Journal 2 - A Long Way Gone [Pages 33-93]

On page 91, Ishmael and his friends reach the outskirts of the village where they were supposed to be re-united with their families. As they arrive, however, they meet up with an old man of the village and past acquaintance of Ishmael's home village, Gasemu. Shortly after, they agree to help the old man carry bananas back to the village. Do you think it was right for them to have stopped to help Gasemu? Also, do you think it was better in the long run that they were away from the village when the rebel fire began to take place? Are you of the opinion that being re-united with their families at that moment before the crisis was more significant than their lives? I believe that although seeing their families was their only motivation to keep moving, it was better for them to have not been at the scene of the massacre. There was no evidence that their families had beenn killed when they return to the huts to look, but at least they have this information to give them further hope as they continue on.

The Thirteenth Tale- Journal 7

Brandon,

I am surprised to see that Vida Winter was actually telling the truth. Now that it is revealed that Vida is in fact Adeline March, the story seems to piece together a little better despite the fact that many of the details are a bit ridiculous. It is interesting to me, however, that a child of that nature would actually turn out to be such an intellectual as Vida Winter is. I think there has to be some sort of that insane personality still within her from her childhood. Do you think that we are still in some way a character of our past? [Pg 150-200]

Makero

The Thirteenth Tale- Journal 3

Brandon,

In this part of the novel, Vida Winter explains how she considers her past to be a "compost heap". I find this interesting in the content in which she elaborates upon the analogy because I can relate it to my own life's experiences. Our memories and things that we have done in the past are what make us, and as they break down we become even the further product of our actions. Do you agree that even though the past can be forgotten, it is carried on within our continued, living being? I also can’t help but think that there is some connection between Margaret’s twin mystery and Vida’s past itself.

Vida’s false identity produces many questions which I myself at this time can’t quite figure out. It’s like a dead end, literally. I consider Vida to be just as much a part of her books as her soul is to her body; one in the same. Perhaps as we read a bit further, it may quell some of the frustrations in the plot at this time. It’s difficult to tell as to whether Vida Winter really intends upon revealing the truth to Margaret, or whether she will front out a lie as she has done so many times in the past. (Pgs. 43-46)

Makero