Ilunga's Harvest

America is proud to be capitalist. It means that the "average Joe" can become quite successful financially. Mikel desperately wants to teach Ilunga that his hard work can pay off, but it means teaching Ilunga to be more of a capitalist. Does Ilunga make the right decisions?

Ilunga's Village

Students last year thought the village was being greedy by helping themselves to Ilunga's harvest. However, someone pointed out that Ilunga would have wanted the village to help themselves. What do you think?

Ilunga's Pride

When Mikel first meets Ilunga, he seemed to be a true warrier -stepping out into Mikel's path in all of his splendor. Later, the village thinks Ilunga is embarrassing himself by picking up garbage at the market - something the dogs and goats do. Do you think there are things people shouldn't do - jobs that are belittling or do you think honest work is simply honest work?

Capitalism

After finishing Ilunga's Harvest, comment on Tidwell's assertation: "Like everyone else in Kalambayi, Ilunga needed badly the help fish culture could provide. What he didn't need, however, were lessons on how to stay alive. And that, I eventually grew to understand, was what all the sharing was really about. It was a survival strategy, an unwritten agreement by the group that no one would be allowed to fall off the societal boat no matter how low provisions ran on board....everyone stayed afloat."

Is this different than what you see in America? How? Which way is better?

Can you think of an example?

Ilungas Generosity

Comment on Tidwell's revelation: "And perhaps it was just as well Ilunga and the others weren't in a hurry to become the kind of producers I wanted them to be. They might develop along Western lines with time, but why push them? The local system worked. Everyone was taken care of."

Was anyone frustrated when Ilunga gave his fish away? Explain.

"End of Skill" and Vanessa

Vanessa loves Kente cloth because it makes her feel closer to her African heritage. The Ambassador loved Kente cloth because it was beautiful and skillful work. Neither used it "correctly" or treated it with the same respect as someone from Jimmy's village. But, in a way, both increased the value of the cloth by making it known to the world and popularized. What may be gained or lost by this? Is the value of Kente cloth then diminished or increased?

Jimmy

I would have made you write a characterization of Jimmy. Name one adjective here to describe Jimmy and support it with an example from the text.

"End of Skill" and Culture

We discussed the fact that culture seems to get lost as generations pass through the years. After all, America is the "melting pot" and old traditions give way to American values and American traditions. Is this good or bad?

"End of Skill" ending

After reading "End of Skill," we discussed whether or not Jimmy would return to his old ways, or if he would reform after seeing his father hurt so deeply. Explain what you think and what evidence do you have that supports your answer?

a long way gone

A couple of things really struck me as I read this novel. One is the pure brutality that some people had to endure before dieing. Not just emotionally—seeing family members slaughtered, but the physical torture. One particular scene which really affected me was when the rebels were forced to dig their own graves, then buried alive.

Something else that struck me is the natural instinct to survive. I know drugs keep Ishmael going, but not after he is rescued by UNICEF. Where does his strength come from?

What thoughts did you have while reading this novel? What affected you? What bothered you? What questions would you have if you were to talk with Ishmael?

Uncle and Laura

Ishmael had to rely on the kindness of his unknown uncle and of Laura. Neither "owed" him anything, yet both offered him a home. What does that tell you about society in general? Do you have any comments to add in regards to this?

Impact

Has this book impacted you in anyway? For example, I've heard of child soldiers, but have never spent any time thinking about them. This book left me with an uneasy, tortured feeling. It made me appreciate my life here in America, safely away from the wars in Africa. What, if anything, has this book done for you?

Novel Ending

The ending of the novel is incredibly powerful. At seven years of age, Ishmael had an answer to the monkey dilemma, although he never shared his answer with anyone until now.

In your opinion, why does Ishmael end the story here? Do you think Ishmael is happy with how he has chosen to live his life? Do you think Ishmael could have made different choices?

Theme

Ishmael doesn’t believe in revenge. “What I have learned from my experience is that revenge is not good. I joined the army to avenge the deaths of my family and to survive, but I’ve come to learn that if I am going to take revenge, in that process I will kill another person whose family will want revenge; then revenge and revenge and revenge will never come to an end” (199).

What can you add? What is your perspective? Is revenge a natural feeling? What can you do to avoid seeking revenge?

Ilunga's Generosity

Comment on Tidwell's revelation: "And perhaps it was just as well Ilunga and the others weren't in a hurry to become the kind of producers I wanted them to be. They might develop along Western lines with time, but why push them? The local system worked. Everyone was taken care of."

Was anyone frustrated when Ilunga gave his fish away? Explain.

capitalism

After finishing Ilunga's Harvest, comment on Tidwell's assertation: "Like everyone else in Kalambayi, Ilunga needed badly the help fish culture could provide. What he didn't need, however, were lessons on how to stay alive. And that, I eventually grew to understand, was what all the sharing was really about. It was a survival strategy, an unwritten agreement by the group that no one would be allowed to fall off the societal boat no matter how low provisions ran on board....everyone stayed afloat."

Is this different than what you see in America? How? Which way is better?

Can you think of an example?

Ilunga's Pride

When Mikel first meets Ilunga, he seemed to be a true warrier -stepping out into Mikel's path in all of his splendor. Later, the village thinks Ilunga is embarrassing himself by picking up garbage at the market - something the dogs and goats do. Do you think there are things people shouldn't do - jobs that are belittling or do you think honest work is simply honest work?

Ilunga's village

Students last year thought the village was being greedy by helping themselves to Ilunga's harvest. However, someone pointed out that Ilunga would have wanted the village to help themselves. What do you think?

Ilunga's Harvest

America is proud to be capitalist. It means that the "average Joe" can become quite successful financially. Mikel desperately wants to teach Ilunga that his hard work can pay off, but it means teaching Ilunga to be more of a capitalist. Does Ilunga make the right decisions?

turning point

A major turning point occurs in Chapter 12 when Ishmael is captured. He is captured by the government, and not the rebels. He isn't technically forced to fight, however his other choice is sure death.

What is your reaction to Ishmael's choice to fight? Did he have a choice?

family

When Ishmael is very close to seeing his family again, circumstances keep this from happening. However, seeing his family would probably have ensured his death.

Do you believe in fate? Do you think this was meant to be?

Ishmael also says that seeing his family would have been worth dying for. What do you think? Would you agree? What would your choice have been?

point of view

We’ve talked about the importance of Point of View. Obviously, this is first person. What if this story were told from the third person? How might you see Ishmael differently? What does the first person perspective give you as a reader, that the third person perspective couldn’t?

flashbacks

I think reading Ishmael’s flashbacks are very important. The story would go on without these, so why do you think he chose to insert them? What do they tell us about Ishmael?

community

One of the things that strikes me about Ishmael’s memories of his village is that there seemed to be such a strong sense of community. This is evident in the village’s celebration of Ishmael’s name giving ceremony.

There is an African Proverb too, that is something to the effect of: It takes a village to raise a child. However, in America, people tend to not like others scolding or correcting their children (other than, perhaps, teachers).

Which is better? Explain.

rap music

We touched briefly on Ishmael's brush with death and how Rap music saved him. You will see later how Ishmael continues to be helped out by his affinity for Rap music.

What type of music do you listen to? What do you like/dislike about certain types of music? When do you listen? How does music affect you? Are you particularly drawn to a song? Which song and why? Speak here about anything you want in regards to music and your life

Choices

Ishmael has had to make some tough decisions already in his young life. He has had to decide if he should risk his life and return home to find his family. He has had to decide whether to run with friends, or to be safer and run alone.

What has a been a difficult choice for you to make? Have you ever had to make a very difficult one? How did you choose? Was it the right choice?