A Bird

The image of the bird is an image that Irena uses often in the novel. It appears at the beginning of the novel as a representative of the baby she saw thrown into the air and shot by the German officer.

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

Germans and the Soviets signed this non-aggression pact saying that neither country would make war against the other.

Red Army

The term Red Army refers to the Soviet Armed Forces.

Carpet Slippers

After they moved in with Aunt Helen, Irena’s family earned a little bit of money by making carpet slippers.

Lalka

Lalka was the fake name that Irena gave the jailors when they suggested she could go stay with a friend. Irena used this opportunity to escape from jail.

Tin Box Filled with Food

Irena slid this box full of food under the fence of a Jewish ghetto near where...