The document discusses the struggles of survival in a post-apocalyptic world, including issues with food, water, mental health, and limited space. It introduces two main characters, William and Catherine, with Catherine possessing traits better suited to survival like being calm, careful, and mature. As conditions deteriorate, Catherine emerges as the only uncontaminated person and the group's last hope for survival. They eventually leave their home to seek refuge elsewhere, hoping to find a place to survive in the new world.

2.  The first half of part 1 deals with the everyday
struggle of survival
 Food –
 Water –
 Cleaning –
 Mental Health –
 Space –
 “Time passed long and gruelling, filled with
intimations of death” – page 29

3.  Out of control vs. sensible
 One has the character traits to survive
 William –
selfish, greedy, hyperactive, naïve, ignorant, a
nnoying
 Catherine – quiet, calm, forward-
thinking, patient, careful, mature

4.  They soon realize Catherine is the only one
who isn‟t contaminated
 This becomes a realization that she is the
only one who will survive
 Everything becomes a plan to help her survive
 Realization of dust on page 36
 “For Catherine‟s sake she would do what she
had to” – page 51

5.  Page 42
 Done to „put him out of his misery‟ or to stop
reminding them of what used to be?
 Buster was their last link to the past – last
remaining segment of their lives.
 Killing him = starting new life
 “Buster died with a yelp, was buried in the
cabbage page…”

6.  “It would be a relief” – page 52
 Veronica realizes it is a hopeless situation
 Commits suicide rather than succumb to
radiation
 The constant voice of cynicism – realist?
 No tearful goodbyes
 “(William and Catherine) asked no questions”
– page 53

7.  The characters all lose faith – eventually
realize nothing will be the same
 Loss of feelings
 “If I could feel… I think he would break my
heart” – Veronica, page 49
 A physical AND mental shift
 “There was nothing to do, nothing to live for”
Page 49
 “He could play with them… perhaps he would
be happy before he died” – Page 54

8.  Why did they stop the kids?
 Survival of the fittest
 Old world morals and beliefs meet new hope
– Catherine humanity‟s last chance
 “Ted won‟t stop you. He‟s not a bad man.” –
Mrs Porter, page 57

9.  A land of milk and honey or a cramped place
to survive?
 The best option?
 “It was a good place in which to survive” –
page 60
 “We‟ll make it” – Johnson, page 61
 “And this was the beginning of a brave new
world” – page 61

10.  Who is “Him”?
 “For in the end people turned to Him” – page
39
 “He won‟t help you!” – page 57
 Are they simply talking about Johnson?