Homer
How is Homer represented before the war?
He is represented as immature, irresponsible and mischievous.
How is Hell represented at the beginning of the novel?
Hell is represented as wild, isolated and separate from civilisation.
How is Ellie represented after she kills the soldiers?
She is represented as traumatised, guilty, morally conflicted and emotionally damaged.
How is Homer represented after the war begins?
He is represented as more mature, practical and responsible. He becomes the leader of the group.
How does the representation of Hell change after the invasion?
Hell becomes less safe and protected because the war reaches it. However, it also becomes the groups refuged and hideaway.
What does Ellie’s first-person narration & internal monologue help the reader understand?
It helps the reader understand her private thoughts, guilt and fear.
What representation is constructed through the quote: “It was getting hard to remember that this fast thinking guy… wasn’t even trusted to hand out the books at school”?
Homer is represented as mature, emotionally intelligent and changed by war.
What representation is constructed through the quote: “Even Hell was not immune”?
Hell is represented as vulnerable to the destruction of war and human invasion. This suggests that all areas of the world can be damaged by war.
What representation is constructed through the quote: “I was so filled with horror”?
Ellie is represented as horrified by her own actions and deeply affected by war.
What literary device helps show the change in Homer’s character?
Juxtaposition / characterisation.
What does the smell of “jet fuel” suggest about Hell? What language feature is this?
It suggests that war has invaded and polluted the natural environment. Imagery/olfactory imagery.
What literary device is used in the phrase “the rest of my life would just be a shell”?
Metaphor.
What purpose does Marsden achieve by representing Homer as changed?
Marsden shows that war can force young people to grow up quickly and take on adult responsibilities. It also raises awareness of the negative impacts of war.
What purpose does Marsden achieve by representing Hell as changed?
Marsden shows that war can destroy even places that seem safe, natural or separate from conflict.
What does the “shell” metaphor suggest about Ellie?
It suggests that Ellie feels hollow, empty, permanently damaged and no longer like her old self.