Strangers In A Strange Land: Code Name Maris

Strangers in a Strange Land: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein Code Name Verity is a story about friendship, loyalty, and alienation. It is inspiring and easy to relate to. From the characters we learn how to persevere in a culture where people define others based on religion, looks, hobbies, and much more. Code Name Verity teaches that “There’s glory and honour in being chosen. But not much room for free will.”(Wein 140).
Like Maddie and Julie, the narrators of Code Name Verity, we often have to defy the definitions given to us for the benefit of ourselves and others. When making a decision, rather than doing what we are first compelled to do, we need to think about what the right decision is. Other people influence our opinions and decisions. Most, if not all, people have experienced peer pressure when making a decision. Peer pressure can greatly impact a decision and define us. We should make decisions for ourselves because no one else is living our life but us. We see this in Code Name Verity when Maddie is told that because she is a woman she cannot fly a plane. She strives to become a pilot and succeeds. She does not let anyone tell her that she is making a wrong decision

Although he has lost most of his fingers and all of his toes, he has remained in the armed forces. He is labeled by his family and friends as “The Pobble Who Has No Toes”(Wein 124). This make a reference to a poem by Edward Lear called The Pobble Who Has No Toes. The last line of this poem states: 'It's a fact the whole world knows, 'That Pobbles are happier without their toes.'. The nickname “The Pobble Who Has No Toes” shows that Jamie is not bitter about the past. I think that he knows that there is nothing that he can do about his lack of toe so he will not stand to be labeled anything less than what he is. He understands his disadvantage in some situations, but does not let it label