How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"But what I wanted to tell you is that though it was awful at the end, we were all in it together. Now it isn't like that. Most of us in your country and mine are well off and comfortable compared with those days, yet we allow it to happen that great numbers of our young people are homeless." (4.75)
Alma's memory of the war is hauntingly beautiful—it was dark and full of death, but it also forced people to unite and help one another. The question is: which is better—a selfish, peaceful society, like the modern one, or a united, war-torn world like back in the day?
Quote #5
I think this was the moment when I knew for sure that, after all, we had not been liberated but would soon once more be in the hands of the German invaders. And for the first time that week I was truly afraid. So afraid that my legs felt too weak to carry me and my hands trembled uncontrollably. I wanted to scream but could not utter a sound. My stomach tightened in a knot, yet I wanted to rush to the lavatory. (5.57)
The novel doesn't just tell us the consequences of war for the entire community—it makes it personal. Very personal. Geertrui feels sick over what's happening, but she's got no choice but to deal with it.
Quote #6
"Rotten luck!" I shouted. "How can you say that? This is not rotten luck! This is because of fighting. Because of war. Rotten war! I hate it! I hate all of it! I hate those who have done this! How dare they! How dare they!" (5.70)
When Jacob must stay behind from the men, he thinks it's just bad luck, but Geertrui knows better. Here's the thing, though: later on, she changes her tune. She tells us she thinks a lot of her survival was just down to luck, not anything else. War changes her whether she likes it or not.