What are some characteristics of Ishmael?

We are reading the book Ishmael at school and I need to know why he is named Ishmael.

The name Ishmael is Hebrew and means ‘God has hearkened’ or ‘God will listen’. In the Bible, he’s the legal first son of Abraham and Sarah, though he is actually the child of Abraham and a handmaid named Hagar, because it was believed Sarah couldn’t conceive and she allowed Abraham to sleep with Hagar to have an heir. Later Sarah gives birth to Issac and has Ishmael exiled.

In any case, one could say the gorilla Ishmael is in exile or separated from his origins. Since he’s a teacher, the ‘God will listen’ fits in. As for his characteristics, I’ve seen reviews that compare him to Socrates, challenging his pupil with stories and questions and engaging in a round about conversation. He’s obviously quite intelligent, carries some pain and is very opinionated on how things came to be the way the are and human kinds role in it. A very interesting novel and part of a trilogy also containing ‘The Story of B’ and ‘My Ishmael’ if you weren’t already aware.

Ishmael – Avulekile Amasango

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