Perspective can change the way we see reality. Don't believe us? Try taking a photo of your dog from the floor versus from the couch. Fido will look a lot different from each spot. (Just don't get covered in slobber). For Jamie, the war is an exciting thing that allows people the opportunity to use weapons and fly helicopters. Bloody gauze? Bring it on. Risking your neck? Yes, please. Jamie thinks war is a good part of life and desperately wants to be a part of it.
Then there's the Colonel. He's actually been to war and has the medals to show for it. He knows what it's like to see his buddies come home in body bags, and families mourning their loved ones. Like we said, it's all about perspective. Shooting the Moon helps us see that there are multiple versions of reality out there, depending on where you're sitting.
Questions About Versions of Reality
- Is there one central reality or truth about war? Who is aware of it? Is the "truth" found out at the end about which reality is more realistic?
- How does the book differentiate between Jamie and the Colonel's way of looking at the world? How do their viewpoints differ?
- If you think about it, a book is a different version of reality. Why do you think the author uses a fictional family to talk about real historical events? How might we connect our own reality to the one in the book?
Chew on This
Shooting the Moon presents us with different versions of reality so we can decide which is best.
Shooting the Moon shows us that multiple realities are often true when it comes to complex issues like war.