Goodnight Mister Tom

Describe why Tom feels less afflicted with grief at the loss of his wife and child at the end of the novel. Use textual evidence in your answer.

The novel emphasizes the lasting impact of trauma but also stresses the rehabilitative effect of love; which of these conflicting forces is represented as stronger and more impactful in the novel? Justify your answer using textual evidence.

What is the symbolic significance of Will’s childlike scream in Chapter 18? Furthermore, what is the significance of Will’s recovery after this scream?

How does Will’s art contribute to his rehabilitation and increasing confidence?

How does Will’s vomiting of rich food when he first arrives at Tom’s home parallel his initial inability to understand Tom’s unconditional positive regard and kindness?

The novel employs omnipotent, third-person narration, allowing the reader to understand the inner thoughts and feelings of all of the characters. How might the reader’s understanding of Will have differed had the novel been exclusively from Tom’s point of view?

How is the reader’s understanding of Tom assisted by knowing his inner dialogue, which details his concern for Will and his residual grief over his wife and child’s death? What effect does this have in terms of how the story is received and understood?

Do you believe that Will’s intrinsic personality could have emerged had he remained living with his mother? Justify your answer using textual evidence.