Themes and Characters
The experiences of the Balicki family mirror those of many others affected by the war, though their story concludes in an unusually happy manner. The novel briefly touches on Joseph Balicki, the father, but primarily focuses on the children and Jan, an orphan they adopt into their family. Joseph Balicki is an idealistic, brave, and resourceful man. As the headmaster of a school, he is imprisoned for resisting Nazi rule shortly after the Germans occupy Poland. His cleverness aids his escape from the prison camp where he has been held for two years, and upon returning to Warsaw, he searches for his missing wife and children.
During his quest, he meets Jan, a destitute orphan boy. Joseph gives Jan the only clue to his home he has found—a silver paper knife shaped like a sword—on the condition that if Jan ever encounters Joseph's missing wife and children, he will inform them that Joseph has gone to Switzerland. Joseph's compassion and willingness to trust Jan win over the usually solitary boy. This encounter between Joseph and Jan not only sets the plot in motion but also introduces one of the novel's central themes: the necessity of mutual trust and its power to heal the emotional scars of war.
Ruth, Joseph's eldest daughter and the novel's main protagonist, exemplifies the qualities needed to endure the war with hope and dignity. Initially confused by the challenges of surviving in Warsaw without her parents, she grows as she assumes the role of surrogate mother—first to her siblings and eventually to a larger group of children who attend the school she establishes. When her students discover Jan lying ill in the street, Ruth takes him under her wing; through love and discipline, she gradually begins to mend Jan's psychological wounds. Emotionally and morally resilient, she earns Jan's love and trust.
The war has distorted Jan's view of human relationships, leaving him distrustful, resentful, and angry. Soldiers, in particular, epitomize the suffering he has endured, and he fears and despises them all equally, unable to differentiate between those from different armies. Because animals are incapable of betraying trust like humans, they are the only beings Jan feels any affection for until Joseph, and later Ruth, manage to penetrate the defenses he has built. Jan develops a strong loyalty to Ruth, who attempts to teach him the moral values that the war has eroded. As Jan grows closer to Ruth and Bronia, he becomes less self-centered. Although he continues to act dishonestly towards others, his intentions begin to improve. At the novel's climax, Jan finally prioritizes the needs of others above his own. During a storm, he must decide between rescuing his adopted dog and helping Ruth save Edek from drowning. By choosing to aid Ruth and Edek, Jan breaks free from his self-imposed isolation and begins to trust in human connections and responsibilities. Like Ruth, he starts to mature as he takes on responsibility for others. As love and trust begin to flourish, Jan abandons his habits of theft and violence.
The children receive assistance during their journey from people of various nationalities, highlighting the book's themes of reconciliation and the deep bonds among civilized peoples. Serraillier illustrates the willingness of the victorious Allies to contribute to Europe's restoration through his depictions of characters such as the Russian soldier, Ivan, who helps the children start their journey; the British officer who almost runs over Jan but later saves the silver sword; the American Captain Greenwood, who is lenient with Jan after he breaks the law; and the Polish-American G.I. Joe, who gives the children a ride to the Swiss border at the end of their journey. A more unconventional and touching episode is the children's encounter with Herr and Frau Wolff, a German farmer and his wife whose son was killed in Warsaw fighting against the liberating Russian army. Jan struggles to reconcile the couple's kindness with his hatred for soldiers. This compassionate portrayal of Germans is unusual for a World War II novel and reflects Serraillier's commitment to showing that civilians on all sides of the conflict suffered, and that everyone should work together in peace to repair the war's damage. This belief is symbolized by the construction of the international children's village at the novel's end.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.