Resistance

Content Warning: This section mentions wartime violence, death, antisemitism, and the Holocaust.

“After three years of war in which I’d felt helpless against the overwhelming force of the German army, I was finally doing something. I was bringing my people a chance to survive.”

Chaya reflects on how doing courier work allows her to contribute to the resistance against the Nazis. Chaya’s characteristic drive and spiritedness are visible here; it is important for her to take action rather than sit back and wait, as the latter makes her feel helpless.

“[…] I owed something to Yitzchak and Sara, and to my parents, who might eventually be forced into the death camps too. I wanted revenge for every single Jew who had already fallen, and a chance to save the life of every Jew still standing”

Chaya joins the resistance shortly after she receives news of her siblings’ fates. Rather than let grief overwhelm her, Chaya channels it into anger and a desire to avenge them, as well as to help the remaining Jews who are still suffering. This is characteristic of Chaya’s response to tragedy, and it is the opposite of how her parents react to the same situation.

“Esther was petite, with a shy voice, an uncertain smile, and every possible look and mannerism to radiate her Jewishness. None of us were perfect, but we all brought something of value to our jobs. I saw nothing in Esther that would help our cause, and plenty that endangered both her and us.”

Chaya is quick to judge Esther not only because Esther is inexperienced, but because she is so temperamentally different from bold, confident Chaya. Over the course of the book, Esther evolves into a strong companion and ally to Chaya, and Chaya in turn learns to open her mind to different ways of working and being than her own.