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Vladeck marries Anja
Vladeck meets with Anja and becomes incredibly close with her, then meeting her family and marrying her. This marks an important part in Vladeck's character development as after marrying Anja he became much more caring towards others. The theme of family can be seen here as he just added one and has become part of one. He uses their resources and provides for them, and without them he'd be lost. -
Anja gets Depression and then Nazi's Invade
Vladeck, after moving in with Anja's family, realizes she may be suffering from depression. They go on a vacation to cheer her up, but when they come back Vladeck's business has been overrun by the Nazi's. This is important as it changes Vladeck's life as a whole, their source of money was from the factory. This changes his comfortable life to one of living off scraps he'd be able to scavenge. Vladeck feels responsible for them and wants to help them after how they skyrocketed his business. -
Vladeck Gets Deported to Work Camp
The Polish are drafting all the able bodied Jews to fight for them. Vladeck is one of those chosen, and they get overrun immediately on their first encounter and he is sent to a work camp living the family to fend for themselves.
This is a huge turning point in the story for Vladeck, as when he was able to make a living hes now practically a slave for the Nazis.
This is related to the theme of familial guilt as due to him being gone the family is in an even greater state of danger. -
Vladeck is Liberated and Travels Home
Vladeck is given an opportunity to leave as he had been a good prisoner and took it. He then traveled back to Anja. This is yet another turning point in the story, as what had previously looked like the end for him completely changed around. This can be connected to the theme as the second he is released he thinks about being able to return to Anja. He realized that his family could be in dire trouble and wants to return. -
Vladeck and his Family are all Caught
Vladeck and his remaining family have bounced around from bunker to bunker a fellow Jew catches them and sells them out. The children sent away to a safe place weren't safe and were all killed by poison by their caretaker. Vladeck loses everything he worked so hard for and his kid as well. The loss of everyone in his family except Anja is devastating and he could be taking guilt for it. It could've been prevented had they killed the jew, but he suggested they didn't and it cost them their lives.
