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The moon relates to the book's conflict which is society in Sierra Leone. Obviously in the memoir things are currently really bad because of the rebels. The rebels are creating a unstable society due to their hatred. Ishmael in a way is saying that the rebels should be like the moon.

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Relates to the character-development, Ishamel in the beginning didn't seem like the type to have attacked a young boy for food. But having to hide in the village in fear and not being able to eat for a long period of time changed him and his friends and them hungry vultures who attack for food

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It relates to the conflict of the book because the kids are being forced to be child soldiers. In the beginning, they are hiding from the rebels in an abandoned village with no clean water and food to eat so when they see the little boy eating the two ears of corn, they attack him for the food.

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This relates to the book because at this point in his journey, Ishmael is so fed up with running away and being scared that he decides that he would rather be lonely, rather than to live in fear with other people. This shows his character growth because in the beginning of the story he loved being around people and being with them but now by this time he would rather be alone because of the war

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This event showcases Ishmael's survival instincts. He had no prior experience climbing trees, but when he really needed to he was able to climb the tree. He wasn't able to climb the trees on his other attempts because it was necessary to his survival. Ishmael laughed at himself because he needed to find humor in something.

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This scene in the book shows Ishmael's (and his friends) growing desperation to survive. By this point, they're willing to take whatever they need from someone they can overpower. Ishmael saying that there's no time for remorse shows that later on in the book, when he's forced to do horrible things to people in order to survive, he's not going to have time to feel bad because he's too busy worrying about dying. The group start to lose their humanity just to live one more day.

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Ishmael's action of stealing the corn led to his transformation from innocent boy to soldier. This book however is Ishmael's story of how he escaped from that life. The ears of corn symbolize all of the atrocities that Ishmael committed during his time

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The two ears of corn appear in the story as they are stolen from the small child.  This relates to theme, as it shows how there is always light, even in the darkest situations. After they steal the corn, the mother still gives each of the boys an ear of corn to take with them. This shows that even though there is the starvation and murder, there is still good people that are willing to help strangers that have previously harmed them.

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Ismael finds the coconut tree situation funny, and laughs about it afterwards. Although, he was unable to get more food, it did improve his mental state. The reason he was unable to climb the tree in the morning is that during the previous night, his survival instincts kicked in. This shows how he was able to survive for so long against all the odds. His survival instincts saved him many times, but it wasn't until he felt safe that he could realize this. This small, seemingly unimportant anecdote shows how his entire journey has been going until that point.

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I believe that Imam represents the people who are tired of going from village to village running from the rebels and accepted death as peacefully as possible. He did not have to hurt anyone else to try and save himself and he died while praying, giving him a good chance of salvation (heaven). Many people are tired of running from their homes and have given up on the struggle.

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Ishmael has been raised and taught to "be like the moon." This adage describes the way that people feel when the moon is out. It's cooler, not rainy, and most social events happen then. It becomes a source of solidarity and peace as he hides in the forest.  Remembering the adage helps him to appreciate nature and his current situation (before the rebels capture him.

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The significance of the term "The Moon" relates to Ishmael, or in other words is a synonym for Ishmael himself. Ishmael in the book, references the fact that the moon reminds him of himself. He observes that the moon was still shining even though the clouds were thick and kept trying to cover it. This reminded Ishmael of himself because he thought about how he keeps going despite the hunger, loneliness and unknown.

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The moon in "a long way gone" can be related to many things, such as a persona, a force of security, and as a source for life itself. People should strive to be like the moon because the moon represents good spirit. Thus far in the book, the Rebels only attack during the day and travel during the day. The moon provides a sense of security for the people and their villages. Ishmael vividly explains how the moon itself embodies life. When he was six, Ishmael saw "the head of a man. He had a medium beard and wore a sailor's hat; and sometimes a woman cradling a baby at her breast" (Beah 17). Thematically, I believe the moon represents rising and falling conflict, because Ishmael has the most issues during the day, and has the least amount of problems when the moon is visible

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The term "two ears of corn" is significant to the book as a whole because it is not just about stealing, it is about losing humanity. He changed so much from innocent, child, and well off to savage, soldier, and poor. Stealing the corn matches with the entire theme in one scene.

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The fact that the boys steal the ears of corn from the young boy show how much pain they are all in. They are so desperate that they succumb to thievery. They become savages, which is a common theme throughout the story. They felt that they needed the corn more than the boy. The mother of the child also felt the same way as she later gave the boys corn. This shows that even in a time of desperation and war, there are people looking to help.

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The ears of corn are significant because they are a turning point in the mindset of the boys. Before this event they were still trying to return home in order to find food. This is the first time in the story they begin to stray away from

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This passage of the story paints the picture of the cruel and difficult time in Ishmael's life. He became consumed with loneliness for the first time. While in the forest, the reality and severity of Sierra Leone's condition sunk into Ishmael's mind. During this time, he, at the young age of 12, began his independence and took responsibility of his own life.

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The coconut tree is a symbol of Ishmael's will to live. He struggled for many days but he could not climb the tree. One day, Ishmael was so hungry that he didn't stop to think how, instead his body thought "I must". This relates to the entire story as it shows that Ishmael will find a way to survive, whether he realizes what is occurring when it happens or he doesn't.

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The idea of stealing is prominently shown in this section of the book and it shows the lack of emotion and morals everyone was beginning to show in the area.  This point is the turning point from a nice and open area where people could trust in one another to one of being untrustworthy. It shows the true survival instincts of people that are within an area of war. They became people they didn't think they would become, attacking a young boy in the effort to gain food, which was well needed for them. It shows the turning point for Ishmael and his friends towards immoral actions, closer to that of boy soldiers.

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The significance of the imam in the book is to show the brutality and cruelty of the rebels and the war in Sierra Leone. This anecdote shows that the rebels are not above killing a religious leader or civilians. As well as it shows the lengths to which the rebels will go to inflict pain and fear to the citizens of Sierra Leone. It also is an example of another time where Ishmael narrowly escapes death.

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The ears of corn are significant to character-development because it shows how far they've come. They have become so desperate they are willing to chase down a five year old boy. It shows their morals are slowly drifting away as they do everything they can to survive during this war.

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Ishmael was starving and never able to climb a coconut tree. Yet somehow in his desperate state of starvation he was able to unknowingly climb the tree and get coconuts to sustain himself. This shows that Ishmael had to do things he thought he would never have to accomplish to survive, relating to his violent life as a soldier.

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The fisherman plays a very important role in developing a memorable character and epitomizing the theme that humanity and hospitality thrive even during times of crises. There are many examples of the fisherman being hospitable, such as the following instances: welcoming strangers into his home, nursing and taking care of the injured boys, bringing fresh food and water to the boys, and not turning the boys into the chief of the village. This theme, that hospitality remains resilient, is even found in other parts of the book, such as the ears of corn incident.

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The significance of the imam is that he is the symbol of the people's faith and hope. Burning the imam alive is a symbol for the loss of hope. It also shows that the people can no longer turn to religion for hope that their current situation will improve. They can no longer trust that a higher power will offer any sort of help. This leaves people stop caring about their actions

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The two ears of corn relate to the rest of the story as it is the first time Ishmael and the boys result to savagery to survive. The theme of savagery is abundant in the story, whether it be the gruesome acts of violence by the rebels or the refusal to help fallen neighbors while running away from the rebels. This self-centered survival is pivotal to the development of Ishmael and something he will later have to overcome in healing.

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The term, "two ears of corn", represents the boys struggle to survive everyday life. This is the conflict of the story. Ishmael and his friends have to face life or death situations constantly. For example, finding food and shelter is a daily hardship for the boys. Hence why they had to jump one little boy just for two ears of corn.

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This scene relates to the book as a whole that the rebels; fellow countrymen, fellow muslims, will disregard Muhammed and the Quran and burn a religious leader alive to send a message. It really opened up Ishmaels eyes to how gruesome and cruel the rebels really were. If they were going to torture and burn alive a man of Allah and face his wrath in heaven, what would they do to a boy who means nothing to these men?

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This shows how people are willing to do anything in order to survive. And that they don't feel remorse since they need to live by taking sacrificing. so it fosho shadows them to live by doing anything to help themselves while not feeling remorse.