How does the novel explore the importance of friendship and interpersonal connections, both in civilian life and in wartime? How do Gaunt’s and Ellwood’s interactions with others help them cope with their experiences?

While the novel is set during a historical war and even references specific battles, such as the Battle of the Somme, the characters are fictional. How does the author blend fact and fiction in her portrayal of World War I? What insights does a work of fiction offer that a nonfiction account of this war could or would not?

Compare and contrast the civilian scenes with the war scenes. How do various characters’ perceptions of the war differ, depending on whether they are civilians or soldiers? What does the novel suggest about the tensions and gaps between these perceptions?