Private Peaceful is a 2003 war novel written by English author, poet, playwright and librettist Michael Morpurgo. Morpurgo uses this children’s novel to weave a powerful story on the horrors of war as Thomas Peaceful looks back on his life as a young soldier in the First World War.

How does fear manifest itself in different stages of Thomas’s life? How is it different from the way it haunts other characters in the story? What role does fear play in the different events of the story amidst the war?

In the story, Charlie was executed because of ‘cowardice’. What does this accusation and execution reflect about war and control? What is the significance of Charlie’s death and the way he died - happily singing their favourite childhood song? 

When Thomas was a child, things started going wrong after his cruel Grandma Wolf moved in. However, we find that Thomas blames himself instead of his grandmother for the family’s misfortune. What does this reflect about Thomas as a person? How does he take his brother’s death differently from his father’s, and what could have led to such a difference?

Why do you think Morpurgo gave Thomas the surname ‘Peaceful’? How do you think war changed Thomas in terms of personality and perspective? Do you think he came to terms with himself and found closure as the story ended? Why do you think so?