Tomorrow, When the War Began Chapter 9-Epilogue

Why, in Ellie’s opinion, is Cobbler’s Bay and Wirrawee so important to the invaders? Pg. 108
Ellie says on p108,  "...I reckon they've landed in Cobbler's Bay, and their main interest in Wirrawee is to keep it quiet so they can get free access to the rest of the country. Cobbler's Bay is such a great harbour, and remember... ...I bet it's full of ships and there's traffic pouring down the highway right now."

Corrie and Ellie reminisce about how innocent they were in high school and even a few days ago. Why were they still innocent then? Why are they no longer innocent? Pg. 107
Ellie says on p107, "...But I've learnt something now, Corrie, we were still innocent. Right up to yesterday. We didn;t believe in Santa Calus, but we believed in other fantasies. You said it. You said the big one. We believed we were safe. That was the big fantasy. Now we're not, and like you said, we'll never feel safe again, and so it's bye-bye innocence." Corrie and Ellie consider their 'innocence' to be their ability to use their imagination and believe in things that aren't true; in fantasies. The last fantasy they believed in was the thought that they were safe, because they had been up until the day before p107 takes place. Once they realised they weren't safe, they had nothing to fantasise about, and therefore, are no longer innocent.

By blowing up Corrie’s house, what does the invading force demonstrate to the teenagers?

The invading force demonstrates to the teenagers that they are not only aware of their existence, but that they have the power to take them out at any moment. If they could blow up a house like it was nothing, what else could they do?

Describe the strategy Homer and Ellie use to ensure their safety when riding their bikes into town. What does this show about how they are starting to think? P 124-125

The two keep to the edge of the road as they bike along, to limit their visiblity. Homer rode two hundred metres behind Ellie, to thin their sillhouette and make them more difficult to see in the dim light. At each curve, Ellie would get off of her bike, sneak up to the corner, and then peer around it to make sure they were clear to go around. Ellie and Homer are starting to think like survivalists, thinking through each and every action they make to ensure their safety.

How does Ellie feel as she is waiting in the truck at the Council Depot? Where do her emotions come from? P. 141

Cold, fear, excitement. They were all contributing generously. But the greatest of these was fear... ...My fear came from love. Love for my friends. I didnt want to let them down. If I did, they would die.

Why is it so terrible that Chris falls asleep while on sentry duty? How does Ellie react? Why do you think she reacts this way? How does she feel about her reaction later? Pg.162

A sentry's job is to play lookout and ensure that their position has not been compromised, and that there are no invaders approaching. A sentry prevents an ambush. If Chris, the sentry was to fall asleep, then there would be nobody around to alert the others if there was an incoming ambush, compromising the safety of the teenagers. Ellie scolded Chris for falling asleep on the job, and Chris 'walked off, red-faced and muttering under his breath.' Ellie then went on to feel guilty about her outburst and had a nervous breakdown, not eating and becoming unsociable. 

All the teenagers have a specific role to play in their group. Describe the roles each teenager plays?

According to what the teenagers hear on Corries radio, why would America be best not to get involved in Australia’s struggle? P. 168

The man on the radio says, "...Warned America not to get involved. The General said that AMerica would find herself in the longest, costliest and bloodiest war in her history if she tried to intervene. He said his forces have occupied several major coastal cities. Much of the inland has been taken already, and losses have been below expectations. Many civilians and military prisoners have been captured already, and losses have been below expectations. Many civilian and military risoners have been captured and are being held in humanitarian conditions. Red Cross teams will be permitted to inspect them when the situation stabalises."

Why do you think Australia being invaded?

Australia has a lot of land, and very little people to occupy them.

What do Kevin and Robyn argue about? Do you think Robyn’s points are fair? P.170-171

Robyn and Kevin argue about why the invaders might want to take Australia. Robyn sympathises with the invaders, noting that Australia has a lot of land and little people to occupy all of it, and Kevin doesn't mind, noting "That's the way the cookie crumbles." There is no right or wrong to the argument, because while there is a large amount of unused land in Australia, invading a country to take it is morally substandard.

“Paradise of Hell” is an oxymoron. What does it mean.

Hell is typically used to describe a place that has unsatisfactory qualities. Paradise is typically used to decribe a place with satisfactory qualities. In this case, 'Hell' is used as a name, rather than as a comparison. Hell, the place within the story, being a beautiful, secluded area, is a nice place.

Kevin’s hatred of the invaders is quite extreme. Why do you think he is so angry? P.173-174 

The invaders have come into Kevin's homeland, the place he has lived all his life, and the place he cherishes most, and then takes the people he cherishes most, his family, and imprisons them. If I was in Kevin's shoes, I too would be unhappy.

Despite the fact that the teenagers are in the midst of a war zone, evading enemy soldiers and planning guerrilla operations, they still find time to harbour romances. Do you think this is realistic? P.178

I don't think this is realistic, because they are in a survivalist situation where their life is constantly on the line, and I would think that love interests and romances would not be a top priority.

Briefly summarise the story of the Hermit from Hell. Do you believe he killed his family? P.207-208 (5 key points)
The Hermit was supposedly a man who killed his immediate family and then hid in isolation in a small hut, stationed in Hell. I believe that the Hermit (Bertram Hubert Sexton Christie) killed his family, because (according to Harold Amory Douglas Batty's report):
1. "That both deceased (Imogen Mary Christie ((Wife)) and Alfred Bertram Christie ((Son))) met their deaths on or about Dece,ber 24 last, at the hands of BERTRAM HUBERT SEXTON CHRISTIE, as a result of bullet wounds to the head."
2. "That severe bushfires were burning on and around the Aberfoyle track, the Mt Tumbler-Mt Octopus Road, Wild Goat Track, and to south of Pink Moutntain, which had the effect of isolating the Christie property, and this informaton was known to Bertram."
3.  "That both deceased met their deaths EITHER as a result of bushfire consuming the Christie residence, during which both were terribly burnt, and that Bertram, beliving their injuries to be mortal and unable to bear their suffering, and knowing also that medical aid was beyond immediate reach, killed both deceased with single shots to the head from a rifle owned by Bertram; and that is the testimony of Bertram..."
4. "...OR that both deceased were willfully and feloniously murdered by Bertram with the aforesaid rifle, and the bodies deliberately burned in an attempt to conceal the facts of the case."
5. "RECOMMENDED:... ...That the Director of Public POrsecutions lays an information of WILFUL AND FELONIOUS MURDER against BERTRAM HUBERT SEXTON CHRISTIE."

Why does Ellie feel uncomfortable with Chris bringing cigarettes and alcohol into Hell? P.221
Smoking and drinking are addictive activities, and both are in limited supply. If one was to get addicted, they would eventually have to go through withdrawal symptoms, which benefits nobody. Smoking and drinking are also unnecessary leisure activities.

What happened to the soldiers involved in the lawnmower incident, according to Robyn? How does this make Ellie feel? P.224
Robyn says "Those three soldiers hit by the ride-on mower, two of them died, they think. And two of the people we ran over."

What is meant by a “clean war”? Why are the invaders so intent on having a ‘clean war’? P224-225
A 'clean war' is a war in which only the opposing side's forces are hurt. No civilian casualties. A clean war would mean that the invaders would attract little attention from the Red Cross, and by extension, the far more powerful United Nations.

Why do you think prisoners are sent to clean up the houses around town?
I think that the invaders are keeping the town clean because they intend to colonise it for themselves, and want a well maintained area to take over.

What makes Ellie think the soldiers walking past them are professionals? P.244-245
The soldiers move together in perfect unison, and with extreme efficiency.

What are some clues that the group is starting to think ‘more like soldiers’?
The group has started to think more about their own safety, and are thinking more logically about their actions.

Why is Ellie nervous about being paired with Fi? P.255-256 Were her concerns about Fi realised? Explain.

Ellie is nervous about being paired with Fi because Fi is not used to tasks involving physical labour, and is still hesitant about taking action.

What is true courage according to Ellie? P. 256

"... because I guess true courage is when you're really scared but you do it." (a task) 

What problems do Fi and Ellie encounter on their mission to bring the tanker to the appropriate place under the bridge? How do they deal with these problems

The first problem they encountered was that the fence cut was not big enough, and so they cut more of it. The second problem they encountered was that the tank was ringing, but they managed to turn it off. 

The third problem they encountered was that some enemy troops came down on their patrol, but Fi and Ellie climbed a tree to avovid detection.

How do Ellie and Fi feel as they are leaving the scene on their motorbikes? Are these realistic feelings? P.273 

Ellie and Fi feel sympathy and guilt for leaving their friend behind, and these are realistic feelings as they-- especially Ellie-- had an emotional connection with Lee.

Why do you think the group decided to blow up the bridge? 

To keep the army at bay and buy themselves time.

How is this exploit different from the other exploits the group has been on e.g visiting the showgrounds and rescuing Lee? 

Corrie could be dead, and if she is, then a rescue mission would be in vain. 

How does Kevins decision to go with Corrie change our perspective of him from Chapter 3/7 P280-281

Kevins decision to go with Corrie tells the reader that he is a coward.

What is Ellie’s concern about her story? P.283-284 

Ellie's concerned about how everybody, especially Kevin and Corrie, are doing. She is also concerned with how to start her story.

What do you think will happen to Corrie and Kevin? 

I think that Kevin will get caught by the army while trying to rescue Corrie.