A Long Way Gone

by

Ishmael Beah

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Beah’s Uncle Character Analysis

Beah’s father’s brother. Despite Beah’s horrifying and taboo past as a child soldier, his uncle welcomes Beah into his family after Beah has been rehabilitated, calling him son. His kindness is quite foreign to Beah, but he ultimately comes to trust and rely on him. Ultimately Beah’s uncle dies when Freetown descends into civil war, and he is unable to get to a doctor despite a serious illness.
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Beah’s Uncle Character Timeline in A Long Way Gone

The timeline below shows where the character Beah’s Uncle appears in A Long Way Gone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 18
Children in War Theme Icon
Companionship, Hope, and the Self Theme Icon
...they have to find a foster home. Beah tells him that he has heard his uncle lives in Freetown, and Leslie promises to do his best to find him. On a... (full context)
Chapter 19
Children in War Theme Icon
The Horror of War Theme Icon
Companionship, Hope, and the Self Theme Icon
Two weeks later, Beah is to begin living with his uncle. He says goodbye to his friends and Esther. He will never see any of them... (full context)
Children in War Theme Icon
The Horror of War Theme Icon
Companionship, Hope, and the Self Theme Icon
Guilt and Responsibility Theme Icon
Beah moves in with his uncle’s family, staying in Allie’s room. He’s given a welcome home feast, with chicken, a rare... (full context)
Children in War Theme Icon
The Horror of War Theme Icon
Companionship, Hope, and the Self Theme Icon
Guilt and Responsibility Theme Icon
...on this fact during the interview and is chosen to go to the UN. His uncle, half jokingly, doesn’t believe it will actually happen, yet despite the complicated process for getting... (full context)
Chapter 21
Children in War Theme Icon
The Horror of War Theme Icon
Companionship, Hope, and the Self Theme Icon
Guilt and Responsibility Theme Icon
...also ended up at Benin House, has also now moved in to live with Beah’s uncle. The boys are excited as they are about to start going to school, but at... (full context)
Children in War Theme Icon
The Horror of War Theme Icon
...six hours. When the sun sets, they head back to the house, to find Beah’s uncle in tears. He hugs them and tells them never to go back into the city,... (full context)
Children in War Theme Icon
The Horror of War Theme Icon
Companionship, Hope, and the Self Theme Icon
Guilt and Responsibility Theme Icon
Beah’s uncle gets sick, but there is no way to get him to a doctor in the... (full context)