The War I Finally Won

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The characters in the novel experience various hardships due to the impact of World War II on Britain.

• What does the novel suggest about the theme The Importance of Family during times of hardship? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Ada’s family and those who live with her family contribute to their household structure, how they support one another, and why they draw closer as the war continues.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe what the novel suggests about the value of the family one chooses for oneself.

2. Lady Thornton must adapt to many changes during World War II because of the difficulties of living in Great Britain at the time.

• What beliefs and attitudes are altered in Lady Thornton because of wartime living? (topic sentence)
• Explain Lady Thornton’s attitude toward household chores, rationing, and Ruth early in the novel; Then, explain how her attitudes begin to change.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe Lady Thornton will emerge from the war a different woman, or if she will fall back into her usual patterns of behavior. Connect your conclusion to one of the novel’s themes, Finding Humanity in a Perceived Enemy or The Pervasive Consequences of War.

3. Susan functions as a foil to Ada and Jamie’s Mam.

• How is Susan different from Mam? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Susan’s nature is the opposite of Mam’s by describing her traits and qualities and the ways in which she bestows those qualities on the people who surround her.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why you believe Susan developed these character traits based on her own life experiences and relate this to the novel’s theme The Importance of Family.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. The author frames the story through the perspective of an older Ada who recounts events that took place over three years. Why does the author use this narrative structure, and how does this structure benefit the themes of the story? Provide examples from the novel that reveal aspects of Ada’s past. Why is Ada’s past important in recognizing her personal growth?

2. Horses play an important role in the story, showcasing the characters’ strengths as well as their flaws. How do Butter and Oban highlight character flaws in the novel? In what way are the horses able to bring individuals closer together? How are the horses used to display character strengths?

3. The War I Finally Won is a work of historical fiction about life during World War II. What do the characters’ experiences teach readers about life in Britain between 1940 and 1943? Consider daily activities, food, class divisions, and households in your response and connect to the theme The Pervasive Consequences of War. In what ways might a work of historical fiction serve as a better teacher of history than nonfiction or textbooks?