Radiance of Tomorrow Ishmael Beah Tyler Love and Jamie Tao Setting

Question Briefly describe each of the following places referenced in the book- Imperi, Kono, and Freetown. What do you notice about the name of each city/town? Consider symbolism and irony Compare/contrast each setting. Discuss the possible positives and negatives of each environment. Discuss the role of power and corruption in each setting. Theme A town's values and traditions can be demolished by corruption leading to the loss of citizen support for their hometown.

Imperi Symbolism/Irony The name given to the fictional town may suggest that the author wanted to make the town seem like it's its own empire, with the citizens as the supreme leaders. However, the town is hardly an empire, as it is not large nor powerful enough to stand up for itself or expand. Positive There is a strong sense of community in Imperi. All of its citizens strongly care about the people, land, and traditions of the village. Negative After the war, the village is left in ruins and the people have to gradually rebuild it. Power/Corruption Corrupt people enter the community, demolishing the citizens' traditions and values (Mining company, principal, paramount chief) "Bones were littered around the town and the nearby bushes. It was the same for the many towns and villages they had passed through; some were burnt and some had become forests, with trees growing inside houses. So they made a decision to take the bones to the cemetery and pile them there until it could be agreed upon by the whole town, when enough people had returned, what to do with the remains." (Chapter 1, page 10)

Kono Symbolism/irony- Although the town is a diamond mining town, most of the citizens are diamond miners, but aren't wealthy Positive- After Benjamin's death, his family is able to meet/see his parents again after many years Negative- Everyday explosions occur near the town, and families are forced out of their homes. People are killed and wounded by flying rocks Power and corruption- Police and government officials side with the diamond mining company, although many die after the bombings that occur at night. (Pg. 179) Bockarie overhears two rich men discussing how they use the land for their operations in order to make money. They don't actually appreciate the beauty of the land. (Pg. 175) "Men came out shirtless and picked up their littlest children, the others trailing behind, and ran toward the center of town. Women who were already up followed their families with whatever food they could grab during the commotion. Young children were everywhere, but their faces told that they had done this a lot." (Chapter 12 page 178)

Freetown ●Symbolism/Irony Although the town is called free, Bockarie and his family face many hardships while adjusting to their new move. Also people affected by the war live in the streets and beg. ●Positive Bockarie's family are able to start over in the new city after moving from Imperial, a war torn village that is still broken down from a corrupt company ●Negative Bockarie and Kula are discriminated, when trying to get a job or other activities. The political and educational system are also corrupt. ●Power and Corruption Most of the people that live in Bockarie's neighborhood don't have electricity while the government officials that live there have some. Also, within the school/college, the teacher is able to blackmail students of he feels that he is challenged by one, meaning that students aren't supposed to ask questions. "People complained. Some said they didn't have jobs; some said they were students with no income; others said they had paid but no one told them to carry their reciepts at all times. It didn't matter. Everyone was made to pay. Reciepts were provided but you couldn't tell which of them were real."

This is a map of Sierra Leone. The capital city, Freetown, is bolded. Koidu, the largest city in the Kono district, is boxed in red. Bockarie travelled to Koidu with Fatu to alert Benjamin’s parents about their son’s death. Later, Bockarie moved his family to Freetown, which was a dramatic change from living in the small, still recovering village of Imperi.