The Irreversible Nature of Change: Tomorrow When The War Began

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The central theme of John Marsden's novel, Tomorrow When The War Began, is the need to rewrite the scripts of our lives due to recent events. Throughout the book, Marsden conveys various messages using different themes, but change is the most important and recurring one. This theme is evident in both the characters' situation and environment, as well as in the development of Homer and Ellie's personalities and Ellie's perception. Initially living normal lives in Wirrawee town, the characters suddenly find themselves amidst a war.

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As Ellie introduces them, she explains how their lives have undergone significant changes recently, forcing them to adapt and make sense of their new reality.

She spoke in first person, representing both herself and her friends, and emphasized that significant changes had occurred for everyone and everything. The acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact that their lives would never be the same was also mentioned. Marsden focused on depicting the transformed settings of Wirrawee to illustrate these changes.

Initially portrayed as a calm and quaint rural town, Wirrawee was now shattered by a bomb that destroyed Corrie's house. "The house disintegrated in slow motion, with bricks, wood, galvanized iron, glass, and furniture exploding in every direction. The spot where the house had once stood was now darkened." This passage clearly depicts how Wirrawee went from being peaceful and beautiful to a place of desolation.

The main theme of the text is the irreversible nature of change, which is illustrated through various objects, situations, and characters in the book.

These transformations have a lasting impact on the characters and their environment, emphasizing that once a change occurs, it cannot be undone. One of the most notable changes depicted in the novel is seen in Homer and Ellie's personalities. At first, Homer is portrayed as irresponsible and mischievous, but later he transforms into a reliable and hardworking leader. According to Ellie, it becomes difficult to remember that this intelligent individual (Homer) was not even trusted with distributing books at school. This relatable statement highlights how only trustworthy students were given such responsibilities.

The text highlights the concept of adaptation and change. Homer is described as being able to adapt to a harsh environment in order to survive. Similarly, the speaker mentions how we all experienced and adapted to changes in high school. In the case of Ellie, her change is depicted as a transformation from being plain and old to becoming a more complicated and capable person. This change is seen through her actions of sneaking into the Showground and through her introspective thoughts. She acknowledges that she has discovered a new side of herself and has developed courage.

The text highlights that the characters Homer and Ellie illustrate the significance of change in their personal growth and survival. It emphasizes that change occurs in response to different circumstances, and that it is a catalyst for the development of the characters' personalities. This is exemplified through Ellie's evolving perspective, as she transitions from being a typical teenager to someone who encounters the Hermit from Hell, faces new challenges, and begins to question her own actions. She reflects on how she also bears some responsibility for her actions and finds it difficult to determine whether they are right or wrong, just like the Hermit's actions.

Marsden employs rhetorical questions to prompt the reader to ponder whether their actions, like Ellie's, would be driven by love for friends, family, and country or self-preservation. This shift in Ellie's outlook exemplifies how Marsden uses various forms of change to illustrate that transformation can arise from numerous factors and impact everyone. The theme of change is paramount and serves as the primary motif throughout Tomorrow when the war Began.

Marsden illustrates the concept of change through various elements in the text, including the situation and environment, personality, and perception. Change serves as a lesson in adaptation and fosters bravery for survival. Moreover, once change has taken place, it becomes irreversible, unable to revert to its original state. This novel effectively demonstrates that change is a universal phenomenon that can occur under any circumstances and be triggered by diverse factors. Additionally, it resonates with the audience since everyone will inevitably encounter change at least once in their lifetime.

"We’ve all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives the last few weeks.” This quote exemplifies the theme of change. In literature, a theme is a recurring element that provides the audience with a deeper understanding of the text and fundamental life ideas. John Marsden’s novel, Tomorrow When The War Began, depicts the lives of seven teenagers during the invasion of Australia. While there are various themes in this novel that convey messages to the reader, the author notably emphasizes change as the most significant and repeated theme.

In Marsden's novel, the theme of change is predominantly explored through various aspects, including the characters' situation and environment, the development of Homer and Ellie's personalities, and Ellie's changing perception. The author effectively portrays the transformation of the characters' situation and environment. Initially, they were ordinary teenagers leading a peaceful life in the dull Wirrawee town. However, they were abruptly thrust into the unfamiliar and chaotic reality of war. At the beginning of the novel, Ellie introduces the characters and remarks, "we've all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives in the past few weeks."

In her first-person narrative, the speaker not only represented herself but also her friends, acknowledging and accepting the significant changes that had occurred in everyone and everything. Marsden's focus on the settings of Wirrawee served to illustrate these changes. Initially portrayed as a quiet, small rural town, Wirrawee underwent a visible transformation when the invader bombed Corrie's house. "The house came apart in slow motion. Bricks, wood, galvanised iron, glass, furniture, all| erupting in every direction. Where the hose had stood was now black." This event demonstrated that Wirrawee, once peaceful and beautiful, had become a desolate place. The author's deliberate listing of objects emphasized the permanent alteration that prevented it from returning to its former state.

The change in the situation and environment demonstrates that once it occurs, it cannot be reverted to its previous state. The most notable change depicted in the book is the transformation of the characters' personalities, particularly in the cases of Homer and Ellie. Throughout the novel, Homer undergoes a complete metamorphosis. Initially portrayed as irresponsible and mischievous, he eventually becomes a dependable and diligent leader. Ellie remarks that "it was becoming difficult to recall that this quick-witted individual (Homer)... was not even entrusted with distributing books at school."

This quote is easily relatable as only trustworthy students were chosen to distribute books. Homer's transformation can also be referred to as adaptation; he managed to adjust to the new demanding and serious environment in order to survive. We all went through changes and adapted when we attended high school. In Ellie's case, her change was that she would never be her plain, old self, Ellie, again. This change was evident when she trespassed into the Showground and reflected on her transformation: "I underwent a change through those four steps. In that moment, I ceased being an innocent rural teenager and began evolving into someone else, a more intricate and competent person."

This reveals that she has uncovered a newfound aspect of herself and grown in bravery. It also taught me that we all have the ability to save ourselves and our loved ones by finding courage and untapped strengths. Both Homer and Ellie exemplify how circumstances influence change and underscore the significance of change in shaping the characters' personalities as essential for survival.

Ellie's perspective also undergoes a transformation. In the beginning, she was a typical teenager. However, as the story progressed, she encountered the infamous Hermit from Hell and faced unfamiliar situations. This led her to reflect on her own actions and question their morality. "Like the Hermit, I too had blood on my hands. I couldn't determine whether his deeds were right or wrong, just as I couldn't discern the righteousness of my own. Did I kill out of love for my friends, family, and homeland? Or did I take lives because I prioritized my own survival over others?" Marsden utilizes rhetorical inquiries to encourage readers to ponder their own potential actions if placed in Ellie's shoes.

This change in Ellie’s perception is another form of change used by Marsden to demonstrate that change can be triggered by almost anything and everything for everyone. The theme of change is the central element and the most significant theme in Tomorrow when the war Began. Marsden exemplified this by portraying change in various aspects of the text, including situations and environments, personalities, and perceptions. Change instills adaptation and fosters courage for survival. Once change occurs, it can never revert to its original state. This novel explicitly portrays that change can happen to anyone in any circumstances, and it can be caused by anything. It is also highly relatable to the audience as everyone will experience change at least once in their lifetime. "We’ve all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives in the last few weeks."

The theme of change is exemplified in this quote, as it pertains to literature and the deeper understanding it provides about life. John Marsden's novel, Tomorrow When The War Began, follows the experiences of seven teenagers amidst Australia's invasion. While various themes are present in the novel, such as conveying messages to the reader, the most significant and recurring theme is change. Marsden eloquently reveals the characters' evolving situation throughout the novel, particularly in regard to Homer and Ellie's personal growth and Ellie's shifting perspective.

Initially, the characters were ordinary teenagers peacefully residing in the dull Wirrawee town. However, they suddenly found themselves in the midst of war. In the beginning of the novel, Ellie introduced the characters and stated, "we’ve all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives the last few weeks." Speaking from a first-person perspective, she represented her friends and emphasized that everyone and everything had undergone significant transformation. They also acknowledged, accepted, and adjusted to the fact that their lives would never be the same. This alteration in their situation highlights the importance of accepting and adapting to change, as it is a universal experience for all individuals.

The book illustrates a significant transformation in the characters' personalities, particularly with Homer and Ellie. As the novel unfolds, Homer undergoes a complete metamorphosis. Initially, he is depicted as irresponsible and mischievous, but gradually evolves into a reliable and industrious leader. According to Ellie, it becomes increasingly challenging to recall that this ingenious individual, Homer, was once deemed untrustworthy even with the task of distributing books at school.

This quote is relatable because only reliable students were trusted to hand out books, which is easily understandable. Homer also shows adaptation by being able to adjust to a new harsh and serious environment in order to survive. We all go through changes and adapt when attending high school. Ellie's transformation is that she will never be the same plain, old Ellie. This is evident in her thoughts while sneaking into the Showground: "I was completely changed. In that moment, my innocence as a rural teenager disappeared and I started to evolve into someone different, someone who was more complex and capable."

In this text, it is evident that the protagonist has undergone personal growth and acquired bravery. Likewise, it teaches us the valuable lesson that courage and unknown strengths can save ourselves and our loved ones. These main characters, namely Homer and Ellie, embody the concept that circumstances lead to change and that survival depends on embracing such transformations. Ellie's perspective also demonstrates a significant evolution. Initially, she resembled an average teenager; however, as the narrative unfolds, she encounters the Hermit from Hell, facing unfamiliar situations that prompt her to reflect on her own actions. "I too had blood on my hands, much like the Hermit, and just as I struggled to discern whether his deeds were righteous or wicked, I also found myself unsure about my own."

Marsden's use of rhetorical questions, such as "Had I killed out of love of my friends, family and for the land?" and "Or had I killed because I valued my life above that of others?", serves to prompt readers to consider their own actions in the same situation as Ellie. This shift in perception is one of the ways Marsden illustrates the theme of change in 'Tomorrow when the war Began'. Through various aspects of the text, such as situation, personality, and perception, Marsden demonstrates that change can be sparked by a multitude of factors. Adaptation and courage are emphasized as necessary for survival in the face of change. Ultimately, this novel highlights that change is a universal experience that can occur to anyone, regardless of circumstances.

"We’ve all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives the last few weeks.” This quote perfectly captures the theme of change in literature, which is prominently portrayed in John Marsden’s novel, Tomorrow When The War Began. The story follows seven teenagers during the invasion of Australia and explores various themes to convey messages. However, the most significant and recurring theme is change. Marsden adeptly depicts a change in the characters' situation, development of Homer and Ellie’s personalities, and Ellie’s shifting perception. This theme has a clear impact as the characters transition from ordinary teenagers living peacefully in Wirrawee to being thrust into war's unfamiliarity and chaos. Ellie herself sums it up at the beginning when she declares, “we’ve all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives."

Speaking in first person, the narrator not only represents herself but also her friends, indicating that everyone and everything has undergone significant change. They have acknowledged, accepted, and adjusted to the fact that their lives will never be the same. This transformation highlights the importance of accepting and adapting to change, as it is something that affects everyone. The most notable change in the book is seen in the characters' personalities, particularly in Homer and Ellie. Throughout the novel, Homer undergoes a complete transformation. Initially depicted as irresponsible and mischievous, he later becomes a reliable and hardworking leader. Ellie reflects on this change, remarking, "it was getting hard to remember that this fast-thinking guy (Homer)... wasn't even trusted to hand out the books at school."

This quote is relatable as reliable students were trusted to hand out books, demonstrating their adaptation and survival in a new harsh environment. We all experienced and adapted to changes in high school. In Ellie's case, her change was that she would never be plain, old Ellie again, as indicated by her thoughts while sneaking into the Showground.

“I underwent a transformation. In that moment, my innocence as a rural teenager faded away, and I emerged as someone more intricate and capable.” This indicates that she has discovered a previously untapped aspect of herself and developed bravery. It also taught me that we have the ability to save ourselves and our loved ones by uncovering our own courage and hidden strengths. These two characters, Homer and Ellie, serve as embodiments of the idea that change is a result of circumstances, and the pivotal role of change in the characters’ personal growth was crucial for their survival. Additionally, Ellie's perspective demonstrates change. Initially, she was a typical teenager. However, as the narrative progresses, she learns about the Hermit from Hell, encounters unfamiliar situations, and starts to question her own actions. “Similar to the Hermit, I too have blood on my hands, and like him, I struggle to discern whether my actions are good or bad.”

Marsden utilized rhetorical questions to provoke self-reflection in the reader: "Had I killed out of love of my friends, family and for the land? Or had I killed because I valued my life above that of others?" Through these questions, Marsden prompts readers to consider what they would do if they were in Ellie's position. This shift in Ellie's perspective exemplifies Marsden's use of change as a central theme. In Tomorrow when the war Began, change is depicted in various aspects of the text, including situations, personalities, and perceptions. Change is essential for survival as it teaches adaptation and fosters courage. Ultimately, this novel highlights that change can occur under any circumstances and resonates with audiences as everyone will inevitably experience change at least once in their lifetime.