" The plane crash is being used as a metaphor for the near death experiences that he experienced during the war. He is showing his inner thoughts which reveal that there is no one in his society that can understand his experiences, because they did not personally experience them. Their world revolves around conforming to a perfect appearance as expressed in the image of a "sunny countryside." .
Francis is a complex, dynamic character that is changing throughout the story. He finds himself questioning the value system being imposed upon him in Shady Hill. He realizes how pretentious his life is, and he decides to rebel against the values of his community by falling in love with the baby sitter. Shady Hill had been secluded from such rebellious acts as evidenced by the line stating "there had not even been a breath of scandal." His intense desire to reject the values of his community, while exercising his newfound freedom, brought Francis enormous energy. The thrilling state of mind experienced by Francis in rebellion gives him the courage to speak his innermost thoughts. The experience of being "deliberately impolite" to Shady Hill leading members made Francis feel excited. At some point in everyone's life, they have to think about the values that have been imposed upon them during their earlier years. Each person has to make the decision regarding what values they are going to embrace and incorporate into their life. This interpretive fiction story guides the reader in thinking about the values that they have chosen to embrace. Francis became a part of a community that ultimately did not allow him to grow and change. He found himself trapped in the expectations of Shady Hill, and the only way in which he could escape was through his imagination. Each person in society today is part of a larger community of people. Sometimes the community does not allow a person to express growth in their life.