Introduction
In the historical young adult novel, the storyline takes place in World War II England. There are a few different themes in this novel; one of the most prominent themes, in my opinion, is character development in a young disabled girl. We follow Ada, the protagonist, on a journey where she not only battles war but also her own demons. She feels that she is "broken" and will never be someone. Ada learns, with help from a woman and a child they move in with, that she is not "broken" nor is she a monster; rather, not everyone is as they appear on the outside. This essay will analyze the themes and character development of this novel. Lillian "Mam" Smith, Ada's mother, shows that family does not always have to be blood, as she grows into somebody with whom Ada feels secure and safe. Throughout the novel, Ada's high level of resilience is shown in her transformation from the meek, quiet, scared child that she was to a strong-willed person who knows and believes in herself.
The young people and the genuine voice to the series of personal, social, and emotional issues that have been established. This is not always a war of "soldiers, guns, and the like;" instead, the story delivers a reality of war experienced by the children whose parents and guardians are victims of the violence and war. Life is filled with learning about who you are inside, as well as learning not to base the opinions of others, and to move on after childhood trauma. The child's eye view of war offers more than just an emotional appeal. Adapting teaching and discussion opportunities concerning refugee issues, PTSD, and gender abuse, the story also provides an engaging and captivating message about life's pleasures. However, due to the way she had been treated throughout most of her life, Ada faces some tough challenges. A young girl with the knowledge of what has happened to her does not just wake up one day and determine the situation, and then erase everything that happened before that.
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Key Themes in the Novel
Sometimes we cannot completely understand a character and how they evolve over the course of a book if we do not deeply understand the underlying themes of the book. We can ask ourselves what makes the character who they are. What makes the character relate to other characters or not relate to the other characters? What are the underlying values of the community that the character grows up in? These are just a few of the underlying questions we must ask to get a greater understanding of the character’s development in the book. Resilient children who have to care for themselves form one of the main themes of the book. This also, in turn, spurs a focus on family and how other structures become very important in a child’s life.
Another theme in this complex and multilayered book that brings people together despite their color, race, and sexuality is the idea of a definitional self. As a consequence of growing up in a warring world, having a reconstructed family, and having strength of character, these children of war build up a sense of self and who they are. These four themes discussed in detail are individually integral to what motivates and drives the character, but one theme is incomplete without the other. The four themes and the way the characters are suggested to be interwoven guide the reader to better comprehend the confrontation of pondering a child’s adolescence, belonging experience, family establishment, and when they need to be their own advocate.
This book exhibits the struggle of personification and the themes related to it. War is tough for a child, stripping them of their bare essentials and causing a drag in their level of consciousness. However, the book is also filled with rays of hope, bravery, and gratifying roles of individuals transforming into community members.
Character Development
A major theme of The War That Saved My Life is the power of inner transformation. Ada, at the start of the novel, is a fearful, insecure girl who has nothing to look forward to. Her journey north and all her experiences through the story have allowed her to transform and grow into a brave and kind girl. She has initiated this change in her own life as she gradually learns to trust Susan and her own capabilities. Susan also finds hope in Ada and Jamie and grows to be a compassionate caregiver as a result of the circumstances and her relationship with the two children. Jamie transforms from a naive boy who dreams of adventure to a young man who has had to shoulder his family’s well-being and safety for a long time. Ada’s experiences are representative of all the characters' endeavors required for survival and improvement during their wartime assignments. Ada’s growth and emotional transformation are key, but the novel has space to express her relationship with Susan, her homestead in Kent, the war, the injury she sustains, and her encounter with her mother and life in London.
Ada's relationship with Susan is extremely significant because it brings Ada out of a place of self-destructive defeatism and despair. While obstacles are presented to Ada’s development in the opening chapters, Susan, a guardian who is immediately kind to her, opposes the oppressive atmosphere and invests in Ada’s abilities. When Ada is hesitant to come between Susan and Jamie, the real Susan presents herself: she carries Ada, then has surgery and pain medication, and learns more about grumblers as she is visibly tired. Not only does Susan transform Ada into a strong-willed young woman, but she also learns to appreciate the fact that Ada’s steps have a good effect in the end. Many of the interactions between Ada and Susan are worth noting. Jamie attempts to connect with Ada, resulting in a subtle interaction between Susan and Ada, yet Susan chooses not to intrude on Ada’s self-defined time.
Conclusion and Reflections
As demonstrated through exploring the key themes of abandonment, home, connection, war, courage, and change, it can be established that these themes are represented through the development of the characters, highlighting their importance in the text as a whole. In addition, as character development and thematic exploration are interconnected, so is their importance in the tale. The development of the characters explores their own growth through their own experiences. This growth and eventual maturity allow them to effectively tackle and overcome the dilemmas that are presented within the novel. Furthermore, the development of the characters allows the audience insight into understanding the struggle and feelings that the characters undergo, encouraging the audience to feel empathy in order to relate to the difficult situations presented. This use of character development as a stimulus for empathy also facilitates the development of the text as a whole and is therefore integral in understanding the characters.
In summary, the text explores several themes including home, connection, courage, and change. These themes interconnect with the development of several key characters. Through the lens of these characters and themes, a larger investigation of a physical and emotional journey demonstrates the healing powers of kindness, compassion, empathy, and support. At the heart of this exploration is the unflinching and uncompromising resilience of a character, a sure reinforcement of the emotional heart and soul of the novel. The story acts as a message of hope; a love letter to a population of children who are not so different from the central character, presently living in other war-torn areas of the world.
The novel's message dramatizes and underlines the supreme importance of acceptance. It truly embodies the gift of embracing those who are different and foretells a future where light and hope will shine even in the bleakest of landscapes. As such, the text speaks to the powerful truth that good can come from the rubble and detritus of a life; that love and acceptance have the power to change even the cruelest of realities.
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