1. How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?
[The tale revolves around a nomadic Somali girl, who is also the author, Waris Dirie. The entire text narrates about her upbringing, an eventual escape from home, survival and the path into stardom. At the outset, her life was considered a constant journey across desert plains as she and her family relentlessly searched for water supply. This tedious routine was eventually disrupted when Waris decided to flee from her father’s prearranged marriage. Her adventurous journey across the Somalian desert in search of her auntie in Mogadishu then began. Later in the story, she journeyed by plane to Heathrow, where she would work for her uncle. Lastly, she stayed behind in London and became a flourishing model. As a result, she travelled and toured around wonderful places including Morocco, Paris, Milan and New York. Last but not least, there was an account concerning Waris’ mission to locate a good husband, in which she suffered a lot.]

2. What is the main issue in the text?
[The primary issue in this novel would be the female genital mutilation – any procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. This is practiced throughout the world, with the practice concentrated most heavily in Asia and Africa. Waris was lucky enough to survive and in the long run cured from this disfigurement. Another major concern is the discrimination of the black African people by the ‘whites’. This is exemplified by the change of attitude of people towards Waris once her uncle ceased to be an ambassador.]

3. What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?
[Waris Dirie, the key character in this book, possesses qualities worth of esteem. To begin with, she is valiant and daring. She willingly runs away from the safety of home to the unforgiving desert without any supplies in order to elude the appointed marriage by her dad. Accordingly, she was only 13 years of age when she fought off two men in separate occasions when in danger of being raped. Furthermore, she was so enthusiastic to star in the Living Daylights film that she actually stole a specially-made passport with her picture and her friend, Marilyn’s name; risked being prosecuted for forgery. Fortunately, she survived the ordeal at the customs section of Heathrow airport. Besides that, Waris was also a determined and iron-willed person. She had the doggedness to make it through the desert and find her aunt. As modeling was everything to her, she put in incredible amount of effort to achieve success without giving up. Lastly, she was a caring and loving daughter. Her mom always had her hands full taking care of the household and Waris often tried her best to lighten the burden. Additionally, even after running away and finally achieving success, she went on a long search for her mother with the help of the BBC, a news company. In due course, both mother and daughter met up and spent quality time together.]

4. How does the text develop your understanding of the world?
[The most enlightening component in this text would be the life of Africans. In order to survive, most Africans endure back-breaking work, especially the women. Waris’ mother went through having twelve children and had to deal with the household chores. Furthermore, most Africans do not live with the lavishness of modern gadgets and technology. Waris’ mother had no other option but to wander off into the desert alone to give birth, and gruesomely cut the umbilical cord herself with something sharp. Throughout history, antifeminism is widespread and women are treated as a lower class. Although the situation all over the world has improved a great deal, Africa women are still being ill-treated. In Waris’ family, the girls had to undergo an approved marriage by their father. Waris was only 13 years of age when she was forced to marry Mr.Galool, a man whose age she claimed to be at least sixty years old when they first met. Unbelievably, she was ‘traded’ to the old man for 5 camels! Besides that, social issues particularly raping is rife in Africa. Waris was in risk of being raped twice, but fortunately she survived both attempts with her pride intact. Other than that, Waris was deceived and duped of two thousand pounds by Harold Wheeler with the promise of a new passport. It is unknown whether Harold was ultimately caught or not.]