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

An important motif that recurs throughout the book is that of traditions and culture. In the face of war and genocide, Chaya and the other Jewish fighters continue to uphold Jewish traditions. At the Draengers’ farm, the members of Akiva come together to celebrate every Sabbath. Similarly, the ZOB holds the Seder in Warsaw even as German soldiers surround the ghetto, as it is the night before Passover.

Both instances point to the theme of The Interplay of Community and Heroism During Wartime. In the face of possible erasure, the Jewish community holds to their traditions and culture to keep their people bonded and their spirits alive. It is not only Jewish tradition that keeps people’s spirits up and brings them together, however. Yitzchak tells Chaya about the concerts that used to take place in the ghetto, responding to her surprise with an assertion that it is precisely in dark times that music must prevail. The creation of art and the celebration of culture help people remember who they are in the face of the Nazis’ dehumanization of their community. In this manner, the upholding of traditions and culture is among the

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now