W is the W- Chapter 9

(pg. 92) "Those who ran were shot. Those women and children who stood still were herded onto the soccer field...They wanted the women, the boys the girls, and these they gathered on the soccer field, penned between two dozen horsemen." (Eggers 92) This reminds me of Schindler's List, (thank you Mrs. Northup for playing this movie in class last spring. It has brought me so many connections), when Nazis were invading the Jewish ghettos. Every man who tried to run away were shot, and not just men but young boys too. Also like the young children and women being herded in Sudan, the remaining Jews were herded together, ready to be shipped to work and concentration camps.

(pg. 94) As this attack is happening in Marial Bai I wonder where all the SPLA soldiers are. Did they not come bully supplies from Achak's father? Their work is right there in Marial Bai, and I don't see any protection for the people. Yet, alas! Here is one. "He wore the orange uniform of Manyok Bol's militia. I looked closer. It was Manyok Bol. He was the only rebel this day, Michael." (Eggers 94) Manyok managed to kill one of the horsemen. Before being shot 2 dozen times and cut up into six parts and thrown down a well.

(pg. 97) "After a few steps, the men stopped. They had expected me to move when they moved, but I stayed on my stomach and held my breath and buried my face in the soil." (Eggers 97) Achak is running around and avoiding people like a runaway slave during the Civil War. Though people aren't necessarily chasing him, he is afraid people are. If the murhaleen are like white slaveowners, then Achak is like a runaway slave. The Lost Boys who are walking to Ethiopia are like the Underground Railroad, hiding from the Sudan army and Arabic horsemen.

(pg. 99) As I keep reading I'm starting to know Achak's real personality. He's always obedient to elders, kind, and clever, especially when hiding. When he is speaking with others he's very courteous, and his actions are always kind. An example of this is him opening the door for Tonya to use his phone. It also explains why he was in charge of youth at Kakuma.

(pg.100-101) Is it just Dinka translated to English that are making the people sound so blunt and unforgiving? Or are they really like that.? Shouldn't they have more compassion for Achak, or censor some of the horrible tragedy they are speaking of?
"-I'm sorry, Achak Deng, he said. -Someone is dead from your family. A man."
"-Either your father or your uncle, a younger man with glasses said. -It was a wealthy man." (Eggers 100) Perhaps they don't even think of saving details from young boys. Maybe they deserve to know. To know they evil in their country.
"Many women were burned inside their homes." (Eggers 101)

(pg. 102) Humor! Humor! There is still humor in the story regardless of all these tragic, bloody occurances. It makes my heart feel better while reading, even if they are subtle doses. Each character has a personality, no matter how small their role is Achak's life.
"-You were lost, the woman said. -You're an educated man, but you have no sense of direction! He brushed this off angrily. -Where is the food, Maria? How long must we wait?" (Eggers 102) Good thing Dut is going to be the one leading hundreds of boys to Ethiopia.


(pg. 106-107) "I had never before cursed aloud or silently but now I did, again and again...Damn the faceless man and damn the murahaleen and damn the government and damn the land and the Dinka with their useless spears." (Eggers 106) Finally Achak starts becoming bitter. If it was me I would have started getting angry pretty early. That is after I got over my initial shock of the entire sitution. I believe Achak's delay to anger is due to his naturally mellow, compassionate personality.





I think I'll add a happy rainbow picture to brighten my mood.











-Perfect. Oh look! An elephant!