After Sergeant Hanley and the field punishment, and the way Charlie managed to smile through it all, there isn’t a man in the company who doesn’t look up to him. Being his real brother I could feel I live in his shadow, but I never have and I do not now. I live in his glow.
In this quote, Tommo talks about his brother Charlie, emphasizing the brotherhood and camaraderie between them. This quote shows that no matter how confident and popular his big brother Charlie is, Tommo feels he has never been left behind or eclipsed. Though some people think Tommo might live in Charlie's "shadow" because his brother is more popular and bold, Tommo believes that he "lives in his glow." This shows that Charlie is a role model for Tommo and this doesn't make Tommo jealous but instead makes him proud of his brother. The use of 'shadow' and 'glow' is a juxtaposition, and the use of the technique suggests that, though their relationship might be difficult at times, they still get along well.
I have killed my own father.
In this quote, Tommo talks about his role in the death of his father, who died at the beginning of the book. Tommo feels that it is his fault he has died because his father was crushed when shoving Tommo out of the way of a falling tree. The word 'killed' in this quote suggests that Tommo feels he is directly responsible for this death and feels guilty because of this. He decides to keep the secret to himself, not telling anyone about how his father actually died until the end of the book.
However, when he finally confesses this deep dark secret to Charlie before his execution, Charlie laughs and says he has known this for a long time, since Tommo talks in his sleep. Charlie emphasizes that no one blames Tommo for his father's death.
I must survive. I have promises to keep.
In this quote, Tommo talks about being determined to survive even after his horrific experiences on the battlefield and the tragic death of his brother by firing squad. Because Tommo has promised to take care of Molly and the baby, he must go on despite the fact that he can hardly imagine life without his brother. This demonstrates Tommo's deep loyalty to his brother's legacy.
The brigadier in command sat high on his horse and said that this should be a warning to all of us, that Private Peaceful had got off lightly, that insubordination in time of war could be seen as mutiny, and that mutiny, was punishable by death, by the firing squad.
This quote foreshadows Charlie's eventual insubordination and execution, though this time he is only lashed to a wheel outside as punishment. The brigadier's attempted punishment backfires because the rest of the men admire Charlie for his integrity and courage.
There is a bit of irony in this quote as well: the brigadier, a highly-ranked member of the military who sits "high on his horse," is unlikely to face much danger in battle or be accused of desertion, while the poor and untrained men to whom he speaks face much greater danger.
Molly likes Big Joe. Now I know for sure that I will love her till the day I die.
Tommo has been dazzled by Molly since meeting her, and when she expresses her love for his disabled older brother, his loyalty to her is cemented for life. Through her liking of Big Joe, Molly demonstrates that she is able to look beyond surface appearances and connect with who people truly are. Tommo does indeed end up loving Molly (probably) until the day he dies because he promises Charlie that he will look after her and the child.
And all along I knew full well whose fault it was that this had all happened, that Father was dead, that Mother had to go to work up at the Big House, and that Grandma Wolf had moved in and taken her place.
This quote expresses Tommo's deep guilt about his role in the death of his father, who died shoving him out of the way of a falling tree. Tommo feels that he is responsible not only for his father's death but also for the many difficult things that occurred after, such as the family being threatened with eviction from their home and the arrival of the abusive Grandma Wolf.
In fact, Tommo was a child and had no role in any of this. The callousness of the Colonel in threatening to take the family's cottage from them was the reason why Mother had to work and why Grandma Wolf had to take care of the children. This quote demonstrates Tommo's sense of responsibility.
All that is different about this morning is that I know whose death it will be and how it will happen.
This quote occurs shortly before Charlie's execution, when Tommo has stayed up all night reminiscing about their childhood. He also thinks about the brutal trench warfare they endured, being threatened daily with gruesome death and seeing their friends and companions dying all around them. He and Charlie were always at risk of death, but now it is certain that one of them will die.
This quote emphasizes how violent and tragic the lives of Tommo and Charlie have become, as well as Tommo's sadness about his brother's death.
“More fool them,” Charlie said. “I’m not going, not ever. I’ll shoot a rat because it might bite me. I’ll shoot a rabbit because I can eat it. Why would I ever want to shoot a German? Never even met a German.”
When Tommo first mentions the war and the recruiting efforts, Charlie responds with the quote above. He has no quarrel with any German; therefore, he refuses to kill any of them in cold blood. This quote emphasizes Charlie's integrity and morality. Ironically, though, Charlie does end up going to war and shooting Germans in order to ensure that his family has the ability to stay in their home.
A bee, heavy with pollen and still greedy for more, clover-hopped in front of me as I crawled. I remember I spoke to him. “We’re much alike, bee, you and me,” I said. “You may carry your pack underneath you and your rifle may stick out of your bottom. But you and me, bee, are much alike.” The bee must have taken offense at this, because he took off and flew away.
During training, Tommo has this unusual moment with a bee while crawling through the grass. Bees have stingers, which Tommo relates to his gun. This quote shows Tommo's playful and empathetic nature.
Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of St. Clements,
You owe me five farthings, say the bells of St. Martins.
When will you pay me? say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch.
When will that be? say the bells of Stepney.
I’m sure I don’t know, says the great bell at Bow. H
ere comes a candle to light you to bed,
And here comes a chopper to chop off your head.
This song, "Oranges and Lemon," recurs throughout the book; Big Joe commonly sings this song to comfort himself or to entertain others, and later on, Tommo and Charlie sing it when they are away at war.
This song touches on major landmarks of Englan (such as different churches). It also ends on a note of foreboding and dread: someone is coming to chop off the listener's head. This frightening ending foreshadows Charlie's eventual execution.
