On: A Long Way Gone - 10-26-2012 Exposition

It would be very difficult to try to convince someone, relating to the case of Ishmael and the boy Saidu that, given the boys will not face death specifically, the rebel groups and their scare-tactics within Uganda are merely building the strength of these individuals. The reasoning behind this thought has to circle back to this idea that these young men are facing authentic near-death situations; the most common context behind the "saying" being addressed, "that which does not kill us makes us stronger", more often relates to a much less dire situation than what we've witnessed in the recollections of Ishmael specifically. For example, one might employ this "saying" when attempting to calm the nerves of a teenage young man or woman, when they are having a rocky academic or social lifestyle. In the case of these certain teenage examples, there is actually usefulness of employing this statement. The lesson is that: "you can bounce back", or "it will be this experience that will help you develop into a mature adult". Unfortunately, when speaking of Ishmael and his constant shortcomings (in being both chased and terrorized by the rebels), once again, this idea of growing stronger from such experiences is nonexistent. The instance when Gasemu and Ishmael found themselves in a tension packed situation, where Ishmael locked Gasemu in a chokehold due to Ismael's tension from not being in his family's presence for as long as he had been, is a key example. There is no way one could call Ismael's terror-ridden state of existence, even when he did not perish, an opportunity to build the strength of this young man. After all, this type of violent behavior/occurrence would siphon any strength or hope in humanity that our hero Ishmael had toward a brighter tomorrow, and render any chance of building mental durability or stability nonexistent.