Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Tomorrow, When the War Began, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
War, Law, and Morality
Family, Friendship, and Love
Coming of Age, Transformation, and the Loss of Innocence
Writing and Storytelling
Summary
Analysis
It’s been 30 minutes since Robyn suggested they write everything down, and it’s been 29 minutes since they all decided Ellie should be the one to write it. Ellie is generally considered to be the best writer among the group, so it seemed an easy choice. Chris isn’t a bad writer either, Ellie notes, and he did seem a bit hurt that he wasn’t chosen. Ellie sits down by the creek, a narrow yet deep waterway, and procrastinates. Ellie is procrastinating because she doesn’t want to write their story.
The specifics of Ellie’s story are not initially revealed to the reader, but since the story is significant enough to write down and make a permanent record of, readers can infer that the story is important. The fact that Ellie notices Chris’s disappointment suggests that Ellie is empathetic and kind, which begins to point to her inherent goodness and morality. Ellie’s procrastination implies their story is difficult to tell—if their story was optimistic or happy, she’d perhaps have fewer hesitations to put pen to paper.
Themes
It isn’t that Ellie doesn’t want to tell their story—it’s just that writing it all down won’t be easy. “Feelings” and “emotions” are sure to get in the way, Ellie says. Telling their story is “terribly, terribly important” to them, and it’s the only way to prove that what they’ve done matters. By writing it all down, they will be remembered. If no one knows about the difference they’ve made, then no one will appreciate all the risks Ellie and the others have taken. Ellie considers writing their story with a formal tone, kind of like a history book, but she decides against it. That isn’t who they are.
The fact that Ellie and the others aren’t formal or sophisticated, like a history book, hints at their young age, as does Ellie’s difficulty in processing the “feelings” and “emotions” that complicate their story. “Feelings” and “emotions” connote love, an emotion that can be difficult for young people to navigate. Ellie’s description of the terrible importance of their story and their desire to be remembered for their risks suggests that Ellie’s story isn’t just important—it is a very big deal.
Themes
Their story begins with Ellie and Corrie deciding to go bush camping for a few days. They camp out a lot, usually with Fiona and Robyn, but never with boys. Things are changing, though, and they are all growing up. Ellie says she will ask her dad if they can take her family’s Land Rover, and Corrie suggests they invite Kevin and Homer. Ellie likes the idea but worries that her parents won’t agree. They both decide it’s worth it to at least ask, and they agree to go up Tailor’s Stitch, a mountain range that extends from Mt. Martin to Wombegonoo. It won’t be an easy drive, but the Land Rover will make it, and the views are beautiful.
While the setting of Marsden’s novel is fictional, Mt. Martin is based on Mount Howitt, a well-known mountain in Alpine National Park in Victoria, Australia. Tailor’s Stitch is a description of Cross Cut Saw, part of the Mount Howitt range, a detail that is likely not lost on Australian readers. Ellie’s concern that her parents won’t allow her to go camping with boys suggests that she is young—too young, perhaps, to be unsupervised with boys.
Themes
Tailor’s Stitch terminates in Hell, a remote bush full of boulders and feral animals. Hell is completely wild and untouched by human hands, and it has several steep cliffs known as Satan’s Steps. According to local legend, Hell was the home of the Hermit, an “ex-murderer” who allegedly killed his wife and infant son. Ellie, however, has a hard time believing there is any truth to the story. If the Hermit really murdered his family, he likely would have been hanged like all the other murderers during that time.
Like Tailor’s Stitch, Satan’s Steps represent a real place in Victoria. Mount Howitt is known for similar rock formations called Devils Staircase. Referring to the remote bush as Hell suggests that it is harsh and unforgiving and not a pleasant place, and since it was the home of the Hermit, it appears dangerous and sinister by extension. The Hermit’s identity as an “ex-murderer” is confusing and suggests that for whatever reason, the Hermit was no longer considered a murderer; however, he was still punished by living in Hell. Ellie’s disbelief in the Hermit’s story underscores one of Marsden’s primary arguments—stories are not always believable, nor are they always true.
Themes
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First, Ellie must convince her parents to let her go camping in Hell with boys. Initially, Ellie’s parents are not so sure it’s a good idea. They recommend inviting a few more girls and going camping near the river instead. Ellie’s mother assures her it will still be “fun,” but since Ellie’s mother’s idea of fun is canning preserves for the local fair, Ellie isn’t convinced. Ellie interrupts her story, explaining that it feels odd to talk this way, especially after so much has happened, but she has promised to be honest.
Again, it is clear that Ellie isn’t old enough to be unsupervised with boys, which further points to her young age. It isn’t that Ellie isn’t trustworthy—her parents trust her to be away several days with her girlfriends—but spending time with boys is another matter. Ellie’s comment that her mother’s idea of “fun” doesn’t match her own is a bit snarky, and Ellie clearly feels bad about it. This suggests that something bad has since happened to Ellie’s mother, and Ellie feels guilty for giving her a hard time when she isn’t there to defend herself. Ellie’s guilt also reflects the love she has for her mother—if she wasn’t important in Ellie’s life, Ellie wouldn’t care that she insulted her. Lastly, Ellie obviously wants her story to be as accurate as possible, which can also be seen as a testament to the story’s importance.
Themes
Ellie’s parents finally agree to the camping trip in Hell, but they make Ellie promise that she will be the only one driving their Land Rover. Kevin has his provisional driver’s license, but Ellie really is the better driver. Boys will be allowed, too, Ellie’s parents say, but there must be least six people total, and eight is better. Ellie’s parents believe there will be less chances of “an orgy” if there are more of them, but they don’t say this. They say they want more people for “safety” reasons. “I know them too well,” Ellie writes, careful to write “know” and not “knew.”
Ellie makes a concerted effort to speak of her parents in the present tense, as if she is trying to convince herself they aren’t dead. This, too, implies that something terrible has happened to Ellie’s parents, which also hints to the seriousness of their story. This passage also suggests that Ellie is not a legal driver. One must be 17 in Australia to legally drive, and one must be at least 15 years and nine months to obtain a provisional license. Thus, with the exception of Kevin, Ellie and her friends are likely under 16 years old. Ellie’s parents’ secret worry of “an orgy” also points to Ellie’s adolescence. Ellie and her friends are growing up and becoming interested in sex, but Ellie’s parents know they aren’t old enough to handle such relationships.
Themes
Ellie’s parents all make her promise that no one will bring any alcohol or cigarettes on the camping trip, and Ellie agrees. Ellie decides to also invite Chris, bringing their number officially to eight. But Chris’s parents are going overseas, and he has to stay home and watch the house. Next, Ellie goes to Homer’s house to invite him. Homer doesn’t so much ask his parents if he can go; he just tells them he is going. Homer’s brother is the only one to protest. Homer will miss the Commemoration Day Show, which means his brother will be stuck grooming the bulls. Homer says his brother is more than capable of handling the bulls and goes to pack.
Ellie’s promise to avoid alcohol and cigarettes again points to her young age. She isn’t yet an adult, and she isn’t legally allowed to smoke or drink. This abstinence—to substances and the sex Ellie’s parents refer to above—suggests that morality and doing the right thing are important to Ellie and her parents. Homer, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to care what his parents think—and they appear to have given up trying—which suggests Homer is a bit of a troublemaker and resistant to authority.
Themes
Corrie calls and tells Ellie that she has invited Kevin. Kevin would rather go to the Commemoration Day Show, but he agreed to go camping for Corrie. Next, Ellie calls Fiona, but her parents say they want to think about it. Going camping in Hell for nearly a week with boys is a big deal. Ellie hangs up the phone and goes downstairs. He mother is watching a newscast, something about how high defense is on the Government’s agenda, and Ellie is glad to be getting out of town for a while. Next, Ellie calls Lee, and he agrees that camping sounds better than the Show. Corrie was surprised when Ellie said she wanted to invite Lee. He doesn’t really hang out with them, and he is kind of a serious guy.
The fact that Kevin is willing to miss the Commemoration Day Show—obviously a big deal in town—just for Corrie suggests that Kevin and Corrie have a relationship that goes beyond friendship; or, at least, that Kevin wants to have a relationship more than friendship. On another note, there is a clear connection between the newscast and Ellie’s desire to get out of town, which suggests that newscasts about national defense and the Government’s agenda are commonplace. Such newscasts imply there is some sort of tension within the government and with other countries, since they are concerned with defense issues. This passage also suggests Ellie is interested in Lee romantically. He obviously isn’t a close friend, yet Ellie wants to invite him camping.
Themes
Ellie calls Robyn next, who is really excited about camping in Hell, but she worries her parents won’t allow it. “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” Ellie asks Robyn’s father. The next day, Robyn’s parents finally agree to let her go, although Ellie can’t understand what their problem is. Robyn is the most trustworthy person Ellie knows. Robyn is shy and kind of serious, and she’s good at school and is always going to church. Later, Ellie goes shopping in town with her mom, where they run into Fiona and her mom. Ellie’s mom talks Fiona’s mom into letting Fiona go camping, and their number is officially up to seven.
Ellie’s question as to “the worst thing that could happen” is a sort of harbinger for the upcoming war. Marsden seems to suggest that the “worst thing” is to go camping and come home to a foreign invasion and your family missing—which, as readers are about to find out, is exactly what happens. Ellie’s description of Robyn establishes Robyn as the morally superior member of their group. Robyn is religious, kind, and studious, all of which point to Robyn’s high moral standards.
Themes
Fiona is beautiful and elegant, and to Ellie, she is “the perfect person.” Ellie’s mom always says Fiona has “fine features,” and she looks like she has never done a hard day’s work in her life. Fiona’s parents are lawyers, and besides Lee, she is the only one in their group who lives in town. Kevin is an average country boy, and he is also Corrie’s boyfriend. He is a big guy, and his ego is even bigger, but Corrie insists he is sensitive and caring. Ellie isn’t so sure. Lee lives above his parent’s restaurant. Lee’s dad is Thai and his mom is Vietnamese, and they serve Asian food that is pretty good.
Ellie’s description of Fiona as “perfect” with “fine features” establishes Fiona as the resident “pretty girl” in their group. And, since Fiona’s parents are lawyers, Ellie implies Fiona is rich and also quite pampered. Corrie’s insistence that Kevin is sensitive and caring despite his brutish appearance implies there is more to people than meets the eye—one of the lessons that Ellie and the others learn in particular during their coming-of-age transformation.
Themes
Homer lives near Ellie, and they have grown up together. Homer is a prankster, and a little bit wild, and he is always getting into trouble. For instance, he often breaks windows at school and steals the workmen’s ladder when they climb up to the roof.
Again, Homer is portrayed as a troublemaker, and it is clear that he does not have the same moral standards as someone like Robyn, who would never break windows and harass workmen. Furthermore, Homer’s pranks are quite dangerous, which suggests he is also very brave.
Themes
Robyn, Fiona, Lee, Homer, and Kevin are the “Famous Five,” and with Corrie and Ellie, they make the “Secret Seven.” Although, Ellie says, there isn’t much they can relate to anymore in books like those. “We’ve all had to rewrite the scripts of our lives the last few weeks,” Ellie writes. They have learned so much, and they have discovered “what’s important, what matters—what really matters.”
The “Famous Five” and the “Secret Seven” refers to two series of children’s novels, The Famous Five series and The Secret Seven series, by English writer Enid Blyton. These references underscore the friendship between Ellie and the others, but they also reflect the importance of writing and storytelling within Marsden’s novel. Ellie’s comment that they’ve had to “rewrite the scripts of [their] lives” implies that Ellie and her friends have been through something major that has changed them profoundly and taught them “what really matters.”
Themes
