Immigration Book Post #4

Quote #1:

1. "My stomach drops to my feet. If the war were to begin again, I don't know that I could live though it, even safely here in the United States. I doubt any of us could. We live only knowing that our families are safe. But this, a return to blood and madness---I am quite sure I would not be able to bear the burden." said by Valentino on page 289.

2. I find this quote is very insightful, because It shows Valentino's feelings about a situation that nobody could really have imagined accurately. It also tells the reader how he maintains, "cultural ties" to Africa. Not only does what happens in Africa affect Valentino, but it effects his will to live (including many of the other Lost Boys)

3. (Character Judgment) I never really thought that the war starting again would most likely drive Valentino to thoughts of suicide. It makes him seem all the more vulnerable to events now, since not only do things in America affect Valentino, but things in Africa do as well.

4. What would you do in his position? Do you think you would become suicidal?

Quote #2:

1. " 'Achak don't you know me?' (said by Moses) I knew the boy in front of me to be Moses, but the real Moses had been killed by the murahaleen. I had seen him the moments before his death. 'Achak, talk to me. Is it you? Am I crazy?' (said by Moses) I gave in and spoke to the vision.
'I won't talk to you. Go away.' (said by Achack) And with that, the vision of Moses stood up and walked away. This was something I had never seen a vision do before. 'Wait!' I said, raising myself and dropping my shirt. The vision of Moses kept walking. 'Wait! Moses? Is it you?' (said by Achak) As I ran closer to the vision of Moses, he seemed more and more a real Moses and not a vision of Moses, and my heart jumped around, as if looking for a way to exit my body. And finaly the vision of Moses turned to me and it was really Moses. I hugged him and patted him on the back and looked in his face. It was Moses. He was older, but was still shaped the same way, a muscular man in miniature. It was surely Moses." narrated by Achak (aka "Valentino") on page 270.

2. I thought it was very important to the storyline, because Achak thought Moses was dead. Now that Moses is alive, Achak has a friend from his home village Marial Bai, and this will help the both of them get through their refugee life. Achak may have lost his will to live had he not met Moses again. I also thought this was a very emotional part

3. (Personal Connection) I was watching a movie once, about a refugee in Uganda. He made it to a camp, and was understandably depressed. But then he met his brother, who he thought was dead. When they saw eachother, they greeted eachother similar to the way Achak and Moses did once Achak realized it wasn't another vision.

4. What would you do after Achak said "Go away." if you were Moses?