Literary Devices

Flashbacks- On the first page the setting begins in New York City in 1998, as the page turns we find ourselves in Sierre Leone in the early 90's.

Scene-by-Scene Construction- In the story Beah's unique writng style is very evident, he switches back and forth from New York City in '98 to Sierre Leone in '93. This is a clear cut example of Scene by Scene Construction as the setting switches constantly.

Personification- Personification is when the author gives human qualities to non-living objects. When Beah says, "The trees danced in the wind" (10) he is using personification because tree's cannot dance.

Another example of Personification is when he says that, "birds and crickets sang" (22).

Similes are when he author uses like or as to compare two different things. When Beah describes the sound of gunshots from enemy forces he says, "several gunshots, which sounded like the thunder striking the tin roofed houses" (23). He is comparing gunshots to thunder.

Beah also uses hyperbole's to show the signifigance of the events that were occuring. Hyperbole is a extreme exaggeration used to prove a point. When Beah said, "My heart was beating faster than it ever had. Each gunshot seemed to cling to the beat of my heart" (23). This is showing how each gunshot went through Beah and how nervous he was.

Visual Imagery is used a few times. Visual Imagery is used to enhance the scene for the reader, when beah says he can imagine his father running towards him with outstreched arms, we, as readers can picture Beah's father physically running towards him and embracing him.

SOAPSTONE

Speaker- Ishmael Beah
Occasion- Sierre Leone, January 1993
Audience- Child Soldiers and all war torn nations
Purpose- The meaning behind the text is to explain the horrible Civil War that Sierre Leone experienced and to recount the actions that he, Ishamael Beah, experienced throught the tough years of war. Beah also aims to explain the horrible atrocities that child soldiers encounter in wartimes.
Subject- The subject of this text is the decade long civil war in Sierre Leone.
Tone- The tone is somewhat detached thus far. Beah is merely recounting and not reliving the events he experienced, he has a gentle demeanor and proves even the kindest people can transform.

Characters

Ishmael- Main character, his family was killed by Revolutionaries and he is a boy soldier in the Sierra Leon Armed Forces. His character is used to creaate sympathy and show the atrocities of the war in Sierre Leone
Junior- Ishmaels older brother, also a part of RUF but is eventually killed in a battle. Beah mentions Junior in the battle to show how Junior affected Ishamel and how good a person Ishmael was when he was with Junior.
Esther-Ishmaels nurse friend who he tells everything. During his rehabilitation she checks his mental health. Esther is put into the book to show Beah's transformation and development after he come from War. She is a guide to show what he has become after the War.
Uncle Tommy-Ishmaels foster parent who makes Ishmael part of his family.
Musa-One of Ishmaels home town friends.
Kanei- One of Ishmaels home town friends. Kanei along with Mohamed, are put into the story to show Beah's early childhood and how he became a boy soldier.
Talloi- Ishmael and Juniors friend who gets seperated from them at a rap contest b/c of RUF attack. Talloi is put into the story to show how the RUF affects families and destroys entire villages, he was lost in the middle of a attack.
Mohamed-One of Ishmaels friends from home.
Mambu- Ishmaels close friend he meets at the shelter, he is also a boy soldier.
Alhaji- Ishmaels closest friend, he was a boy soldier that is rescued by UNICEF

Reading Guide

4/26- 1-35
4/28- 36-71
5/2- 72-107
5-4- 108-143
5/10- 144-179
5/12- 180-215
5/16- 216-end