A Long Walk to Water: Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Book Title: A Long Walk to Water
• Authors: Linda Sue Park
• Themes: Survival, perseverance, hope, and resilience
• Setting: Sudan, 1985 and 2008

Main Characters

• Nya: A young girl in Sudan, responsible for fetching water for her family.
• Salva Dut: Based on a real person, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan.

Plot Summary

• Dual Narrative: The story alternates between Nya's life in 2008 and Salva's journey starting in 1985.
• Nya's Story: Focuses on her daily struggles to collect water and the impact of a water well on her village.
• Salva's Story: Chronicles his journey as a refugee, facing challenges such as hunger, danger, and the loss of family.

Key Events

• Salva's Journey:

  • Fleeing his village due to war.
  • Surviving the desert and hostile environments.
  • Finding refuge in Ethiopia and later Kenya.
  • Being selected to go to America.
  • Returns to Sudan to help his people by building wells.

• Nya's Life:

  • Daily walks to fetch water.
  • Development of a well in her village.
  • The transformation of her community with access to clean water.

Themes and Analysis

• Survival: Both characters demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.
• Hope and Perseverance: Salva’s determination to improve life for his people.
• Impact of War: The personal and societal impact of armed conflict in Sudan.
• Water Scarcity: Highlights the challenges and importance of access to clean water.

Discussion Points

• Character Development: How Salva and Nya evolve throughout the story.
• Symbolism of Water: Represents life, survival, and hope.
• Real-life Applications: Connection to the real-world issues of water scarcity and refugee crises.

Conclusion

• Enduring Message: The story conveys the importance of perseverance and the potential to change lives through individual actions.
• Author’s Purpose: To educate readers on the struggles faced by many in Africa and inspire action and empathy.

Additional Resources

• Websites and organizations involved in providing clean water to communities in need.
• Books and articles on the Lost Boys of Sudan.