Dreaming doesn’t do me a bit of good.
-- Jane (Chapter 1)

Importance: When speaking to Jane prior to interviewing Elsie, Reba learns that Jane wants to get out of El Paso and do something else with her life. However, Jane remains stuck in the same place, doing the same thing. She explains that dreaming does not help her –and by extension, never helps anyone. Jane’s story about being stuck because of circumstances becomes reflective of her mother’s own experiences as a teen girl, stuck in Nazi Germany.

He’s only half-Jewish… and that voice… Doesn’t seem to belong with the rest.
-- Elsie (Chapter 3)

Importance: At the Nazi Christmas party, Elsie worries about the Jewish boy (Tobias) who sings so well for all those assembled. She compares him to her nephew, Julius, and emotionally connects with the boy even though Nazi ideology considers the boy inferior. Elsie’s heart struggles against what she has...