Analysis
The “Tomorrow when the war began” series is set in current day Australia. It is written from the perspective of the main character Ellie Linton who comes from a small country town, Wirrawee. It follows Ellie and six other teenagers; Homer, Lee, Kevin, Corrie, Fi and Robyn and their action packed adventure starts on a small camping trip amongst dense/remote bush, which is nicknamed “Hell”, which later becomes their ‘hide-out’. During their weeklong camping trip the town has been invaded and their families captured. The story continues to follow the teenagers and their mission to find out what has happened to their families and to hide from the enemy themselves.
Setting
Hell is the hide out of the characters; it is a small hidden section of bush with a small stream that provides them with a secure water source. Hell is also seen as a symbol in the story in the way that it is their new home and symbolizes change.
There are numerous occasions where Ellie and her friends end up back in Wirrawee either trying to find their parents or planning attacks on the enemy. The town Wirrawee is now deserted and shows effects of the invasion with some buildings being blown up and evidence of fighting.
Enough about the storyline find out what happens to Ellie and her friends are pick up ‘Tomorrow When the War Began’ and start reading!
Character Ellie
Ellie is a 17 year old schoolgirl from a small country district called Wirrawee she is intelligent and wise beyond her years. She deals with her emotions of the invasion by writing down everything that she and her friends are going through.
She struggles with her feelings towards two of her friends one of which is going out with her best friend. Ellie is looked upon to be the leader of her group of friends and they always look to her for advice and ask a lot of her, but she finds that she can’t handle the pressure that is put upon and the thought of having to kill again. Although we are not in the same situation as Ellie kids around the ages of 13-18 can relate to some of the feeling that Ellie and the pressure that she has on her.
Conflict
Obviously the major conflict in this series is between Ellie and her friends against the invaders this is an easy one to discuss because who wouldn’t find conflict with people who have taken over their country, homes and have their parents locked up. Although Ellie’s group are very close there are minor conflicts between many of the Characters. A lot of these conflicts are caused by disagreements about food supply items of clothing and entertainment that others should sacrifice, all of these conflicts besides the one involving the invaders were easily resolved between them.
Important Quotes
“I felt then, and still feel now, that I was transformed by those four steps.”
This quote was significant in the transformation of Ellie the main character. This is the moment when Ellie changed from an innocent rural teenager to something different something dangerous and powerful. This almost makes the tomorrow series a coming of age book for teenagers with of course its obvious differences but within this quote it does show a teenagers emotion towards change.
Symbolism
Symbolism is used throughout Tomorrow when the war began to portray many messages. One of the main symbols used is 'Hell' the groups hideout. Hell symbolizes a new home for the group and symbolizes change from their normal routine. Ellie is also a symbol for change by documenting her thoughts on how she has changed and how the rest of the group now looks up to her as their leader.
