Essay Questions

What are the Gremlins, and what is their purpose?

The Gremlins are creatures that destroy the Royal Air Force (British Air Force) throughout the novel. Colloquially, they are named by pilots as terms for engine troubles that cannot be explained. They want to destroy these planes because they have destroyed their natural habitat, the woodlands. Their habitat was destroyed when the British plowed it to create airplane hangars. They take out their anger on these planes, and are the bane of pilots’ existence, because they can do very little to stop the Gremlins from taking over the planes and destroying them mid-air.

Who is Gus, and what does he do of significance?

Gus is one of the Royal Air Force pilots in the novel, and he is the main character. His claim to fame is that he has his engines destroyed by the Gremlins, and decides to converse with them. He convinces some of the Gremlins to defect to his side and fight with them in the war. This war is World War II, and the common enemy are the Germans, namely Hitler and the Nazis. Begrudgingly, the Gremlins accept this proposal, thinking it means that they will be able to live more peaceful lives if the war ends quickly.

How do the Gremlins become key figures in the War?

Due to Gus’s influence, the Gremlins defect and begin to help the Royal Air Force and the British during World War II. They use their evolving knowledge of the British planes to help fix them once they are attacked by enemy forces, and begin to turn the tide of the War. They also actively help Gus when he is in a terrible accident, and due to the fact that he is an influential figure in the War, they create positive change. Their restoration of British planes and helping influential people in the War helps them create a more positive change and stop perpetuating a cycle of destruction when they can just fix what is broken.