Discussion Questions
Why Stay We Here?
March 10, 2009

Novel Questions:

In answering the questions it is essential to provide specific references from the book.

1. To what degree is the novel about the paradox of war (ie that violence is necessary to ensure the preservation of values)? What, in the eyes of the soldiers, is being preserved or fought for in the novel?

2. The novel examines the question of the reality and unreality of the war as presented to the soldiers and the home front. What are examples of how the 'expectations' of war differ from the actual experiences? How would this relate to other materials that we have examined to date?

3. In the novel, how did war become a dividing experience based on participation in the war?

4. According to the review of the novel in Canadian Military History, "…Why Stay We Here?" is not really an antiwar novel. Godwin knew as well as anyone the horror of war, but he also knew that there were certain things worth defending." Do you agree with this contention? How would this relate to other materials that we have examined to date? Be specific.

5. I want everyone in the group to pick one detail about the war that stuck with them from the novel. What do each of you consider to be the most important "fact" you took from the book, and why? (that is, if you had to take only one 'fact' from the book to tell someone else, what would it be?)

Letter Questions:

1. If you had to pick one letter for class discussion, what would it be, and why?
2. How do the letters extend our understanding of the soldier experience and of the homefront experience?  In answering this, pick out three (3) details which you think are particularly unique, insightful, etc. from the letters for discussion.