How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Gradually the smiles on people's faces assured us that there was nothing to worry about anymore. All that darkened the mood of the village was the sight of orphaned children. There were over thirty boys between the ages of seven and sixteen. I was one of them. Apart from this, there were no indications that our childhood was threatened, much less that we would be robbed of it. (12.4)
In Yele, Ishmael and his friends are able to reclaim some of their innocence… for a while. Of course, they're just about to be recruited into the army, so goodbye childhood innocence.
Quote #5
My childhood had gone by without my knowing, and it seemed as if my heart had frozen. I knew that day and night came and went because of the presence of the moon and the sun, but I had no idea whether it was a Sunday or a Friday. (15.1)
Ishmael believes that part of the innocence of childhood is being trusting and open-hearted. He's not like that anymore.
Quote #6
She did neither, but said, "None of what happened was your fault. You were just a little boy, and anytime you want to tell me anything, I am here to listen." She stared at me, trying to catch my eye so she could assure me of what she had just said. (17.38)
Ishmael hears this line all the time from the people in rehab and is pretty sick of hearing it. But this time, it sinks in. In our own justice system in the U.S., most kids up to a certain age aren't judged the same as adults, because we assume they don't really understand the consequences of their actions. Plus, they're really vulnerable to being influenced by adults.