Tomorrow

Tomorrow, when the war beganessay By Alex Liao
The book Tomorrow, When the War Began was authored by John Marsden. It is a realistic and slice of life type of genre spliced with a possible war scenario in Australia, the book is based around seven teens who go out camping on their summer holidays only to come back and be thrown into a war they did not commit. Marsden entwines love, courage, commitment and the philosophies of good and evil through the eyes of the teenagers and the main protagonists thoughts. The characters that help to show these ideals let the reader to appeal to them as they target young adults. The message that John Marsden has included in this story highly portrays the meaning of good and evil in humanity through several quotes and symbolisms. This perspective in the novel is hopeful and positive. How does Marsden show hope in the novel? Marsden opinion is hopeful in the novel as he puts a great emphasis on the characters courage and bravery. As shown on pages 86 to 92 where Ellie (the main character) blows up the ride-on mower to help her friend and herself to escape the soldiers, she portrays the characteristics of true courage, acting in the face of fear whilst also nearing a nervous breakdown. all I couldignorant Id been (chapter 7, pg 86). After wards she ponders how she killed 3 people and soon the depression sinks in. she doesnt want people to congratulate her of murder especially the boys, would get all macho about it (Chapter 8, pg 96). She is caught in the confusion around the idea of killing, not knowing why they had come to Australia, not knowing if they had any families or friends, not knowing what their purpose was they seemed to be a hollow object, a grey figure in a white space. the soldiers hardly existed for me as real people (Chapter8, pg 96) she also ponders this about herself I felt that my life was permanently damagedthat the rest of my life would just be a shell (Chapter 8, Pg 95). However Ellie is soon comforted by homers words describing the factors of killing the opposition this is war now, and normal rules dont applytheyre the ones who tore up the rule book implying to Ellie that you have to do what you have to do in order to survive. They speech show the signs of a leader and the commitment he takes to motivate his friends as Ellie had shown her courage. Marsden explores the existence of good and evil through the war and conflict in the novel and through the thoughts of the protagonist Ellie. Marsden portrays war as the ultimate evil. War consumes people through greed, anger and pride as implied from the book. In this case we are given a possible war invasion scenario as the evil the teens now face. The existence of evil is shown through the soldiers actions in an invasion as they clear out houses in an attempt for a clean invasion he said theyre going to colonise the whole country (Chapter 17, pg 227), this has caused misfortune and an obstacle for the towns freedom. Through the eyes of Ellie it is more of a philosophic approach, as he explores the factors of good and evil in her survival. The constant conflict and the actions that the teenagers endure and do are pondered by Ellie. Such as her thoughts when she witnessed a dragonfly eat a mosquito (Chapter 18, pg 242-243) including the last line yes, evil was a human invention explores more deeply into the real meaning of evil in humanity. What is the authors intention when he wrote the novel? The authors intention in the book is the message he creates that shows how love can still blossom in times of desperation and war. This is another hopeful message he provides the reader to intake.
The love and relationships in the group is thought of heavily by Ellie whos herself is caught between two male characters and traumatised by her emotions that affect every time a relationship evolves. Her pondering is described through all the chapters showing how Marsden persists for the reader to understand the subject of love. Love is one of the major factors for this message to be hopeful. It reveals even if your town is invaded and taken over by foreigners, your family is held captive against their will and you have make covert trips to town with the only sign of humanity being your friends that you still cant stop love empowering people with courage and spirit. in the midst of lifeboys and love (Chapter 10, pg124).Ellie as one of the main lovers in the book contemplates about how even though the world is in chaos people will still be able to love and believe. This is a sign of hope as it indicates a strong bond that has manifested itself among the teenagers in times of war I felt guiltyfascinating possibilities(Chapter 13, pg 178) In fact, the love emitted by the teens also drives them to do risky and drastic things to save a loved one Kevin stoodI want to do it (Chapter 22, pg 281)this quote shows how his compassion and bond with Corrie has made him face a fear and continue on with it. In Tomorrow, when the war began Marsden has explored good and evil and has represented his hopeful message through the courage and commitment of the teenagers, the conflict and thoughts of Ellie and the relationships developed at war. The book represents the bravery of the teenagers as the good in the story whilst the invaders are evil. The thoughts of Ellie is especially important as she deeply describes what good and evil is and ponders about being stuck from choosing two boys. The relationships made just show that even in the depths of hell something revolutionary can happen. Marsden intends for the reader to understand how his message is shown, to understand what the teenagers are going through and to understand how this also relates to real life as it can actually happen. The main points and ideals all add up in a message he wants to send to the reader, a message that leads the reader to believe his intention is hopeful and positive for the future, even in the face of evil in humanity.

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Tomorrow, when the war beganessay By Alex Liao

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