The novel presents heroes as victims because their heroism does not bring them pleasure, only suffering, unhappiness and guilt.

The characters go to war in order to confront evil but there is also a threat they do not recognise within their own town.

The characters hide things about themselves, which means that the reality of their feelings and intentions are hidden – think of Larry and Francis as examples.

By the end of the novel the characters seem to live in isolation, separated from their past, facing an uncertain future alone.

The experiences of war, and its impact on individuals, places and people as a whole, is a central idea which underpins everything.