Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics
What effect does the war have on Tim's acceptance of his religion?
Thematically speaking, is there a reason why Sam has to die and Tim has to live?
What is Tim's ultimate take on the war? Does he ever decide which side has his loyalty?
Suggested Essay Topics
In what ways do the roles of older brother and younger brother change or remain constant throughout the story?
Describe how Tim's own coming of age parallels the wartime "coming of age" of the United States. Which influences shape each progression?
Which death or series of deaths seem to apply most to Father's saying that "In war the dead pay the debts of the living", and why?
Betsy Read is the only woman in the story to express a desire to help the Rebel cause. Why do you think the author does not write about more women characters?
In what ways do the characters in this story foretell or cause their own deaths? Do the characters generally die in a way that reflects the way they lived?
