My class have just started reading a novel called “Goodnight Mister Tom”. Every student in the class got a book to read. The story is set around about 1938-1940, so they didn’t have many of the appliances that we have today. They didn’t have any televisions and other things that are normal or every-day appliances that we use today.
The first chapter was about a timid boy called Willie who had been sent away to the country side, which was a safer place, by his mother because of the war. His mother had made Willie be near a church, so this is how Willie ended up being looked after by Tom Oakes. Tom’s wife and baby had died, and ever since, Tom has kept to himself and become quite grumpy towards other residents in the town. However, Tom begins to change when he looks after Willie. Hints in this chaper tell that Willie’s mother wasn’t very nice. She beated him, which caused Willie to have bruises all over his legs and told him that he was a bad boy. In the next chaper it reveals that she also whipped him. She sounds like such a horrible mother! In the beginning of the story, it seems like Tom is just a grumpy old man, who doesn’t want to look after Willie. However, it begins to show that he is very kind and has a soft heart. Willie is very timid, shy and quiet in the beginning, but in the next few chapters, he begins to get a little more comfortable and relaxed, and more trusting with Tom. Some strange things about Willie are revealed in the first few chapters. Firstly, he’s afraid of dogs, cows and horses. And he’s never slept in a bed before. These are strange fears. And then Tom gets sent a letter from Willie’s mother. She sounds terrible! Willie’s past life in London with his mother has shaped Willie’s personality to be scared and nervous. She also told Willie lies such as that he was a bad boy, that only dead people slept in beds and the the colour red is a sinful colour. If I was Willie, I would never want to go back to his mother again!
In class we read some information about children that were evacuated during the war. This was also related to the story “Goodnight Mister Tom”. Afterwards, we answered some questions about it. I’ve listed the questions below (which are some frequently asked questions about this topic) and my answers.
How many children were evacuated during the war? More than one million children!
Where were the evacuees lined up? In the school playground.
How could the children be identified? Identification labels were attached to their clothes.
What did they take on their journey with them? They had a gas mask, a packed lunch and a small suitcase with them.
Why was evacuating good for poor children? The poor children would probably get a better life-style with wealthier people (Just like Willie, because Tom is much wealthier than Willie was back in London). They were better fed and cared for than they were at home. The country side offered fresh air and was full of fun and freedom for them!
Why was it hard for richer children? The richer children had to live a less-wealthier life during this time. They were horrified to find out that they had to use an outside toilet and they were forced to bathe in a tin bath in the kitchen in front of everyone.
What did the local children call the city children? The local children would tease the children evacuated from the city and called them “the invading hoards” or “vackees”.
Why was it hard for parents to visit their children? Because the fathers were away fighting, and the mothers found the journey long and expensive.
When I first saw this book, I was shocked to see how big it was! But I’m really enjoying the book so far, and can’t wait to read more!