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Sentence Summary: When Warsaw was invaded by the Germans, Antonina escaped to Rejentowka. Antonina states, "I was so depressed that I couldn't do anything.
Negative Character Development: This drives her away from the home and husband she has known for many years, and she feels for the first time that she is scared, and depressed.
Relevance to Theme?: When she escapes, people take her in. These people gave her a home and a hope without expecting benefits, so she later did the same to others. -
Sentence Summary: After many hardships, Antonina and Jan return to the zoo. They fear that the zoo is going to get liquidated.
Positive Turning Point: Even though the zoo is in ruins, the fact that they're back home is a good thing, because Antonina can be less on edge. This also is a segue into them helping others.
Relevance to Theme: Antonina and Jan got to return to the zoo because the people showed them hope and compassion without expecting anything in return, just like the theme . -
Sentence Summary: Out of the goodness of their heart, the two start to hide a few people in their zoo, as well as help them with other things.
Positive Turning Point: This turning point changes the story's direction, because they start helping people hide and it starts to develop into something bigger.
Relevance to Theme: Showing hope and compassion to strangers without expecting anything in return applies to this because that is exactly what they're doing. They're helping strangers in need. -
Sentence Summary: Even though the food is meager, guests keep coming to the Warsaw Zoo. She says that even though it is hard work, it's fun learning about the tenants.
Positive Character Development: With more people to talk to & learn about, she keeps her mind busy. She can feel herself enjoying these moments, even if her life is endangered.
Relevance to Theme: Again, they keep on giving a home and hopes to strangers, and even if they don't expect anything, they do get friendship in return. -
Sentence Summary: Antonina was confronted by a German soldier because she was right in front of a fire. Using her humor and wits, she made the soldier go away.
Positive Character Development: She was praised by Jan, who didn't usually offer praise. In her diary, she says that she felt important, talented, and needed.
Relevance to Theme: Helping people without expecting benefits is seen here because she helped her tenants without expecting anything, and she surprisingly got praise in return. -
Sentence Summary: Everyone that lived in Antonina and Jan's house comes together for more happy times.
Positive Turning Point: Everyone is happier because the food is not as scarce, they are not getting oppressed, and so many other reasons. They can live their life freely now.
Relevance to Theme: Antonina and Jan helped all these people, and expected absolutely nothing in return. Now their good deeds are coming back to them, because the people they helped are their close friends now. -
