Arters AP Literature 2016-17 discussion

A Long Way Home, by Saroo Brierley. This emotional but fascinating memoir retells the story of a young, lost, and illiterate boy from Khandwa, India who was separated from his family for twenty-five years. After waking up frightened and alone after an unknown train ride, the boy is left wandering the dangerous parts of Calcutta, India and must survive two weeks of being homeless and hungry with no help provided. When saved by an orphanage run by The Indian Society for Sponsorship & Adoption, Saroo is adopted by a wealthy, and loving family from Tasmania, Australia, where he is given a new life free from poverty and starvation. Despite the amount of new opportunities received, Saroo still develops the desire to find his true family again in hope to reconnect and regain the strong relationships that had been lost. Saroo’s journey shows the true meaning of hope and determination, and is an inspiration that shows one is able to accomplish the impossible when refusing to give up.
What makes this story so unique and astonishing is the motivation Saroo shows in the story, along with the remarkable and beneficial use of technology. After getting lost at the age of five with no knowledge of the direction or route taken, Saroo is able to find his parents and hometown twenty-five years later using Google Earth. The discovery is stunning and unbelievable as Saroo uses familiar and recognizable landmarks to distinguish his home from the countless other towns and villages viewed online through the satellite images. What is so surprising is the amount of time this extensive search takes, along with the amount of hope Saroo contained after many dead ends and hours wasted. Many would not believe such a task could be completed, and would decide to give up, but with Saroo’s determination, he was able to relocate the small village he grew up in seven years after the start of his long-lasting search. Although Saroo’s mission was doubted and viewed as impossible, Saroo was able to conclude his mission, and succeeded in reconnecting and living a happy life with his true Indian family once again. The use of technology in the story is truly amazing, and it is breathtaking to see how its capability allows a man’s memory to recall the journey taken twenty-five years prior.
Another interesting component to the story is the two different lifestyles experienced by Saroo Brierley. Growing up in a poor village located at the ride side of Khandwa in the saburb of Ganesh Talai, Saroo faced years of starvation and poverty. Food was very scarce, and it was common for children to scavenge crumbs leftover from dirty pots that were left outside. Along with starvation, the children were not offered education, and it was common that children were illiterate and lacked basic communication skills. Despite the few opportunities given, Saroo was grateful for everything he had, and never wanted to leave the caring family he had in India. After getting lost, Saroo was given a new life that was the opposite of what he was used to. With a white family full of wealth and new belongings, Saroo was able to experience having meals, trips, and a quality education. With such a happy new life full of amazing opportunities, Saroo still decided to search for his true family so that he was able to reconnect with his past life. The choice of wanting to return to the poverty-filled lifestyle in Khandra after living the wealthy life in Tasmania is striking and truly shows the love and care Saroo had towards his family.
Saroo Brierley’s story is sure to leave an everlasting effect of disbelief on the reader as they are touched by his wonderful journey and discovery. What truly is a happy ending, this story shows that miracles can happen, and that one is able to persevere through struggling and frightening situations. This story is one that should be read by all, and is full of emotions for all to connect to and enjoy throughout their lifetime. Saroo Brierley is a role model whose journey is a symbol of determination and passion. His story will continue to be heard, and will inspire future generations to remain positive and hopeful through every situation and traumatic life experience.