The Smart Set Read discussion

Book Discussion Questions:

How did you respond to the book’s setting in rural Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya? What special characteristics does the landscape hold? What is its history? Who are the people who inhabit it? In what ways do you think the setting shapes this story? What problems or possibilities does it set up? How might it have been a very different story if it occurred elsewhere?

What meaning/meanings do you attach to the book’s title? Instances of running occur several times throughout the book. What themes does running illuminate? How do these themes relate to the topic of human migration? How does the title include you? In what ways does the title help you relate to Majok and to the other characters?

When Majok is fleeing his homeland, he meets a series of people who lead him onward. If these people had not assisted him, how might this have been a different story? What motivates his choices to follow them? What other choices would Majok have had available to him? What factors push Majok along from choice to choice? Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?

“It’s chance,” a boy tells Majok after he has just described seeing a woman in the field who he at first believed to be his mother. In this scene (page 87) Majok comes to the conclusion that the woman prevented him from getting killed during a UN food drop. Michael attributes his mother with his survival. How do you think Majok’s mother has helped him survive? Why do some of the boys survive and others do not? What special characteristics do survivors share?

Many of the book’s themes are related to loss. What instance of loss most resonates with you? How would you react in Michael’s situation?

Majok is fleeing from a civil war in Sudan. From what you know of civil war in your own country, what comparisons can you make between the two time periods, the two countries? Look back in history, what other instances of exile and migration can you find in the human narrative?

Once Majok reaches a refugee camp he encounters soldiers. How do these soldiers treat the boys? What do you think the soldiers expect from them in the different camps? What comparisons can you make between soldiers and police or other people in authority?

Majok yearns to find his mother. How does this yearning change over the course of the book? What events trigger such changes? How do they manifest Majok’s world view?

What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces? Although this book is a novel, it is based on a true story. Did any of the experiences you read about make you feel like what happened to the Majok and the other lost boys could happen to you? How have those experiences lead to a greater understanding of the wider world and the refugee crisis that you weren’t aware of before?

Can you find any recurring images or motifs—animals, plants, games, etc. that carry the book’s meaning either symbolically or literally?

How would you characterize Michael’s experience in America? Is his decision to come to the US rewarded or disappointed? If he could go back in time and choose again, what choice do you think he would make? What would he tell Ayuen, who was so against his coming to the US? What words of wisdom would he impart to other new immigrants?

Just as the setting was a key element in the section of the book that took place in Africa, how does the US setting shape the story? What opportunities or obstacles does the US setting impart?

How might Mike’s encounter with the woman from town express the book’s message? What do you think of the woman? Have you ever treated someone from a different ethnic group or race the way the womabn treats Mike? Why does she believe that she can treat him this way? What race-based conversations is the author initiating? What race-based presumptions based does the woman from town make?

At the end of the book, Kim O’Day, her son and her students help Michael to reunite with his mother. Kim and her son could not accept Michael’s suffering. Can you see yourself ever doing something similar for someone in need? What would motivate you, what would hold you back? What new knowledge or ways of seeing the world do you think projects such as Kim’s make possible?

The story would be very different if it took place in any other location. In a more developed country, Mojak would have had more resources available to find his mother. The conflict would only occur in a warring country, so in a new environment there might not be a story in the first place. The setting and the people of Sudan make this story possible.

In what ways do you think the setting shapes this story?

The setting of How Fast can You Run plays a major role in the book. It shapes many of the events that occur throughout the story and created the environment that the characters live in. Some things that Mojak and the other characters encounter would not exist if the setting was not in Africa. It is a harsh environment compared to other places of the world and a different lifestyle must be adapted to survive and I think it makes the story more interesting. Even though the setting can be hard to relate to if you have never spent time or lived in Africa, the experiences and characters are still relatable and can teach readers about what it is like.

"What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces? Although this book is a novel, it is based on a true story. Did any of the experiences you read about make you feel like what happened to the Majok and the other lost boys could happen to you?"

Majok didn't have his father or mother in a very extreme situation. It is hard to put myself in those shoes for a couple reasons. I have both of my parents and I've never had an experience as extreme as Majok. In general, my dad isn't very involved in much. My mom, however, is even too much there for me. When I do ask her for help, the most important thing to her is helping me. I've always believed that I'd be fine on my own. I'm comfortable with being on my own but it has been nice to know that I have a safety net. If things ever got too out of hand and I couldn't handle it on my own, I know she would be there to help. Without her, I would be more nervous because if things ever got too bad, the consequences would probably be more severe than if I had her.

Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?

I think Majok is surviving on a combination of luck and his own determination. He moves around a lot throughout the book, meets different people and gains access to different resources, but what he does with those things is up to him. During his time in Africa, Majok shows that he makes the most of what little he receives. When he finally gets that golden opportunity to come to America, he doesn’t slack. Once he’s in America, even though it’s hard at first, he makes an incredible man out of himself. His character is three-dimensional. He often does the opposite of what he feels for the greater benefit of his friends and family. He never gives up hope to find his mother, but he does have to put his physical search on hold in order for him and his siblings to live their new lives in America.

Who are the people who inhabit it?
The charcaters in How Fast Can You Run are really well written. Most characters are from Sudan during one of its civil wars. Majok the main character has to survive the harsh nature of Sudan on his journey to find his mother. Even though he is really young he faces these dangers trying to find his family which I believe would be the hugest goal for a young child who is lost. This makes him a believable three dimensional character. Characters like his uncle Thontiop was known everywhere to be a great hunter who killed two lions with two arrows. The brief sections that included him were some of the best. Overall I enjoyed many of the characters in this book.

How did you respond to the book’s setting in rural Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya?

The book’s setting is in rural Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya. Being from Africa I was used to the terrain and geographic elements explained throughout the book. Since I was able to recognize these things I was willing to read more and more of the book. I was unfamiliar with the swamp life and other some other aspects but in the grand scheme of things, I was very familiar with the setting. In terms of how I responded to the book's setting, I would say "very well."

What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces?

Considering the situations that Majok went through without his mother and father, I feel that I would not be able to do the same if that had happened to me. Majok was raised in a rough setting and never had the life that I do, which made him a lot stronger even at such a young age. Considering his need to get to his mother was such a motivating factor for Michael, I feel that it is not comparable for someone who has always had their parents by their side. Michael’s survival instincts kicked in and drew him to work as hard as possible to get to his parents, even during such terrifying situations. If I was in his shoes, hopefully my instincts would help me as well and allow me to be reunited with my family. However, since I have a completely different background than Michael, I do not think I would be nearly as successful in the extreme situations that he was faced with.

Did any of the experiences you read about make you feel like what happened to the Majok and the other lost boys could happen to you? The experiences I read about make me feel like what happen to Majok and other lost boys could happen to me it is possible. Nobody can predict the future and nobody can stop something you have no control over. You can't take things for guarantee because you never what life holds for you and the people around you.

What factors push Majok along from choice to choice?

Majok is able to continue on from choice to choice because of his past and the future that he hopes is waiting for him. Someone like Majok is fueled by things that happened in his past that were tragic and they shape who he is as a person. He is definitely a strong person because he can use his past to push himself to survive. He also wants to survive because he wants to make it to his future. Majok wants to find his parents and the rest of his family so that he can be happy again. All of these factors help make Majok a 3 dimensional character. In the story we learn a lot about him that factor into him being a 3 dimensional character. We know that he is very young and small which contribute to his physical description. We are also given some insight into what he is thinking because the book is all about him. We get to know what his thoughts are during the story and how he feels about everything that is happening.

How did you respond to the book’s setting in rural Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya? Who are the people who inhabit it?

The people of Ethiopia are very diverse, with more than 80 different ethnic groups. English is the most widely spoken language, and is taught in secondary schools. The largest ethnicity, the Oromo people, make up 35% of the population. The Oromo people have their own language. There is estimated to be 35 million of the Oromo people. The Ethiopian people were a common target for slavery before the 16th century.

When Majok is fleeing his homeland, he meets a series of people who lead him onward. If these people had not assisted him, how might this have been a different story? What motivates his choices to follow them?

As Majok goes through the first part of his life, trying to survive the start of the Sudanese civil war, the people he meets influence the choices he makes. Stumbling upon Akol first before Wek caused Majok to eventually continue on his journey with Bol Jang Juol at the end of chapter four. If these three people had not been there for Majok, he could have ended up dead at the age of five and not have been granted asylum to the United States.

"In what ways do you think the setting shapes this story?"
The setting of this story is one of the main elements of it. It's like the other question how would the story be different if it took place somewhere else? The setting allows this story to actually take place. The conflict in the area is what caused Majok to be separated from his Mom. Had it been somewhere else this probably would never have happened. So the setting plays a key roll in this story because it allowed it to happen.

When Majok is fleeing his homeland, he meets a series of people who lead him onward. If these people had not assisted him, how might this have been a different story?
In the plot, the theme, the topic is escaping. He needs to escape this country and his destiny. If he cannot make it, death might be the best result for him. Those characters are factors that make this escaping happened. Those characters physically push the plot forward, they are like door keepers, every time when the Majok feels powerless, and they would open their door and show him the way to survive. If these characters didn’t help me, there will no doors for Majok, he would be locked inside darkness, and the result would be very obviously. So without these characters, this story would be a story about how Majok tragically die. But with these characters, the whole story reaches a higher level and become more vividly.

Great post Richard. In your first paragraph, you pose the question 'how does setting shape the story.' I think having the story set in a third-world country creates a sense of anxiety among many of the readers living in more developed countries. As Ms. Millan continues to develop the setting, describing the barren desert and the brutality of neighboring tribes, we start to realize that any problems that Majok and Co. face are problems that they have to deal with independently. There are no medical professionals, there isn't public transportation, there are no war laws, Majok doesn't even have his family to help him along on they way: they are alone in the desert with only their will to survive. And while Majok is doing his best to avoid stray sandstorms, crocodiles, and bombs falling from the sky, it can only be assumed that his mother is facing the same struggles. This ongoing anxiety makes the search for his mother all the more enthralling and keeps the plot exciting.

What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces?

It is hard for me to picture myself alone, parentless, and what is more to picture myself in similar situations as Majok. So far all my life was depended on the support from my parents. I also think that it would completely depend on when I would’ve lost my parents (for the sake of answering the question I will assume that it is 5, the same age as Michael.) It would’ve been difficult for me to undergo extreme and difficult situations because it was my parents who taught me to stay balanced and composed during these situations. At first I would be panicking, not knowing what my “game plan” would be. Because my parents always meant safety for me panic and uncertainty would overwhelm me. Eventually I would mature to the point when I will be able to comprehend my current situation however it would still be rather difficult to find the resolution.

How have those experiences lead to a greater understanding of the wider world and the refugee crisis that you weren’t aware of before?

This book really opened my eyes to the current refugee crisis that is happening not just in the South Sudan and parts of Africa, but across the world. People like Mojak are being driven out of their homes and left with no place to go. It is really easy to turn our heads to this issue and not do anything. I think the first steps to solving this issue is to make people aware of what is going on. This novel does a good job of exposing the reader to what some people are forced to do every day to survive.

What is its (The country) history?

Sudan is where the story starts, and where Mojak's family originates from

Sudan was an area where, like much of Africa, had early settlers that established themselves near a river. The first governed system that established themselves in the Sudanese area was the Kingdom of Kush. Eventually Christianity and Islam spread through the area of Sudan. Sudan was later added to the Ottoman empire. Then Britain set up the Sudan area as a colony after which Sudan recieved its independence in 1956. After a few years it became a one party system. And several civil wars take place due to the several different factions and their different needs.

Kyle wrote: "The story would be very different if it took place in any other location. In a more developed country, Mojak would have had more resources available to find his mother. The conflict would only occu..."
I would even say that the story is completely dependent on the setting. I don't think that it is appropriate to assume a different setting because it would be a completely different story. Mojak's story is unique, and changing the setting would make it a lot more common.

Joseph wrote: ""What factors push Majok along from choice to choice? Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?"

The factors that influenced Majok..."

This was a great post Joseph. It was very well written and thought out. It almost felt like I was reading an article in some famous magazine or newspaper. I completely agree with everything you said and I like how you ended it. The whole post makes the story seem much happier than it really is.

Danil wrote: "What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces?

It is hard for me to picture myself alone, parentless, and what is more to picture my..."

Danil, I really like your post because we both analyzed the same question and took it in two opposite directions. You put yourself in his shoes as if you had lost your parents at the same age as he first did, and I hadn't even thought about that. After considering that, the whole situation would be different because not having parents from that young age would force you to raise yourself, just as Michael had.

Danil wrote: "What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces?

It is hard for me to picture myself alone, parentless, and what is more to picture my..."
I definitely agree, having to grow up on your own without parents to guide you is tough to imagine being able to do and takes someone with a very strong will and determination. I for one know I would not be where I am at today without the support of my parents. It shows the kind of character and strength that Majok has and shows why he is important enough to have a whole story written about his struggles through life.

Juls wrote: "What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces?

Considering the situations that Majok went through without his mother and father, I ..."

I think these extreme situations would bring out the instincts that Majok developed. He would not have had the development he had if his parents were there. Even when he was with his parents before the attack, life was rough, so these instincts were probably subconscious.

Kevin, I totally agree with you that his survival was an combination of luck and determination. As you mentioned he met a lot of people that helped him on his way. If he somehow didnt meet these people I dont know if he would have made it all the way, but he was lucky to find them. If he wasnt determined to find his mother he would have never
have made it out of the village.

What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces?

After the event in the villege, Majok had to keep moving and did not have a place to stay or a place he could call home. I felt sympathy while I was reading the book. I had similar but not as extreme situation as Majok. Since, I started studying abroad when I was a kid, I ran into many situation that I did not have anyone on my side. The events made me stronger, but I remeber how painful it was. People do offer helps to others, but not as much as how parents do. My parents always helped me when I fall while many others got tired about me making mistakes. I did not have much of chance to say that I am still a kid. Only my parents understood my pain, and they were where I could rest.

Kevin wrote: "Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?

I think Majok is surviving on a combination of luck and his own determination. He moves ..."
I chose on the same question, i agree that his determination contributed to his survival,but i feel like luck played a major role. Often times people are lucky for so many reasons. From observation, there is always a survivor in every chaotic incident. Don't you just love the chapter where the man directed him across the dried-up bog to safety. The interpretation in the book made it seem as though the man was a ghost being that he looked different from the people majok was seeing around.

Mark wrote: ""In what ways do you think the setting shapes this story?"
The setting of this story is one of the main elements of it. It's like the other question how would the story be different if it took pla..."

I completely agree, if Majok had been born somewhere else none of this could have happened. It is because of him being Sudanese that he has become the man he is today.

Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?
I think Majok's destiny was already was already set at surviving. He did all he was expected to do survive and it worked out for him. i Believe that luck played a major role, as in chapter one were his mother leaves him in the hut- He waited, hoping that she'll come back for him but she didn't- with this i could say chance assisted him a lot, what if he had gone, what if he had been killed? He leaves the hut when he doesn't see his mother with the intention to find her but couldn't instead sees bodies covered with blood lying around, but he is directed to safety by a man that he thought looked like his uncle. This i could say is destiny, he was destined to survive, the book describes this man as being different from other human's as he looked ash? That could probably be his dead uncle directing him on the right path.

Kyle wrote: "The story would be very different if it took place in any other location. In a more developed country, Mojak would have had more resources available to find his mother. The conflict would only occu..."

So true!

Maddie wrote: ""What do you think it would be like to be without your mother and father in the extreme situations Majok faces? Although this book is a novel, it is based on a true story. Did any of the experience..."

Yes, one of the values of a story like this is certainly to be aware of worlds quite different from our own.

Kevin wrote: "Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?

I think Majok is surviving on a combination of luck and his own determination. He moves ..."

Well said.

Chris wrote: "Who are the people who inhabit it?
The charcaters in How Fast Can You Run are really well written. Most characters are from Sudan during one of its civil wars. Majok the main character has to survi..."

He does in a way hold the spotlight. Why do you think that is so?

Kian wrote: "Great post Richard. In your first paragraph, you pose the question 'how does setting shape the story.' I think having the story set in a third-world country creates a sense of anxiety among many of..."

Thanks for this though I must confess I did not write the questions. Yrs., Richard

Danil wrote: "Kyle wrote: "The story would be very different if it took place in any other location. In a more developed country, Mojak would have had more resources available to find his mother. The conflict wo..."

Agreed, the setting is essential to this story.

Richard wrote: "What is its (The country) history?

Sudan is where the story starts, and where Mojak's family originates from

Sudan was an area where, like much of Africa, had early settlers that established the..."
how odd he winds up now as part of South Sudan, the newest nation on the planet.

Ololade wrote: "How did you respond to the book’s setting in rural Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya?

The book’s setting is in rural Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya. Being from Africa I was used to the terrain and geographic eleme..."
well said. As someone who has done littler traveling it is reassuring to have you vouch for the description.

Daniella wrote: "Do you believe he is indeed controlling his destiny or do you think his survival is mainly chance and luck?
I think Majok's destiny was already was already set at surviving. He did all he was expec..."

I have a hard time accepting as Destiny what seems so clearly to be a combination of some luck but a lot more work. In other words, I could easily imagine a different "destiny" which makes me now wonder if that is the right word at all.

Danil wrote: "Kyle wrote: "The story would be very different if it took place in any other location. In a more developed country, Mojak would have had more resources available to find his mother. The conflict wo..."
Due to mans inhumanity towards man, there are thousands of Majoks searching for their families today. This story shows the strong unbreaking need to be with your family.

thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Jacob wrote: "In what ways do you think the setting shapes this story?

The setting of How Fast can You Run plays a major role in the book. It shapes many of the events that occur throughout the story and create..."

I am taken back to my AP Euro History course where we were taught something along the lines of "location is destiny" - where you are born determines (to some extent) your place within the larger fabric. The setting no doubt (in time and location) is important - even if transplanted to another developing country in the same time period, the story would be different - different power structures, cultural and religious values, and various landscapes.