Significance of Washing in Water

Washing in water symbolizes the putting aside of a life filled with deceit and criminal behavior and preparing to live a new life void of such immorality. When Eva Kluge takes Kuno-Dieter home to her village, she suggests that he wash up as they pass by a stream. She does not want the villagers' first impression of the boy to be of a pig or just a wild ruffian. She wants him to be seen and thus remembered as an average, regular boy, rather than as the wild, filthy, criminal sort that he appears to be at first glance.