From the American point of view, the children should be considered the enemy, yet the reader can t help but be drawn into their lives and like them. This certainly presents an interesting twist to the problem of war liking your enemy. As the story unfolds, the issues of why one side dislikes the other side are clearly addressed on more than one occasion, as well as the personal reasons why individuals support their cause. Sadly, once the war has begun, lives are lost. If they didn t hate the enemy before, they do now, because the enemy has killed someone they loved.
People then become bitter, angry, and revengeful.
The children s uncle lost a dear friend in the war under unusual circumstances. His bitterness is apparent. At the same time, the rebel has passionate feelings about the war, because he wants to fight for the cause of freedom. From the beginning of the rebel s captivity, the children must also deal with the issue of Christian charity. The children also witness the rebel s constant aid to his companion, although his companion seems to repeatedly ruin several escape plans.