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
Corrie has a routine of checking her father’s radio every day but gets nothing but static. One night, while sitting next to Ellie, Corrie asks her what the other dials on the radio are for. Ellie doesn’t know what she is talking about and asks to see the radio. Corrie’s father told her to stay on either PO or FM, and even though the radio is labeled in French, Ellie figures out that it is a shortwave radio. Corrie asks what that means, and Ellie tells her they can get stations from all over the world on the shortwave frequency. Ellie calls the others over, and even though the batteries are nearly dead, she begins to spin the dial.
Corrie’s ignorance of how to properly use her father’s radio reflects her young age and inexperience, and she doesn’t even think to ask someone else about the radio until the batteries are nearly dead. Ellie, on the other hand, again proves herself to be wise beyond her years in deducing the radio is actually a shortwave, which will give them access to valuable outside information about the war.
Themes
Foreign stations begin to come through the radio, and Ellie stops on a program in English. The voice coming from the radio reports that America is hesitant to get involved, but all prisoners are being held in “humanitarian conditions,” and the Red Cross will be allowed to inspect the camps. Homer tells them each to grab pens and paper and record what they hear. After a few minutes, they compare notes and are shocked at how different they all are. They only thing they can definitively agree on is that the war seems to be contained to Australia. It isn’t World War III—at least not yet.
“Humanitarian conditions” again implies that the invading power doesn’t necessarily want to hurt anyone—though they will if they have to. The Red Cross often inspects camps during times of war to insure civilians aren’t being mistreated or killed, and it seems that the invading power doesn’t want any trouble or accusations of war crimes. Homer’s suggestion that they write down what they hear and the resulting differences underscores the limitations of storytelling, as each of their experiences are different, even of the very same thing.
Themes
Americans never like getting involved, Ellie says, thinking about Woodrow Wilson and isolationism. The radio said that the war is aimed at “reducing imbalances within the region,” and Kevin asks what that means. Robyn says it probably has to do with equality. Lots of countries near Australia are incredibly poor, and Australia does nothing to right the imbalance. Kevin doesn’t understand—Robyn sounds like she doesn’t really care that they have been invaded, and she’s supposed to be religious. Robin says she does mind, and she doesn’t know any religion that excuses theft and murder. She simply understands why they did it. She tells Kevin to imagine he has nothing and then consider his options.
Since the start of the United States, isolationism—a form of neutrality concerning the domestic affairs of other nations—has been practiced, most famously by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Official United States policy is to not get involved with the affairs of other nations, unless said affairs disrupt trade, U.S. national security, or present a humanitarian crisis. This policy is exactly why the invading power doesn’t want trouble with the Red Cross—mistreating civilians means the U.S. will likely get involved.
Themes
Kevin still doesn’t agree. Invading another country is wrong, he says. Robyn agrees, but it is possible to be both right and wrong at the same time, and it seems like all the countries are in the wrong now. Homer says it is time they decide what they are going to do—they can either stay in Hell and hide, or they can go out there and do something. Some of the soldiers he saw in town were younger than they are, and he is sure they can make difference. Fiona suggests they find out more about the Showground and their families, and Kevin goes on about how he hates the invading soldiers. He wants to drop a nuclear bomb on them.
The fact that the war is being fought to “reduce imbalances within the region” suggests that the invading power isn’t entirely wrong in their decision to wage war—or, at least, that their decision to wage war is somewhat justified. In this way, Marsden explores whether war can ever be considered ethical or moral, for any reason, even one as valid as inequality and social justice. Robyn recognizes this incredibly adult and nuanced moral dilemma, which again reflects her growth and maturity.
Themes
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Fiona, Robyn, and Corrie think going to town to fight is an unnecessary risk, but Kevin is ready to go, and Lee says he would go, too, if he could. Homer is ready to fight, too, just like his grandfather did in the civil war. Homer suggests they send two groups of two into town for reconnaissance, and the rest of them can fortify basecamp in Hell. They have to get serious about sustainability and start hunting for food. Corrie suggests bringing some chickens and goats in, and Homer agrees. Ellie looks at Homer. He is thinking about the “long term,” Ellie says, and Homer confirms he is. “The really long term,” he says.
Homer’s plans for the “long term” again underscore how reasonable and responsible he is becoming under the stress of the war. He plans their movements in a military fashion, involving reconnaissance and the fortification of basecamp. Ellie seems surprised by how intricate Homer’s plans are, which anticipate the war lasting for a very, very long time. Ellie might be growing and maturing along with Homer, but she isn’t fully appreciating the gravity of their situation quite like Homer is.
Themes
They decide that Robyn and Chris will be one team, and Kevin and Corrie the other. They are to work separately but keep in contact, and they are to only gather information. Ellie stays in Hell with Fiona, Lee, and Homer and is excited thinking of the upcoming days. She has feelings for both Lee and Homer, although Homer’s clear crush on Fiona is a problem. Ellie feels bad that she is thinking about boys during a war, but she won’t let her heart be controlled by her conscience. She lets her mind go and is excited by the possibilities.
Ellie’s secret thoughts of love and her simultaneous crushes on Homer and Lee suggests that love and life carries on, even during war. Ellie can’t escape her thoughts and emotions, so she surrenders to them, which gives her a much needed reprieve from the stress of the war. Additionally, the group’s plan to gather information and nothing else again suggests they are maturing, as their plan takes minimal risks to ensure safety.
Themes
