Death

The author uses the theme of death as a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and why what happened in World War II should not be forgotten.

Syvia’s earliest memories involve death. By the first winter in the ghetto, Hava’s brother dies and their families sit shiva for seven days. The families pay their respects for the dead as their religion dictates. They are confined to the ghetto because they are Jewish, but continue their traditions so that the traditions do not die.

Syvia tries to ignore having seen a man shot and killed in the street for no reason. Death is all around the ghetto. From arbitrary killings of adults and children to people dying of starvation, Syvia and her family confront death every day they are in the ghetto. Syvia’s friend Hava goes missing. While Syvia does not know for...