Dan mentions historian Arnold Toynbee in a conversation with Randy. Discuss the significance of this passage in terms of the theme of the novel.

"Well, not quite. You react to crisis in the right way. You remember what Toynbee says? His theory of challenge and response applies not only to nations, but to individuals. Some nations and some people melt in the heat of crisis and come apart like fat in the pan. Others meet the challenge and harden. I think you're going to harden."

The above quote is significant in that it supports the theme of resilience. Randy, and the other residents of Fort Repose, meet the challenge and work together in reaction to the crisis. Resilience is displayed in individuals, as well as within the community as a whole.