Character Analysis: A Long Walk To Water

“In 1991, war in Ethiopia sent the young refugees fleeing again and approximately a year later they began trickling into northern Kenya. Some 10,000 boys, between the ages of eight and 18, eventually made it to the Kakuma refugee camp—a sprawling, parched settlement of mud huts where they would live for the next eight years under the care of refugee relief organizations like the IRC.” (http://www.rescue.org/blog/lost-boys-sudan) The Lost Boys of Sudan were young refugees who had to flee their towns because of war. Salva, the main character in Linda Sue Park’s A Long Walk to Water, was a Lost Boy at the young age of eleven. Salva survives and makes it to America, through his hard work, perseverance, and relationships.

To begin, Salva’s perseverance

First, Salva joins another group of Dinka refugees to continue his journey. In the story, it says, ‘Then he caught up with the group, determined not to lag behind, not to complain, not to be trouble to anyone.’ (22) This shows that Salva is focused on his own survival and will do whatever it takes to make it to safety. Salva and others help Uncle Jewiir to build canoes to safely cross the river. It says in the novel, “Salva staggered forward with yet another enormous load of reeds in his arms.” (43) This means that even though Salva is young, he works very hard to help out and cross the river. Salva works as hard as he can to reach his father, and after many months of figuring out where his father is, he manages to reach his father. It says in the text, “Salva immediately began planning to travel to Sudan... Salva, and Chris and Louise as well, spent hours on the phone to various agencies and offices. It took not days or weeks but months before all the plains were in place.” (101) This means Salva, after not seeing his father in 19 years, puts all of his time and work into seeing his father, and makes it. In completion, Salva’s grind helps him accomplish his