The author divides the plot into chapters that coincide with the times
when Rufus need Dana. They include: The River (when he almost drowns),
The Fire (when he sets the curtains in his room on fire with the intention
of getting revenge against his father), The Fall (when Rufus falls out
of a tree and breaks his leg), The Fight.......
The rising action begins on Dana's twenty-sixth birthday, June 9, 1976,
as she and Kevin are .........
The falling action involves Dana healing from losing her arm and then
flying to Baltimore to search the..........
Octavia Butler writes in a simple, straightforward style with uncomplicated
vocabulary. She writes the story as if she is.......
The point of view is first person. The narrator is Dana Franklin who
tells the reader through..........
The theme of the horrors of slavery is one that is unusual for a science fiction novel. Rather than concentrating on the possibility of time travel, the author makes it the mechanism by which she explores how horrible and long lasting were the consequences of slavery. Dana is a young successful black woman who is forced to live what her ancestors lived. She must accept the burden of the work they did, the punishments they received, and the fears they lived with daily. She, too, even though she's a soft, spoiled girl living .........
The theme of obsessive love is best reflected in Rufus. He sees Alice
and Dana as one woman with two sides, and he demands that they never leave
him. Ironically, he has chosen two women who are the most independent
and most appreciate being free. He tries every trick he can think of and
every torture both........
The final theme, the human need for freedom, can be seen throughout the novel. In spite of her love for Kevin, Dana keeps a great deal of her independence within the relationship. Even with Rufus, there is a line, which she will not allow him to cross, even at the expense of her life. For the slaves, freedom is.........
The complete study guide is currently available
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Word DOC file from the PinkMonkey MonkeyNotes
download store. The complete study guide contains summaries and notes
for all of the chapters; detailed analysis of the themes, plot structure,
and characters; important quotations and analysis; detailed analysis of
symbolism, motifs, and imagery; a key facts summary; detailed analysis
of the use of foreshadowing and irony; a multiple-choice quiz, and suggested
book report ideas and essay topics.
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on A Long Way Gone".
TheBestNotes.com.
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