After their older sister dies, there is no one to care for Kirsti when Mama is not around. It is possible that Annemarie feels maternal toward Kirsti because of Lise's death.

Annemarie and her mother frequently tell Kirsti fairy tales to protect the young girl from the dangerous events unfolding around her. Does it change over the course of the novel?Īnnemarie loves Kirsti deeply, but she is often annoyed with her five-year-old sister's immature behavior. At this moment, Annemarie realizes that pride is not reliant on status or material possessions, but rather, it comes from within.ĭescribe Annemarie's relationship with Kirsti. They are leaving behind their jobs, their homes, and most of their possessions in pursuit of freedom. Annemarie notes that the Rosens still maintain their dignity, even as they are about to escape to Sweden, disguised in tattered clothes. She sees it all around her––in her father's patriotism, Ellen's pride in her acting, and the Rosens' pride in their Jewish identity. How does Annemarie's understanding of pride change over time?Įven as a young child at the beginning of the novel, Annemarie understands the importance of pride. Ever since she died, his life has not been the same, and by continuing to fight, he is honoring her memory. Peter's willingness to fight and die in the Resistance may also be compounded by the loss of his fiancee, Lise. In her Author's Note, Lowry writes that Peter was inspired by Kim Malthe-Bruun, a real Resistance fighter who wrote that fighting prejudice and narrow-mindedness was worth making the ultimate sacrifice. Peter Neilsen believes that ensuring a free, decent society is more important than any one person's life.

Why is Peter willing to die fighting the Germans? She also begins to take responsibility for Ellen's safety, and also protects her mother and her younger sister, Kirsti. Although Annemarie never stops being afraid of the Germans, she learns to manage her fear and use her intelligence to trick them. In an extraordinary time like World War II, ordinary people like the Johansens had to be brave and heroic. How does Annemarie grow over the course of the story?Īs the story progresses, Annemarie realizes that courage is not something that only appears in fairy tales.

Lois lowry stars