Students may wish to discuss the actions of the early 1940s characters to those of their own time period. How do the young adults in the novel behave differently from those today? How is the fifty-year remove significant; what are the differences in mind set, attitude, world view, and behavior? Are there significant differences, even? Discussing "then and now" issues such as these can be important to help students understand the nature of wartime America.

1. Examine the character of Richard Canidy. Is he a flat or full character?

What techniques does the author use to make him this way?

2. How would you characterize Cynthia as a character? Is she complex, static, developing? Is she a "good" character, a "bad" character, or does she simply exist to further the plot?

3. Some real-life persons—William Donovan, Douglas MacArthur—appear as characters in the novel. Read a...