The War That Saved My Life

Chapters 1-7

Reading Check

1. Her clubfoot (Chapter 1)

2. The countryside (Chapter 2)

3. A pony (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. Mam physically and verbally abuses Ada; she feels as though Ada should be hidden away because she is ashamed of her clubfoot. Mam also blames Ada for things that are beyond her control. For example, Jamie steals food for Ada, but Mam blames Ada rather than Jamie, choosing to lock her in a small cabinet under the sink overnight. (Various chapters)

2. Ada blames herself for having a clubfoot, and as a result, she also feels responsible for Mam’s verbal and physical abuse. Out of guilt for her physical disability, she teaches herself to walk. When Stephen says it is “crazy” she has been kept in her home because of her foot, Ada still reasons that she is at fault. (Chapter 3)

3. Ada realizes she and Jamie are not as clean and well-kept as the other children: she describes herself as having a pale complexion with dirt and calluses on her knees, as well as grubby clothing. She also observes that Jamie is “dirtier than the other boys” their age.