The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story Chapter 19 Quotes
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story Chapter 19 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
All the Guests and friends in hiding had secret animal names, and Magdalena's was "Starling," in part because of Antonina's fondness for the bird, but also because she pictured her "flying from nest to nest" to avoid capture, as one melina after another became burnt. (19.4)
"Free as a Bird," which is a Beatles song, doesn't quite ring true here. Antonina is as free as a bird that is fluttering from one cage to another. She's more like the Smashing Pumpkins song about a "rat in a cage." Again, there's relative freedom in this novel, but true freedom doesn't come until after the war is over.
Quote 2
By associating any tune with danger, one never again hears it without adrenaline pounding as memory hits consciousness followed by a jolt of fear. She was right to wonder. As she said, "It's a terrific way to ruin great music." (19.17)
The songs played on the piano during the war become PTSD triggers for the residents of the villa after the war. It's like this: if a bomb went off every time you heard "Who Let the Dogs Out," then you'd feel pretty much exactly like you do whenever you hear "Who Let the Dogs Out" on a peaceful day. (Yes. We jest.)
Quote 3
Rumor has long ears, and as an old Gypsy saying goes, Fear has big eyes. (19.5)
What do you think this saying means? Is it that when people are afraid, they are always wide-eyed and on the lookout? Perhaps they see things that aren't necessarily scary but are nevertheless perceived to be a threat? Or maybe Fear just wears really big glasses.