Lit. Circle Post Three

What is the What

Sunday, March 14



Page 349, Par. 2

“Even though we would soon cross the border into a country without war, this time I had no dreams of bowls of oranges. I knew that the world was the same everywhere, that there were only inconsequential variations between the suffering in one place and another.”

Significance: After arriving in Ethiopia, Achak realizes that the country is not so much different that Sudan and that William K’s visions were faulty. Now when he is walking to Kenya he does not let visions of a better life in the country intensify in his mind like he did when journeying to Ethiopia. I think that this shows that Achak has not only learned from experience but also how little hope he has. After being disappointed once he knows that he should not imagine things like it again because he will only be disheartened. I think that this is sad because he is only a boy. Children are supposed to dream but Achak, having his life turned upside down due to the civil war in Sudan, cannot because he know what will happen.

Personal Experience: Although I have not suffered as much disappointment as Achak has, I know that I, (and every other person) have indeed been disappointed. This gives me some insight to what Achak feels constantly, even if I only know a fraction of his disappointment.

Question: What is the most intense disappointment you have experience and how does it measure up to the disappointment Achak has faced?



Page 357, Par. 5

“God has a problem with me.”

Significance: I think that this sentence summarizes Achak’s experience throughout his journey leaving Sudan and coming to America. He went through so many horrific events that his life seems to be cursed. After having to be traumatized throughout his journey out of Sudan, when in America he still continues to have bad luck. Some examples are Tabitha dying and being robbed. It makes me feel bad for him, but I also realize that he has been lucky. There are countless others who did not even make it to Kakuma or even Pinyudo. Achak made it to America.

Personal Experience: I know that every person has felt sorry for him or herself at least once, so I know that Achak felt that the whole world was against him and that everything bad was happening to him. I can relate to how he felt because many times a sequence of bad things have happened to me and I felt like I was cursed. It is like in those cartoons where the character says that it can’t get any worse and then it starts to rain.

Question: What is one time that you felt like you were cursed and that the world was against you?