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Ryszard Żabiński is born
Summary: Ryszard becomes a part of Antonina and Jan's family. As the story develops, he is a crucial part of what brings Antonina happiness and what keeps the war somewhat bearable.
Character Development (Positive)- As this is before the war, Antonina is happy and peaceful. Her son keeps the family together and starts out as the only child of her family.
Relation to theme: Through everything that has happened, it is important to remember the things that make us the most happy. -
Poland Bombing
Summary: On the 1st of September, Germany began to invade Poland. The Polish, although persistent, stood no chance against Hitler's reign.
Character Development (Negative): As hard as she tries to stay optimistic, Antonina cannot avoid the fact that Poland is slowly becoming more and more discriminatory to the innocent. She is starting to become very sad, and her happiness is starting to decline.
Relation to theme: Although she struggles to find hope, she manages to care for her loved ones. -
Reform in the Zoo
Summary: As the Warsaw zoo was bombed, many animals had died or been severely injured. But to the Nazis, that didn't matter. Lutz Heck, the new director of the Warsaw Zoo wasted no time in experimenting on the animals.
Character Development (Positive): Despite her prized zoo taken away and the animals hurt, Antonina takes action and becomes confident in her plans to save Jews from the ghettos.
Relation to theme: Despite what had happened to the animals, Antonina only looks toward the future. -
The Underground and Hiding Jews
Summary: Antonina and Jan start their plan to hide Jews within the zoo along with the Polish Underground Resistance Organization. They take multiple risks by taking the time to dye their hair blonde and teach them German.
Character Development: Antonina displays selflessness and a call to action as she takes every last possible risk to save innocent lives in the Warsaw Ghettos.
Relation to theme: No matter what happens, it is essential that we take risks when necessary to save lives. -
Antonina's Leg Infection
Summary: As the winter begins to arrive, Antonina's hard work in protecting as many lives as she can begins to wear her out. She contracts phlebitis, where her leg became swollen. She can't help any people with this infection.
Character Development (Negative): Antonina is not able bodied enough to be able to continue rescuing lives from the Warsaw Ghetto, but she still hopes for the best.
Relevance to Theme: Even when it seems like its over, we cannot lose hope; Antonina portrays this. -
The Warsaw Uprising and Effects of it
Summary: The Underground Resistance starts the Uprising in August. Unfortunately, this ends in their defeat, and only makes Hitler angrier because the war is going badly for him. His anger leads to the oppression of not only Jews, but everybody.
Character Development (Negative): Antonina becomes oppressed multiple times, and is forced to relocate. Her home is destroyed, but she still stays optimistic that she hasn't died.
Relation to theme: Even when we have nothing, we need to stay hopeful. -
End of WWII
Summary: Antonina rejoices over a liberation of millions of people, but stays thankful that she wasn't one of the innocent people who died. She gives birth to another child, and names her Teresa.
Character Development (Positive): Although her husband isn't back from his work in the Underground Organization and the war in general yet, she stays calm that everything will be alright.
Relation to theme: Sometimes the best thing to do is take everything in and be humble about one's survival. -
Theme Statement
Even when things are dire, it is important to remember how lucky we are to be where we are, and to understand that we can only look forwards and be optimistic about our futures.
