Setting Discussion

1. How does the setting impact the story?
Vanessa: The story takes place in Sierra Leone, where people do not think or act the same as people in Canada. In Sierra Leone, the society and government is very different. Not a lot of people are well educated in Sierra Leone, and people are often poor. Since Ishmael lived in Sierra Leone, where poverty is nothing new, and armed forces seem to think nothing of enlisting children to fight, his life turned out much different than someone who lives in Canada's life. Since the story takes place during the Sierra Leone Civil War, Ishmael has been exposed to many gruesome sights and has experienced some traumatic events, which all eventually lead to him becoming a soldier. Also, since he is in Sierra Leone, it is harder for him to get rehabilitated because Sierra Leone does not have the kind of medicine and treatment that a place like Canada has. He also has a hard time being rehabilitated because he has seen and been a part of so many horrible things that are much harder to recover from than problems faced by people who live in a place like Canada. The rehabilitation centre he went to is most likely not as nice as a rehabilitation centre in Canada is. If he had lived in Canada, none of this would have happened. 
Jasmine: The story takes place in Sierra Leone. If he lived in Canada none of this would have happened. He lived in a place where war happens and there would never be a civil war, like the one in Sierra Leone, in Canada. Sierra Leone is very different from Canada.

2. How does the setting change throughout the book?
Vanessa: Before and during Ishmael's time as a child soldier, the story takes place in the outback/countryside of Sierra Leone. Before Ishmael goes on the run the setting is relatively peaceful and non-violent. Sierra Leone is also poor and not as developped as a place like Canada. Once Ishmael goes on the run, the setting turns depressing, horrific (seeing gruesome things) and violent. There is violence everywhere and lots of bodies and scenes of war. Soldiers and rebels are killing each other and other people, and people no longer trust each other. When Ishmael goes to rehab in Freetown, the setting changes to a city setting. Things are less violent then they were, and there are no gruesome things to see. The setting becomes safer than it was in the outback. The environment at the rehabilitation centre is completely different as there are people there trying to help and care for Ishmael. When Ishmael goes to live with his uncle in Freetown, the setting is safe and happy. Ishamel is happy to have this new family. When he goes to New York for the UN conference, the setting is a lot different from any setting in Sierra Leone. New York is a lot more developped and is richer than Sierra Leone. When Ishmael returns to Sierra Leone and the war returns to him, the setting is full of fear. Once Ishmael goes to Guinea, the setting is basically the same as Sierra Leone. The only difference is that there is no war in Guinea.
Jasmine: Setting starts in hometown village, war comes and Ishmael is forced to run to other villages. He is also put inot the wilderness. At the rehab centre there are different people, it is a different environment and there are people trying to help Ishmael. New York is way more developped then Sierra Leone is, so that was a big change of setting. In Guinea, the only differences in the setting is that there is no civil war there and no soldiers killing people in the streets.

3. Where does the story take place?
Vanessa and Jasmine: The story takes place in Sierra Leone, Africa and a little bit in Guinea and New York.

4. Describe the setting of the first battle.
Vanessa and Jasmine: The setting is in a forest/swampy area and is depressing, violent and there is lots of bodies and blood.

5. Name all the places Ishmael went during his journey.
Vanessa and Jasmine: Mogwembo--->Kabati--->Mattru Jong--->Kabati--->Kamator--->Yele--->fighting area--->Bauya--->Freetown (rehab)--->New York (UN conference)--->Freetown--->Kambia--->Guinea--->New York