Dawn Section: Book Reports
These ghosts help Elisha cope with what he is about to go through. Throughout the book, there is a lot of mention of the «war» between the Israelis and the British. At one point it's said that, "War is like night' it covers everything." I very much agree with this statement. War does cover everything, mentally, physically, and ecologically; war has no care as to who it hurts, why, or how. As Night is drawing closer to an end, Elisha realizes that he doesn't want to go down to the basement, where John Dawson is being held, and kill a man he has never known. That's a cowardice thing to do in their culture. "I said that I wanted to go down before the time was up, to see the fellow, and talk, and get to know him. It was cowardly, I said, to kill a complete stranger. It was like war, where you don't shoot at men, but into the night' you never know whether any of the enemy was killed, or which one. To execute a stranger would be the same thing. If I were to see him as only he died, I would feel as if I shot at a dead man." This, I feel is another powerful quote that makes good food for thought. I, and I'm sure others as well, can't even fathom what Elisha is going through. Elisha does go down to meet John Dawson, about an hour before the dawn. He gets to know him, about his life, and family. He even promises to mail a letter to Dawson's son after he's killed. When the time comes, Elisha pulls the trigger, and although he feels the agony that goes along with having to kill a man face to face, he does feel a little sense honor, not necessarily for the cause, but for himself. This book, I feel, is a definitely one to read. It shows a 'murderer' from a view that is rarely seen ' his own. And, it's a rather quick read; the book itself is of a decent length and the wording isn't difficult. It could easily be read in a day. Dawn made me take a look at my own life, and place myself in Ellisha's position. It also takes a good look inside the fighting that went on between the British, and the Israelis, as to give us a better understanding of what really happens in a terrorist war.
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