Journal Four: Ciara

Ciara Workman

English 1109 10:30 AM

2/7/17

As a whole I feel like my reading is going pretty well. My active reading has improved tremendously in both of the books we are reading. I read a chapter all the way through and when I am finished I skim over the pages to highlight/ make a mental note of things that stuck out to me. On the first page of every chapter especially in “A Long Way Gone” I write a list of the main events that occurred during that specific sequence. Both books are great reads but if I had to choose a favorite it would have to be “A Long Way Gone” because I can relate more to the lessons that are subliminally taught as the book goes on. I also appreciate how the events are in chronological order versus randomly placed stories. Although “The House On Mango Street” is a fun book to read I can not stand how each chapter is a different story with a different theme.
One important survival skill I have noticed in "A Long Way Gone" is that no matter what is happening you have to do what is necessary without panicking. I feel like this skill was developed pretty early on for the young boy.  This skill is utilized when Gasemu becomes shot while trying to flee the rebels attack. As Beah points out, Musa couldn't bear the sight of blood any longer. He fainted. Alhaji and I took Gasemu's shirt off and tied it around his side to contain the blood.  Instead of fainting like his friend did Ishmael and his friend did what they had to in order to try and save Gasemu's life.