Loyalty

The author uses a Nazi motto about loyalty for the title of two chapters of the book. The motto reads "My loyalty is my honor." The intended meaning of the motto is to reinforce that members of the Nazi organization are expected to show their loyalty by obeying their superiors, no matter what. This is made clear to Armin when he complains about the dangerous and stupid behavior of his superior in the Hitler Youth. He is told by a higher commander that he is expected to follow the orders of his superior even if he knows him to be an idiot.

Armin's loyalty to the Hitler Youth is tested when he is told to forcefully interrogate Reinhold Kraushaar, the father of his best friend. Armin does what he is told, but he has also been loyal to his friends, Daniel and Miriam, whom he has warned about...