” (in this case, you who are writing in his voice) refers to specific recent events.

          Reading Log #2:

Long Way Gone:

Chapters 9 and 10:

1.  As much as Ishmael experiences bad luck as a factor in his childhood, leading to much suffering and misfortune, good and lucky actions on the part of others, as well as good, strong memories, help him to survive.  What are some of these good and lucky actions, and strong memories in these two chapters?    And do you think Ishmael considers each of these “blessings” in a way?  Explain.

Chapter 11:

2.  What happens in this chapter and how is Gasemu involved?  Describe Ishmael’s response to Gasemu and give your own evaluation of Ishmael’s behavior in this scene.

Chapters 12 to 15:

3.  Use these chapters to analyze and discuss “what it takes” to “make a good soldier.”  What has been done to turn Ishmael from an observer to a participant in war?  What has been done to keep Ishmael and his fellow young soldiers loyal and willing to carry out orders? 

4.  The boys in Chapter 15 feel a sense of “indignation,” like they have experienced some great insult or hurt, when they are rescued.  How do you explain this feeling?  Would you say it is “traumatic” for them? (If yes, so what’s trauma?)  Explain with an example or quote from the text.

      Reading Log #3:

Chapters 16-17: 

1. What would you say are the most essential challenges that Ishmael faces in this part of the story when he is taken away from the war scene?  Name and discuss two such challenges.  Talk about each in a separate paragraph.  (It could be physical, emotional, psychological, however you see it. . . .)   For each, use quotes from the text to prove that each challenge is significant.

2.  Chapters 16-19:   Discuss Esther’s role.  How does she help him?  Do you think she has a “method” or “philosophy” in mind about helping such young men?  Explain.

3.  Chapter 18-19:  What part do you think Ishmael’s uncle plays in Ishmael’s healing process?  What does he “add” to the process of healing that Ishmael is already undergoing?

4.  Chapters 20-end: What problems does Ishmael still encounter in these chapters?  For him, is the war completely over yet?  Explain.  What are the signs that Ishmael has “healed” from the war and has returned to be more like his younger self?