Stripped of Boyhood

Eventually, the boys got to a village named Kamator, where people knew them and they were welcomed and allowed to stay, finally. Even though it was relatively close to Mattru Jong, which was still rebel occupied they decided to stay there. Everyone knew that the rebels would eventually attack, but no one thought anything of it. For three months, they stayed there and worked, until one night when the rebels unexpectedly attacked. They attacked during prayer, but the imam never left, so the rebels decided to burn him alive. “The semi-burnt body of the imam, as Kaloko had described it, was there in the village square. I could see the pain he had felt by looking at the way his teeth were bared. All the houses were burned. There wasn’t a sign of life anywhere.” (p.45)

This is a great example of what the rebels have done to rob them of their childhood. Not only the fact that these children have to keep running constantly, but they must witness things like a burnt body, it’s hard to think about, much less look at. Things like these can cause serious mental illness, and it’s just not appropriate for anyone to see, much less kids. Living in Sierra Leone at this time would strip you of your childhood, no matter what. Either you would witness these atrocities, potentially become a soldier, or die. There were no other options, no having fun and not having a care in the world. 

.As they were walking they spotted a bird who couldn’t fly and decided to eat it. That night they were walking and heard voices, so they immediately ran to the bushes to hide, only when they got up after the people had passed they found one of them, Saidu, had fainted. They were carrying him to the next village when he woke up. However a couple of days later when they were all waking up, they realized Saidu hadn’t. This time however was much more grim than before. “But Saidu didn’t move. He just lay on his stomach, his face buried in the dust. His palms were turned upside down and they were pale. The man turned him around and checked his pulse. Saidu’s forehead was sweaty and wrinkled. His mouth was slightly opened and there was a path of dried tears at the corners of his eyes down to his cheeks.” (p.85)

Another great example of losing your childhood, not only because of the death, but because of the fact that they aren’t even capable of being in the road when another group passes. They are living in constant fear and can’t even come into contact with others because of the dangers that come with it. Saidu also dies and I would be amazed if all of the crazy dangerous stuff they do and are forced into would have something to do with it.

The author’s use of descriptive language helps me to envision all of the hardships the characters go through, and that gives the ability to see how they are stripped of their childhood through this war. This war which benefits no one, at the end I don’t see how anyone could claim victory. The sensory details make it much easier to analyze because of how well Beah is able to place you into the scene, rather than just having it be words on a page to the reader, it is lively and mesmerizing.