Chapters 3 and 4 Summary

The articles of the Italian Racial Law are cited, with respect to how Jews are to report their status in the Census. In 1938, Jews are excluded from all types of business and employment and plans for genocide have been made, giving Germans free rein to destroy them in every way. Baptized a Catholic, Ida reports her deceased mother's Jewish status to Roman authorities. Like many others, Ninuzzu, at fourteen, is pleased about the newly formed pact between Hitler and Mussolini. Ida lives as an Aryan but mingles with Jews in the ghetto. She worries that her secret might someday affect Nino. There is a sense of confidence among the Jews that they are protected by Mussolini, their Rabbis, and the Pope. A friend, Vilma, brings startling news of impending atrocities against all Jews. Ida calculates that Nino will qualify as Aryan...