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STUDY GUIDE One of the reasons Tomorrow, When the War Began is so successful as a novel is the way that John Marsden maintains suspense through his writing. Explore exactly how he does this by completing the following activities. Some notes to help you think about what you can write about This analysis focuses on the passage which begins on P 127 (McMacmillan edition) with "I sidled closer to the door and stood in an awkward position ......) to P 128 "Robyn!" I screamed. Read the passage a couple of times. The author has created a mood of suspense/tension. Think about how you can do this in your own writing. Marsden has done this through: Word Choice The author's choice of verbs is important in the passage. He creates a sense of tension, stealth and caution though his use of verbs like "sidled" "pressed" "crouched" "slipping" early in the passage as Elle enters the room. Later Elle's fear is made clear through the use of verbs like "grip the knob". The author also makes considerable use of adverbs ("silently" "smoothly" "quietly" "desperately") to underscore the fear and tension of the scene. He also uses adjectives such as "dull shapes" and "dreadful confirmation" to provide insight into the Elle's state of mind and "slow, careful step" "creaking board and "soft tread" to stress the tension of the moment and the need for quiet. Imagery The author makes limited use of imagery. When he uses the metaphor "screech of a tortured soul" to compare the sound of the door opening to someone being tortured he is trying to suggest how loud the sound seems to Elle at the same time as he implies the danger she is in. He uses the simile "I could hear Homer shuffling around, sounding like an old dog trying to get comfortable" to exaggerate the noise Homer was making and also to try to make it clear that this added to the Elle's fear. Structure The sentences, especially at the most tense moments, are mainly short or broken up into shorter phrases with commas. This helps create a tense, breathless feel from Elle, underscoring her fear and the tension of the scene. the idea of the need for quiet and Elle's attempt to be quiet, is repeated throughout the passage in words like "sidled" "silently and smoothly" "slow, careful" "quietly slipping".

The passage build towards the climax of the sound of the gun being cocked. Sounds The author uses the alliterative "silently and smoothly" with the repetition of the 's' helping to establish the idea of stealth and the need for quiet and tension. He also uses onomatopeia "eg screech" and "rasped" to depict how loud even small sounds seemed to the nervous Elle.

Complete these in your workbooks.

Remember for each research question, note the source that you got information from alongside your work. Chapter 1 Copy and complete this cloze exercise: The author of the book is __________ . However, in order to tell the story he uses a young woman (_________) as a ___________. She tells us the story, gradually developing our knowledge of the __________ and their lives by explaining events to us. Ellie uses ________ person __________ to tell us the story (I, __, us, etc.) This kind of narration is called _______ Narration. Describe the Narrative voice in 150 words. Include quotes to support your answer.

Chapter 2 Describe the effect of the line Thats what we thought. What technique has the composer used? Write a short passage 200 words from first person perspective about someone, or a group of people discovering a new place. Remember to include detailed imagery and figurative language to make your passage interesting. Chapter 3 Do some research and make a list of what you would need to pack for five days of camping. Make a full inventory. If you can, try to do a weight guide. Chapter 4 Do some research and list 5 popular anti-war NOVELS. Give a brief summary of each. Why do you think anti-war texts have emerged as their own genre? 100 words. How do you treat a snake bite? Make sure your reference is appropriate. What does Maybe Hell was people mean? Chapter 5 What is the significance of Marsden discussing stupid fights in this chapter? What technique is this? Chapter 6 to Chapter 9 How many wars has Australia been involved in during the last 50 years? Was there any warning before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre Towers in New York? Are there any civil defense guidelines for what to do if Australia was attacked by another country? What is the Rural Fire Service? What did they find when they got to Ellie's place? Homer's place? What message does Corrie's dad send her?

Describe the incident which involved the ride-on mower. What had Fi and Homer seen on their trip into town? Why do they agree to go back to Hell? What happens to Corrie's house and why?

Chapter 10 to Chapter 13 Describe Ellie's changing feelings for Homer. Who goes back into town to find Robyn and Lee? Why had they missed the rendezvous with the others? Describe how they get Lee out of town. Who do they pick up on the way back to Hell? What happens between Ellie and Lee? What information do they pick up on Corrie's radio? Who goes back into town and why? Chapter 14 to Chapter 22 What does Ellie find on her trip down the creek? Why does Lee accuse Ellie of letting her mind get in the way? What do they discover about the Hermit? Briefly describe what happens to those who went to town. Describe what Ellie, Lee, Fi and Homer did to "do something to help the good guys". Research 1. Find out what information you can on John Marsden. 2. List some of his other novels. Have you read any of them? If so which ones? Choices and decisions John Marsden explores the question what if.? What if society was suddenly taken over and you were one of a group left free? What could or would you do about the situation? We had to make some quick decisions. (p153) 1. As you read the novel, note the problems faced by the group of teenagers and the decisions they make. Think about whether or not you would have acted differently. 2. In your journal, make a table like the one below and, as you read the novel, list the problems and decisions taken to solve them Situation Problem Decision Consequences

3. Choose one situation and write a paragraph on whether you think the teenagers made the right decision or whether they could have done something different. Explain what you would have done if you had been in the same situation. Below are examples of some situations you might discuss the three musketeers (p79-81) Were going to have to get him out. (136-140) thats the way the cookie crumbles. (170-177) What am I going to do about Homer? (192-194)

 Mapping

You should just go with the feelings. (199-202) Three choices. (238-243) Im not going to dump her and run. (280-282)

1. Many geographical features of the area around Wirrawee are important to the story. Sometimes an author provides a map where the action takes place. Do you think this would have helped your reading of the novel? Explain. Why do you think the author goes into so much detail about features of the setting? The authors note tells us that the settings in this book are based on real places. Do you think this information is necessary or helpful? 2. Make a sketch map showing the main settings of the events. Show such features as - Tailors Stitch (pp 4-5) - Satans Steps and Hell (1-2,22-33) - Wombegonoo (51) - The location of various characters homes - The town of Wirrawee and the Showgrounds (74-85) - The location of the council depot, the picnic ground, the Blue Star Fuel depot (249, 255-56) and the bridge(247-8) Make some notes around or underneath the map using, for example, numbers, arrows and boxes, to indicate where the main events occurred. 3. This is pretty nice for Hell. (31) Why? What does this little wild kingdom become for the group? It suddenly seemed obvious that if we had a future, it would be in Hell. And we began to realise that there might still be a life for us. (111) Is this what Hell usually means? What did become Hell? Why? Point of View 1. Why do you think the author chose to have Ellie tell the story? Was it just because she was the best writer? 2. What if the story had been told from the point of view of different characters say Kevin, Ellies mother and the invading general? In what ways might this have changed the story? 3. How do other characters contribute to the telling of the story? For example, re-read the following passages in which characters other than Ellie tell part of the story Homer and Fi (pp96-103) Chris (152-55) Robyn (chapter 17) Fi ( 264-68) Homer and Lee (264-279) What events are they telling? What kind of role are they playing? Characters Make a list of the eight teenagers and briefly describe what they are like.

Choose one of the characters you have created a profile for and examine them in greater depth. Look at the way they develop or change over the course of the novel. (It might pay to choose one of the characters you think is most important in the novel.) For this character: Identify the kind of person they are at the beginning of the novel. (Provide a piece of evidence: a quotation from the novel, or an action that the person undertakes.) Identify THREE steps in their development throughout the novel. (Think about behaviours they adopt, new ways of thinking or viewing the world, decisions they make, things they learn etc.) For each step: Identify how they change, and provide a piece of evidence for this change (how do you know they have changed?) Identify what kind of person they are at the end of the novel. (Provide a piece of evidence for how they have changed since the beginning of the novel: a quotation or an action that the person undertakes.) Comment on WHY you think they changed. (This may be a response to a situation or a challenge, or it may have more to do with what kind of person your character is.) Themes What themes are evident in this text? Try to list at least three. Give some quotes to support your answers. Read from "I was walking very slowly, ..." on page 215 to "...At least it might give me some chance of working out what I should or shouldn't do." page 218. 1. Was Ellie bad for causing the deaths of the soldiers? Why? 2. What is her definition of Hell? 3. Is it good to have laws, moral, religious, legal etc, or should we all operate by our own instinct like Nature? Why? 4. What did Ellie decide was a good gift and for what reasons? Read from "'I'm still not sure what's right or wrong in this whole setup..." page 239 to "I just hope we can avoid doing too much that's filthy and foul and rotten." page 240. 1. Why does Robyn say this? 2. Do you agree with her? Why? 3. Robyn is a Christian. How does her view differ from the others? 4. If you were in their position, what would you do? Values are what you consider to be important in your life 1. What tangible things are important to you? 2. What intangible things are considered valuable to most members of society? 3. You are thinking of going out with someone for the first time. Number the following values in order of importance: has a car or motor bike is good-looking lives nearby has a good sense of humour has similar goals is popular with others dresses in fashion is intelligent and does well at school has money is dependable/trustworthy has the same religious beliefs is kind has the same interests comes from a prestigious family 4.What values of your parents do you consider are good? Old-fashioned? 5.Which person/persons in your life do you value the most? Why? Style 1. How does the novel begin? 2. By choosing Ellie as the narrator, is the story spoiled by her thoughts on the

others or is it enhanced? Explain. 3. How and when would you have ended the story? Explain. Setting 1. How would the novel have been different if it was set in a different time? 2. How would the novel have been different if it was set in a different country?