This document provides a study guide for the memoir A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah. It includes sections to generate questions, analyze themes, and identify examples of humanization and dehumanization. Students are asked to write short answer questions responding to prompts about village vs. city life, the consequences of violence, and examples of personification in nature. Sections are also included to identify major themes in the novel and analyze quotes in relation to one chosen theme. Finally, students are asked to identify cause and effect relationships related to war from the events in Ishmael's life.

1. Name: ______________________________
A Long Way Gone
Study Guide
Generate Questions: Short Answer Questions:
Remember Answer the following on a separate piece of
1._______________________________ paper and then attach to the study guide.
2._______________________________ 1. This book describes two kinds of
domestic living in detail, village life and
Understand city life. Which does Ishmael prefer, and
1._______________________________ why?
2._______________________________
Apply
1.____________________________
2.____________________________ 2. Reflect on what Ishmael’s many violent
experiences taught you about the
consequences or aftereffects, both
intended and unintended, of violence.
Analyze
1.____________________________
2.____________________________
Evaluate 3. Nature is often personified in A Long
1.____________________________ Way Gone. Point out 4 instances of this,
including the p#, from the memoir.
2.____________________________
Create
1.____________________________
2.____________________________

2. Humanization/Dehumanization
Fill out the chart below with as many specific examples of where you see this in the novel.
Quote with Page # How is the quote an example of
humanization/dehumanization?

3. Themes
As we read A Long Way Gone decide for yourself what the major themes of the novel are. There
is no RIGHT or WRONG way to fill out the chart so long as there is thought and effort in the
themes that you come up with.
THEMES
Now, choose one of the themes that you came up with and complete the following:
Quote with p#: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How does the quote relate to the theme? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Quote with p#: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How does the quote relate to the theme? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4. Quote with p#: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How does the quote relate to the theme? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Cause and Effect Relationships having to do with war from A Long Way Gone: As you read
think about various cause and effect relationships that have some time to do with war. Think of
Ishmael
CAUSE EVENT EFFECT