Morality and Perspective

Everyone has their own sense of what is right and wrong, and that idea is informed by that individual's own experience and perspective. This is true on a day-to-day basis in even the simplest of ways, but post-war, that morality also pertains to matters of life and death. Throughout history, the Nazis have been universally perceived to be an undoubtedly and completely evil group of people. While the novel does not in any way justify or condone Anneliese/Lorelei's actions during the war, it does reveal to the reader her perspective so that it may be understood. While Jordan is obviously disgusted by her step-mother's actions, Lorelei gets the opportunity in the final confrontation to actually plead her case. Although she isn't going to be forgiven of her crimes for doing so, the fact that she gets to tell her side of the story...