Essay Questions

What was the Blitz?

The Blitz (short for Blitzkrieg, meaning "lightning war"), which occurred from September 7, 1940, to May 11, 1941, was a bombing campaign waged by Nazi Germany against the United Kingdom. Bombings were centered on London, the capital of the United Kingdom, after the Battle of Britain in mid-1940. Bombings typically occurred nightly. German leaders had the expressed goal of decimating Britain and destroying the wills of her citizens. In doing so, the Nazis hoped, they would make it easier for them to destroy the will of the British people, thus making it easier for them to win the war.

What role did the BBC play in World War II?

The British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC, played an integral role in World War II. As a news outlet, they kept the British public (and the broader world) informed about the war and its developments. Not only that, the BBC was instrumental in keeping the spirits of the British people high despite the German's intentions to do otherwise. Despite their intent to keep the spirit of the British people high, the BBC was brutally honest about how the war was going for the people of the United Kingdom.

What is a program director?

Sam, the main character in the novel, is one of many program directors at the British Broadcasting Company, or BBC. Programs directors have a multifaceted role in their position. Sam, for instance, is responsible for budgeting, content development, and creation, editing, dealing with personnel matters, and perhaps most importantly, managing an area of the BBC (or in some cases, the company itself).