TOW #18 - They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky (IRB)

Judy A. Bernstein writes of the tragic events that took place during the Sudan Civil War in the autobiography, "They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky". This accredited book tells the story of three boys, Benson, Alephonsion, and Benjamin, the three of them brothers and cousins. These "lost boys" were sent across the world from Sudan to Ethiopia and Kenya in order to escape the terrible conditions of their hometown. The book is structured with alternating passages narrated by each of the three boys' perspectives.
Found in the title, the author plays allegory of the children's story, "Peter Pan" when often referring to the three boys as "lost". This comparison is genius, as it displays just how young the boys were when having to flee the country, and contrasts with the immature nature of the "lost boys" in Peter Pan. Another rhetorical device used in the book is vivid imagery. When describing the events, the boys do not shy away from telling the horrible truth. Benson describes the journey in saying "We could feel our bones trying to exhibit themselves to the world. Everything around us looked ugly and wild. We couldn't find happiness in ourselves, and no one could put it in us." This appeals to the audiences Pathos using upsetting and bleak diction. It also adds to tending the purpose: to display and bring awareness to the underprivileged countries in our world.

Before hearing of this book, to be completely honest, I did not even know of the Sudan Civil War. It is not commonly taught in History classes (at least Wissahickon’s history classes), so I felt a little ignorant to the situation, especially after reading the first view chapters. I am a prime example of why this book is so important in all its arguments. I hope in the future that I can have a voice in helping weaker nation who may experience similar cruelty such as the ones faced in Sudan.