Document Type
Coming of Age and Education Essay
Publication Date
2008
Excerpt
In order for a human to lead a fulfilling life, he must break free of the proverbial chains in the world of illusion and set off on the path towards the realm of reality and reason. Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" illustrates this voyage and quest for the attainment of education. In many ways, the life of Ishmael Beah in A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is a direct reflection of Plato's allegory. This is exemplified through his vigilante life style as a boy soldier, the rehabilitation process, and ultimately, the full recovery and detachment from his horror-ridden life.
Recommended Citation
Godawa, Steve, "The Education of a Boy Soldier (2008)" (2008). The Valpo Core Reader. 92.
http://scholar.valpo.edu/core_reader/92