Nearly all the characters from Postcards from No Man's Land who are alive during World War II are brave. Geertrui is ready to die for Jacob and is always acting rashly to defend him; Jacob would rather stay behind than risk his comrades' lives; Geertrui's parents take English soldiers in even though they know what will happen if the Germans find out (it won't be good). And even the Wesselings hide the boys to keep them from the German camps. Not all of the good-guy characters are great fighters or strategists—heck, not all of them are even on the same side. But regardless of nationality—Dutch, English, American—all are capable of acts of great bravery, and each turns his or her strengths into courageous actions both on the battlefield and off.
Questions About Courage
- How does this book define courage? What is the most courageous act of the book?
- Jacob thinks that he's not brave like his grandpa, but Alma and Geertrui thinks he's just never had reason to prove his courage. What do you think? Are people born brave, or does it only come out in certain situations, like war?
- How courageous do you think Geertrui and Jacob are? What do they do that makes them brave?
- Geertrui fights her dad to get the chance to help the soldiers. Is she courageous or naïve when she does that?
Chew on This
Jacob and Geertrui are courageous for fighting for their love in the midst of a war that is killing off their families and friends.
While a lot of characters are brave during the war, the book leads us to believe anyone could act just as courageously, given the right circumstances.