Under a War-Torn Sky

Throughout Under a War-Torn Sky, Henry must learn to face daunting situations in order to survive. As he makes his way through the Nazi-occupied territories, he encounters various Resistance members who, despite the grave dangers, seek to aid the Allied cause in any way they can. Henry’s journey thus teaches him to embrace courage and resilience in the face of fear.

Until he crash-lands in Nazi-occupied France, Henry’s experience of courage is limited to the bombing missions he and his fellow servicemen undertake. Henry’s steadiness under pressure impresses his superiors, and he demonstrates considerable courage when his plane is hit by Nazi gunfire, even risking his own escape to help Dan bail out as well. Once he lands, however, he soon realizes that life on the run will require new forms of courage and determination. For example, when soldiers enter the café he’s in on his way to Montreux, he is scared: “Every inch of Henry screamed for him to run, to fly” (79). Despite his panic, he manages to remain outwardly calm and evades detection. Not long after this, when he has just left the care of Madame Gaulloise, he is scared again, wondering, “How was he ever going to survive in this foreign land? (108).