The Machine Gunner Quotes

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In the book "The Machine Gunner" by Robert Westall, Chas and his gang overcome all kinds of difficulties together to achieve their plan: fight the Germans themselves. In order to achieve their plan, Chas and his gang build a shelter called “Fortress” in Nicky’s garden. At first, the purpose of building the fortress was to hide the German machine gun that Chas found and to create a private and safe place for the gang. As the story progresses, the fortress becomes a very important place that provides them not only with comfort and safety, but also with the improvement of their social skills. The fortress provides comfort for Chas and his gang, both mentally and physically. In the book, on pages 93 and 94, it says, “It was great that the Fortress. …show more content…

lounged on the pink-sprigged mattress that covered the bunks...” From this quote, readers can see that the inside of the fortress is warm and cozy. It has all the necessities for a pleasant life, giving them comfort physically. Also, being in the fortress gives them enjoyment. That is because on page 175, when John ran away from his parents and thought about where to go, he thought, “... but that shelter was full of laughter and fun and children who were kind. That was the safe place he must run to now”. This indicates that John remembers the fortress as a fun and safe place. Readers can see that the fortress is a fun and safe place that provides comfort not only physically but also mentally. Therefore, the fortress became ‘home’ for Chas and his gang in terms of comfort. Moreover, the fortress became ‘home’ for Chas and his gang in terms of safety. It is because on page 94, it says, “There is nowhere as safe as Fortress Caparetto in the whole of Garmouth. Above the thin steel of the Anderson’s arched roof were three solid feet of earth and rockery, concreted together here and there.” This quote shows that, because they made the fortress secure and very strongly built, Chas feels safe within …show more content…

Then, he immediately runs off to the fortress, which shows he trusts in the safety of the fortress. Furthermore, he chooses to live in the fortress with Clogger, which indicates he thinks of it as a second home for him and feels secure there. Plus, in chapter 15, when Chas’s gang runs away from their parents, they all choose to go to the fortress without hesitation. This indicates that Chas and his gang feel safe and like being there. Thus, in terms of safety, the fort became a ‘home’ for Chas and his gang. In addition, the fortress encourages them to improve mentally, like at home. Home is a place where people feel comfortable and safe, but it is also a small society where children learn about society and how to interact with other people. At the fortress, Chas and his gang developed social skills and organized the gang. In chapter 7, they made a position for each person. For instance, “Sergeant Jones, Private Nichole, Corporal Carstairs”. This shows each person has a role and responsibility for it, like in society, which makes them

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