For a book about war, nature is a major player in Tomorrow, When the War Began. In a way, nature is what saves the Hell gang from being captured during the invasion—they're off camping in a super remote spot, so they're spared—and later, once they realize what's happened, nature is where the gang retreats to for safety, returning to their remote camping spot to avoid capture by the soldiers and figure out how to keep themselves alive. This quality time with nature is more comfortable for some than others, but for all of the teens, nature offers up safety in deeply uncertain times.
Questions About Man and the Natural World
- Compare and contrast Ellie and Fi's interactions with nature in Hell. What does this reveal about their characters?
- How is Hell portrayed? How is it different from downtown Wirrawee? Be specific and be sure to unpack the significance of these differences.
- How does war both make the characters confront nature and also separate them from it?
Chew on This
Homer is a natural leader partly because he is so comfortable outdoors, having worked on a farm his whole life.
If all of the teens were town kids (like Fi), they wouldn't stand a chance of surviving.