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They Poured Fire on us From the Sky. Alephonsion Deng, Benson Deng, & Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein.

Daniel Jarvis and Emmanuel Chebe

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Point of View and the Reader's Interpretation Perspective

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Point of View and the Reader's Interpretation Perspective

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In this book, the story is told in first person from various viewpoints. Pertaining to this context, the story is told by Alephonsion Deng, Benson Deng, and Benjamin Ajak. Alephonsion uses first person a lot when expressing his feelings for the readers to understand. (Deng 52). Us as readers get a chance to connect to the book on a deeper level. In the book, the author shows how Benson can be humorous, expressive, and passionate about different things. It is overall easier for readers to comprehend the use of these in first person which is why the author set it in a specific structure.

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Beson looks back on the past a lot in the book. He analyzes situations effectively and thinks about survival. An example is Benson encouraging the others to try and eat as much a possible to stay strong (Deng 220).

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The book "They Poured Fire on us From the Sky" is about the distressing childhood experiences of three Sudanese boys who were a part of the lost boys of Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War. It matters because it transforms statistics into a personal story that emphasizes the lasting impact of war on children. (Deng et al.)

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A severe infection of the intestines marked by diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Noun.

"With not enough food, water, or medicine and no latrines, many died of common diseases like dysentery and diarrhea". (Deng et al.)

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An extensive and destructive fire. Noun.

"Amid the chaos, screams, conflagration, and gunfire, five-year-old Benson and seven-year-old Benjamin fled into the dark night". (Deng et al.)

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To follow and harass persistently. Adjective.

"They dodged the life-threatening predators—lions, snakes, crocodiles and soldiers alike—that dogged their footsteps". (Deng et al.)

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The tone shifts from haunting, to sorrowful, and to hopeful. The tonal shifts mirror the boys' emotional journey- showing the weight of their trauma and the resilience that carried them through. (Deng et al.)

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The most significant turning point in the book was when the boys finally reach the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya after years of starvation, displacement, violence, and wandering. This is the most significant turning point because it marks the transition from survival in Sudan to a chance for education, a future, and stability. (Deng et al.)

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The children- symbols of innocence- have to endure experiences usually associated with tough soldiers. It deepens the tragedy, highlighting the injustice of children losing their childhood. (Deng et al.)

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When the boys describe their village as burning. The sensory details make to horrors of displacement and war more real. It forces the audience to envision the hunger, exhaustion and destruction, deepening emotional connection and empathy to their suffering. (Deng et al.)

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Alephonsion is more light-hearted and "easy-going" than the others in the story. He adds humor and hope in really tough scenarios, brightening the mood. This source of optimism was a crucial factor in helping him persevere through the war. In the book, Alepho is eager to see his friends, which is what he expresses throughout most of the war (Deng 53).

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Cultural Context (Oral Storytelling Tradition)

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Cultural Context (Oral Storytelling Tradition)

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In Sudanese culture, oral storytelling is a way of preserving history and identity. The boys' narrative style -shifting between voices- reflects this tradition.

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The title itself is a metaphor. The metaphor translates the indescribable horrors of war into graphic images. This helps the reader grasp the magnitude of what the children endured in a way beyond plain description. (Deng et al.)

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Context: Time, Place, Circumstances (Sudan, 1980s–1990s Civil War)

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Context: Time, Place, Circumstances (Sudan, 1980s–1990s Civil War)

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The story began around the Second Sudanese Civil War, which was from 1983 to 2005 (Deng xxi). The northern government in Sudan facilitated the war against the South. They achieved this by bombing many villages and carrying out raids. The danger & violence forced the boys to flee, which is where they got the name "The Lost Boys of Sudan."

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Alephonsion Deng, Benson Deng, and Benjamin Ajak are known as the "Three Lost Boys" in the book "They Poured Fire on us From the Sky" (Deng xxi). During the 2nd Sudanese Civil War, they left their village at a very young age from 1983 to 2005. They had come across countless trials and tribulations, which, in his context, were war violence, forgoing strenuous treks in the desert, starvation, and residing in various refugee camps before settling in the US in 2001.

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(Key Events/Claims Resettling in the U.S.)

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(Key Events/Claims Resettling in the U.S.)

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Around the 2000s, the boys were luckily selected to live in the United States (Deng 282). This drastic change is very hard for them to comprehend in terms of culture; at the same time, they still obtained educational opportunities. Eventually, their story becomes interpreted to raise awareness about problems such as wars, violence, refugees, etc.

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Historical Context (Second Sudanese Civil War)

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Historical Context (Second Sudanese Civil War)

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(1983-2005) The central historical backdrop of the memoir is this war. The war caused the displacement of the Lost Boys- their villages bombed, families killed or scattered, and forced to flee. (Deng et al.)

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The boys experienced their first refugee camp in Ethiopia. (Deng 102). The boys somewhat had protection and shelter from the refugees, but they had to move out shortly. Following this, they arrived in Kenya, finding their second refugee camp. While living in Kenya was difficult, they received food, housing, and a schooling system.

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The theme of the book is determination and survival in the midst of hardships. In the book, Benson, Alphonsion, and Benjamin go through so many traumatic events, yet they still decide to keep pushing (Deng 70). The theme develops as they embark there journey to America. As they pursue their education, it shows a process of healing and development.

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Soldiers that are sent by the government attack their village in Sudan by committing mass shooting (Ajak 63). Many families were either forced to leave or killed. This embarks the part in the book where the three boys' journey begins.

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Many children, including the three Sudanese boys, participated in a tiring walk across Sudan (Deng 70). Many people passed away along the walk, and many of the people struggled with starvation, animals, attacks, etc. Despite this, the boys persevere through this strenuous process in hopes of making it out alive.

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Context: Time, Place, Circumstances (Refugee Camps in Ethiopia & Kenya)

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Context: Time, Place, Circumstances (Refugee Camps in Ethiopia & Kenya)

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They arrived at their first refugee camp in Ethiopia, Panyido Camp, which they later left for Kenya and joined the Kakuma Refugee Camp (Deng 102). The camps were hard to adapt to, given the harsh climates, the shortage of food, and education. The camps help mold the boys into something memorable based on the struggles they experienced nd the connections they made with fellow displaced people.

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Context: Time, Place, Circumstances (United States in the 2000s)

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Context: Time, Place, Circumstances (United States in the 2000s)

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Eventually, the boys move to the U.S., deciding to settle there permanently (Deng 282). The U.S. culture surprises them, given that everything is new to them, including the abundance of food, electricity, etc. This shows their perseverance and resilience to develop their lives and rebuild; they successfully rebranded trauma into storytelling/advocacy.

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"They Poured Fire on us From the Sky" - Alephonsion Deng, Benson Deng, Benjamin Ajak