Summer of My German Soldier

by Bette Greene

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Discussion Topic

An analysis of both the main and minor characters in Summer of My German Soldier

Summary:

In Summer of My German Soldier, the main character, Patty Bergen, is a lonely Jewish girl who befriends an escaped German POW, Anton Reiker. Patty's parents are abusive, highlighting her isolation. Anton is kind and respectful, contrasting with Patty's father. Minor characters include Ruth, the family's black housekeeper, who provides maternal support, and Sheriff Cauldwell, who represents the law's moral complexities.

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Who are the main characters in Summer of My German Soldier?

Although Patty Bergen is the narrator and main character in Summer of My German Soldier, there are several other important characters in the novel.

PATTY BERGEN.  The narrator and protagonist of the novel, Patty is a young Jewish girl living in Jenkinsville, Arkansas. A lonely outcast (primarily because of her religion), Patty befriends and then hides a German POW who has escaped from the local prison camp. When it is discovered that she harbored the fugitive, she is sent to a juvenile prison.

FREDERICK ANTON REIKER.  An English-speaking German POW, Anton escapes from the local prison camp and hides in Patty's garage. He eventually manages to escape, but is later killed in New York City.  

MR. BERGEN.  Patty's father owns a local general store. He is a strict father, estranged from his own parents, and he beats Patty on occasion.

RUTH.  Ruth is the Bergen family's Negro maid and always a friend to Patty. Often outspoken, Ruth makes the long trip to visit Patty in prison, bringing her fried chicken.

CHARLENE MADLEE.  A Memphis reporter, Charlene covers the escape of Anton Reiker and, later, Patty's trial, befriending Patty in the process. She gives Patty a subscription to her paper and visits her in prison.

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Who are the minor characters that significantly impact the events in Summer of My German Soldier?

Minor characters in the story who have a big impact on the book include Patty's parents, Harry and Pearl Bergen, her little sister Sharon, and her maternal grandmother, Grandma Fried.

Harry Bergen is an abusive, ill-tempered man who is a victim himself of repressed rage and self-hatred.  He is the only Jewish merchant in their Prostestant town, and it is important to him that he downplay his ethnicity and that his family not call attention to themselves, and always go along with the majority.  Harry Bergen is bitter because he is indebted to his father-in-law, who has lent him money for his business.  Harry is an unhappy man, and takes his frustrations out on Patty.

Patty's mother Pearl Bergen is immature and selfish.  She is a saleswoman who thinks nothing about taking others' money, and she constantly criticizes Patty, telling her she is unattractive and unfeminine.  Pearl is spoiled, and even as an adult, expects special treatment from her parents.

Sharon Bergen, Patty's little sister, is everything Patty is not.  She is beautiful and well-mannered, and, unlike her parents, loving and affectionate.

Grandma Fried is practical and discerning.  She recognizes her daughter Pearl for the selfish woman she is, and tries to make Patty's life easier for her.  Patty hopes for awhile that her Grandma Fried will be her friend and confidant in her mother's stead, but is bitter and angry when this does not happen.

There are two other characters that have a big impact on the book, so much so that they might actually be considered major characters along with Patty.  The first of these is Ruth Hughes, the Bergens' black housekeeper.  Ruth is a substitute mother for Patty and Sharon, a strong, good woman who tries to give Patty especially a sense of self-esteem.  Ruth sticks up for Patty and is there when everyone else seems to have abandoned her.  She is sympathetic to Anton both because he is Patty's friend, and because he reminds her of her own son who is a soldier.  When Patty gets in trouble with the law for helping Anton, it is only Ruth who puts herself out on the line to support her.

The final important character in the book is Frederick Anton Reiker, the German POW who escapes from the prison camp and is befriended by Patty.  He is intelligent, well-educated, and not at all a devoted Nazi, and by knowing him, Patty learns to think of him as a person rather than the enemy.

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