Changes

Throughout A Long Way Gone, Ishmael goes though a lot of changes. The war changed his whole life and family. First he had to go through his family being split up and running from the rebels. He witnessed terrible sights including countless people suffering and dying.

Then, Ishmael was forced to join the army, and he almost transformed as a person. He became someone who killed people without thinking twice, and he fought with the same group that destroyed his country and family. He became involved with drugs and he was very angry person. It was almost like it was somebody else trapped in Ishmael's body. I was not surprised that Ishmael changed because the war had a great affect on him. It could not have been easy to go through experiences like almost being shot. He became angry and he became a different person who did drugs and killed people.

Then, Ishmael went to the Benin Home Rehabilitation Center. At first, Ishmael resisted and did not make progress at the center. Then, after some time, Ishmael became happier and he became more like he was before all the madness of the war started. I was glad that Ishmael did in fact make progress and become a better person at the center. I do not think he would have survived if he remained as he was as a rebel. Ishmael ends up going to New York, and I like that he got a chance at having a good life in a better situation after he makes improvements at the rehabilitation center.