Flygirl

“Sailors are dying in Hawaii, women are flying overseas. But everything is the same for the Joneses of Slidell, Louisiana.”

This quotation comes right after Ida and her family learn that the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Ida is at home with her family, and despite the news of the war, it is a normal night for the Jones family. This quotation foreshadows the changes that are coming for the Joneses, and also illustrates how difficult it is to grasp the concept of war while safe at home.

“‘Stella, look at that boy run,’ he said, seeing Thomas come up all sweaty and scared, ten men and the doctor behind him, ready to pull that tractor off of Daddy. ‘Did you see that?’ Daddy said. ‘Look at old Thomas. He sure can fly.’”

In this scene, the reader learns that Ida’s father died after being crushed by a tractor. Witnessing his father’s death also contributed to Thomas’s decision to become a doctor. Ida’s father taught Ida to fly planes and is especially important to her and Thomas. He always wanted his children to “fly,” which for Ida meant by literally flying planes, and for Thomas, by going to medical school. It also reflects the theme of flying,which is central to the novel.

“‘Still, it seems silly. Thomas has men dying on his stretchers every day, and we sit here hoarding sugar and saving rubber, like that’s gonna make a difference.’”

Although everyone is doing their part to ration and contribute to the war effort, this quote reveals Ida’s sentiments that she wishes she could do more. This moment foreshadows her decision to apply for the WASP program.