Lines of Courage

Why does Felix’s point of view open the novel? What does it foreshadow about the story’s main themes and/or his character arc?

How is the character of Kara used to illustrate the impact of Anger Versus Empathy in Times of Conflict?

In Chapter 30, Juliette has a conversation with an older man who asks her to draw a line in the dirt, then tells her: “Mademoiselle, something will always be in your way. So draw your line around it and keep going” (203). What does this conversation later symbolize in the novel? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

In Chapter 36, the narrative states: “Dimitri had never liked the trenches, but something about those few days with Juliette had changed him. Now the monotony of the trenches had become pure misery. His whole life had existed in a trench, he realized that now. Back in Russia, there had never been much choice for what he might do or who he might become. You were born into one trench and expected to remain in it, never to wonder what might be possible if only you climbed the ladder to look out” (232). What does this metaphor convey about Dimitri’s desire for freedom, especially in the broader context of early 20th-century Russia?

Why is Elsa’s point of view the last one to be explored in the story? What closure does her character provide for the narrative? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

What is the significance of each of the protagonists being roughly the same age? What is the significance of each character being from a different country?

How does the narrative define “courage”? Which characters show courage, and in what ways? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

How does the symbolism of the Golden Cross of Merit support the novel’s main themes?