Mar 07: The First Casualty - Questions
Marichka offers some food for thought and discussion for our March selection, The First Casualty, by Ben Elton:
1. The title presumably comes from the axiom "The first casualty of war is truth". In your view, could this be a play on the expression, or have a double entendre, and refer to something else as well/instead?
2. What would you call this book - a historical novel, thriller, murder mystery, social commentary, satire....?
3. Previously (and in his next book coming up this year), Elton has always written about contemporary or slightly futuristic times and issues (media, biotechnology, traffic,celebrity, etc.) Why do you imagine he chose this particular setting and time period?
4. Did reading this affect any previous knowledge or perception you had of World War I? - Did the setting affect how you felt about the story?
5. Does the novel support or undermine Kingsley's arguments for conscientious objection to the war? - Kingsley opposes the war because of its scale, but then muses about other, "smaller" injustices he's overlooked in everyday life. Thoughts about this position?
6. Should Kingsley feel morally compromised for his participation in battle?
7. Is Kingsley's relationship with Kitty a betrayal of Agnes? (Particularly considering that he knows how Agnes feels?)
8. How guilty or responsible should Kingsley feel for what happens to Hopkins?
9. What is the value or point (if any) for an investigation like Kingsley's amid such a difficult situation/environment?
10. What do you think of Shannon? - If you took out the scene with Shannon and the girl under the docks at Folkestone, would it change the story for you?
1. The title presumably comes from the axiom "The first casualty of war is truth". In your view, could this be a play on the expression, or have a double entendre, and refer to something else as well/instead?
2. What would you call this book - a historical novel, thriller, murder mystery, social commentary, satire....?
3. Previously (and in his next book coming up this year), Elton has always written about contemporary or slightly futuristic times and issues (media, biotechnology, traffic,celebrity, etc.) Why do you imagine he chose this particular setting and time period?
4. Did reading this affect any previous knowledge or perception you had of World War I? - Did the setting affect how you felt about the story?
5. Does the novel support or undermine Kingsley's arguments for conscientious objection to the war? - Kingsley opposes the war because of its scale, but then muses about other, "smaller" injustices he's overlooked in everyday life. Thoughts about this position?
6. Should Kingsley feel morally compromised for his participation in battle?
7. Is Kingsley's relationship with Kitty a betrayal of Agnes? (Particularly considering that he knows how Agnes feels?)
8. How guilty or responsible should Kingsley feel for what happens to Hopkins?
9. What is the value or point (if any) for an investigation like Kingsley's amid such a difficult situation/environment?
10. What do you think of Shannon? - If you took out the scene with Shannon and the girl under the docks at Folkestone, would it change the story for you?
Labels: Mar 07
posted by Renee AKA "GOP Baby" at
9:02 PM
|
0 comments
