Courage

Courage is a quality that is shared by several of the most important characters in the novel. It is Smith and Schaffer's courage that allows them to face and overcome the incredible impediments and challenges that confront them at almost every turn, and which allow them to successfully complete the mission. While both characters are larger than life in many ways, the author does a very effective job of presenting them as men who - far from having no fear - are instead able to overcome the fear that they do have. Smith does this by remaining completely focused on the mission at all times, and pushing himself to the point where he is too exhausted to be afraid. Schaffer, on the other hand, deals with his fear by making a joke of everything.

Mary encounters a number of very dangerous and frightening things during the course of...