Secrecy

Mathieu's Resistance operation is in almost constant peril because it is equally necessary both: (1) to coordinate between an incredibly large number of people in order to successfully lead the fallen pilots to freedom, but also: (2) to keep everything extremely secret. Because of this unique dynamic, secrecy and the protection of information is always incredibly important in Resistance operations. It should be noted that there are many types of secrecy at play in the novel aside from simply withholding information from the enemy. For instance, Mathieu withholds his role in the Resistance from his lover Jöelle out of a place of love: if she knew about his role in the Resistance it could easily cause incredible anxiety, plus she would also now be vulnerable in a potential German interrogation.

Furst's writing style only emphasizes the importance of secrecy in the plot. On dozens of occasions throughout...