The War I Finally Won

Chapters 1-7

Reading Check

1. Ankle surgery (Chapter 1)

2. Lady Thornton (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. When Ada learns her mother died, her feelings are conflicted. She feels both relieved and shocked about her mother. Her conflicting feelings stem from her mother’s physical and verbal abuse. She had been worried she would never be freed from Mam’s cruelty. (Chapter 2)

2. Ada worries she will be taken from Susan after Mam’s death. When Susan discusses arrangements, Ada interprets it as living arrangements for her and Jamie. Ada’s abandonment worries originate from Mam’s abuse. She continues to wrestle with the idea that she is wanted because her mother never wanted her. (Various chapters)

Chapters 8-13

Reading Check

1. Rationing (Chapter 9)

2. Oxford (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. Several events point to the danger on the British home front. Ada’s home has been destroyed by bombs, her mother died in a bombing, and the three soldiers who joined her for Christmas last year are all dead. (Various chapters)

2. Ada is often worried about something. For example, she worries Susan will not keep her and she worries Jamie will die when he falls from a tree. Ada’s worries reveal that she believes her life is unstable and she is always waiting for something bad to happen to her. This is part of her trauma response to Mam’s abuse and living in a war. (Various chapters)

Chapters 14-19

Reading Check

1. Ruth (Chapter 16)

Short Answer

1. Lady Thornton brings furnishings and decorations with her when she moves into the cottage. Ada feels as though her space has been invaded—especially when Lady Thornton places items in her room. Ada does not like uncertainty or change. (Chapter 16)

2. Ada believes that because Ruth is German, she is an enemy. She thinks she should be imprisoned. Ada’s response is because of her simplistic understanding of the war. She does not understand that Ruth’s people are being persecuted in Germany. (Chapter 17)

Chapters 20-26

Reading Check

1. Soap (Chapter 24)

Short Answer

1. The villagers refuse to speak to Susan because she is housing a German. Lady Thornton is angry that Ruth will be tutored to prepare for Oxford, while her son could not stay at Oxford because he was sent to fight the Germans. Ada spies on Ruth, suspecting Ruth is a German spy. The household is reluctant to allow Ruth near the stables. (Various chapters)

2. Lady Thornton, being used to comfort and having finer things, spends two weeks’ worth of meat rations on one pound of lamb, which is only enough for one meal. Lady Thornton’s decision leaves Susan wondering where she will get food for the next two weeks. Ada resents that Lady Thornton does not help with cooking and cleaning. Lady Thornton has not performed household chores in the past because of her privileged lifestyle. (Chapter 22)

Chapters 27-34

Reading Check

1. A banana (Chapter 28)

Short Answer

1. Lady Thornton is shocked to learn of Ada’s life with her mother, because Mam was abusive and struggled financially. She shows compassion toward Ada for the abuse she suffered and her impoverished lifestyle. Lady Thornton’s behavior toward Ada and Ruth changes as she begins to realize she does not understand much of what people have suffered. (Chapter 27)

2. Ada believes that her behavior will determine the fate of Susan and Jamie. She believes if she traverses the dangerous stairs to complete the fire watch, it will be a bargaining chip for their safety and well-being. (Chapter 30)

Chapters 35-43

Reading Check

1. Oban (Chapter 43)

Short Answer

1. Jonathan’s plane was shot down over the English Channel. Jonathan’s death blurs the line between classes because his death demonstrates the devastation that is felt by all classes in war-torn Britain, including the upper class. (Chapter 38)

2. Ada observes that her life has improved considerably since the war began while Maggie’s has become more difficult. Ada’s life before the war was difficult because of her abusive mother, their financial hardship, and her clubfoot. Now that Ada lives with Susan, she has the items she needs to survive and has had surgery on her foot. Maggie’s life, once a life of privilege, is now much harder after the loss of her brother. Her food is much less fine, and she performs tasks she would have never had to do before the war, like digging for potatoes. (Various chapters)

Chapters 44-50

Reading Check

1. The United States (Chapter 45)

2. Ruth’s parents (Chapter 47)

Short Answer

1. Lady Thornton is grateful to Ruth and Ada when they save Oban. Ada explains to Lady Thornton that it is not Ruth’s fault she is German. Lady Thornton takes Ada’s statement and Ruth’s help with Oban into consideration when she continues to build her relationship with Ruth by asking her to exercise Oban for her. (Chapter 44)

2. Ada becomes angry with Lady Thornton when she takes her grief out on Maggie. She tells Lady Thornton that she is a terrible mother. Ruth explains to Ada that though Lady Thornton made a mistake by being unkind to Maggie, it does not make Lady Thornton like Mam. Ada learns that adults are fallible, and it isn’t necessarily a sign that they are cruel. (Chapters 49-50)

Chapters 51-57

Reading Check

1. Pneumonia (Chapter 52)

Short Answer

1. Ada and Jamie recall that Becky died from pneumonia. This knowledge terrifies Ada and Jamie who fear she will die as well. (Chapter 53)

2. Ada is surprised Lady Thornton was a lonely child because Ada herself was lonely before living with Susan. The realization that Lady Thornton suffered some of the same feelings as Ada, despite her wealth, is shocking to Ada. (Chapter 55)

Chapters 58-63

Reading Check

1. Spam (Chapter 62)

Short Answer

1. Lady Thornton is overcome with grief when she sees the burned body of a German soldier in the village. She asks Ada if she thinks Jonathan, her son, suffered when he died. When Lady Thornton does not recover after this conversation, Ada spends the money she was saving to fetch Maggie from boarding school to bring her home to her mother. (Various chapters)

2. Ada takes Susan to Becky’s hometown where they visit her grave. While there, Susan sees Becky’s mother who invites them for tea. Becky’s mother states that it is nice to be around family again, bridging the relationship between Becky’s family and Susan. (Chapter 63)