by Robert Elmer
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me," he read aloud.
. . . skal i al evighed ikke dø.
". . . shall never die."
He looked over to see tears in her eyes as she left her own memorial—three of the small dried flowers she'd brought home with her from Terezin. She set them down carefully next to the marker, and even took a moment to run her hand across the inscribed verse.
"Ready?" He helped her to her feet as she nodded her yes.And hand in hand, they left the empty grave behind them.
AFTERWORD
Although this is a work of fiction, many of the scenes are inspired by actual events.
The overall timing of the events is as accurate as I could make it, particularly the days leading up to the attempted roundup of the Danish Jews and the final days of the war. I wrote these scenes with one eye on my history books, mindful of my responsibility to portray well both the agony and the hope.
The incident in which the Jewish directory was stolen actually happened, though it is dramatized in our story.Bispebjerg Hospital is a real place and figured prominently as a hiding place for Jews. Sankt Stefan's Kirke is real as well.Georg Duckwitz was an actual German shipping agent, and he did warn his Danish friends of what he knew to be coming, just as described in the story. His conversations and thoughts here are dramatized, though I believe them to be consistent with what we know of this man's integrity.
Many Danes did actually help in ways described here— from trading apartments to hiding their friends anywhere they could. The scene in which money was raised for the rescue operation was based on an actual event, as was the escape using a casket. The Danish Underground did actually use an ambulance—an account one of my father's friends, Court Nielsen, told me personally. He had been the driver and a member of the Resistance, until he had to flee to Sweden.And of course Danish Jews were actually taken to Sweden much as described. The way that ordinary Danes helped their Jewish neighbors—despite the danger—continues to inspire the world today.
Conditions at the Terezin camp are based on eyewitness accounts, and the Danish Red Cross inspection occurred much as the book describes it. There was no assistant along for the inspection, however. In the final days of the war, the Red Cross evacuated Danish Jews from the camp just as described. I remain full of respect and admiration for the courage of those Jews—both in Denmark and beyond—who endured the nightmare of those difficult days.
I've also attempted to blend smaller, actual details in my narrative. For example, the Danish bishop's letter of protest is word-for-word accurate, and some of the radio broadcast wording is borrowed from actual sources, as well. There are too many others to list.
In all of this, I am indebted to the support of so many people. To fellow writer Bill Myers, who first suggested this book years ago. To my Danish parents, Knud and Evy Elmer, whose stories from their childhood years inspired me to write the "Young Underground" series for children, and eventually this book. To my editor Barbara Scott, who caught the vision early on and who championed Wildflowers of Terezin from the start. To Tricia Goyer, who gladly loaned me many books on the Terezin camp from her collection. To my wife, Ronda, who tirelessly read through first drafts and who always kept me going. And to my Danish friend Mogens Maagaard, whose unwavering enthusiasm and support inspired me as we brought characters to life. Mogens gladly provided Danish research materials, insight into the Danish church, excellent ideas and encouragement.
To all of you, tusind tak. A thousand thanks.
—Robert Elmer
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. As a nurse, Hanne wrestles with her sense of duty and compassion on one hand, and her instinct for survival on the other. Is she able to balance the two, and if so, how?
2. At first, Steffen calls resistance workers "troublemakers" who "shouldn't rush their own funerals." Yet just a few chapters later, he finds himself deeply involved in the Resistance movement. How does he switch sides? What brings about his change? Is it really, as Henning suggests in chapter 12, all about "the girl"? Describe how his outlook shifts from the beginning to the end of the book.
3. Describe a time when you have found yourself switching sides, like Steffen. What caused you to change?
4. This jumps ahead to chapter 31, but again relates to change: What's the difference between Steffen's "old" sermons and his "new" ones?
5. The epigram (quote) that opens chapter 3 says that for the Danish people, "our form of heroism is cheerful defiance with the least possible show." Describe a place in the story where Hanne or Steffen demonstrates this kind of attitude.
6. At one point Henning criticizes his brother for being too cautious. Later, he worries that Steffen is being reckless and tells him to stay in his church. What makes him give such contradictory advice? Is he being consistent in his concerns?
7. Who do you think takes the greatest risks—Steffen, Hanne, or Henning? Why?
8. Georg Duckwitz was an actual historical figure. In the story, what do you think prompts him to warn his Danish friends? Do you think you could have done the same if you were in his position? Why or why not?
9. In chapter 4, Henning warns Steffen about his association with Hanne—a woman who does not share the same faith. He asks, "Isn't there some kind of church law against pastors dating Jewish nurses?" How would you have responded if you were Steffen?
10. In chapter 6, we learn of Hanne's younger sister Marianne, who had died years before. In what ways did Marianne affect Hanne's Jewish faith? Has a family member ever affected your faith, even without knowing it? Describe what happened.
11. In chapter 7, Hanne faces discouragement after assisting in an operation on a young member of the Resistance.(He was, by the way, the same one who helped Steffen in an earlier scene.) After the boy dies on the operating table, she thinks "If she could just lock the door and keep it locked until this was all over . . . perhaps she could better survive the nightmare." Do you think she was justified in feeling this way? When have you ever felt like that? Share some of the circumstances. How well does it work to hide?
12. At the end of chapter 15, Steffen "rowed away from the scent of freedom and back to the terror before he could change his mind." Why do you think he returns? If you've ever faced an opportunity to escape trouble, but didn't, explain what made you stay.
13. In chapter 9, Hanne refuses Aron's demand that she come with him into hiding. What gives her the courage to say no? Do you think she makes the right decision? Why or why not?
14. In chapter 11, Hanne readily admits to Steffen that she is Jewish. But in chapter 37, when guards ask if she's Danish, she simply says she is a nurse. What is she? Jewish, Danish, or a nurse? How do you know? What factors contribute to her conflicted self-identity? Have you have experienced anything like that? Describe your situation.
15. Steffen reads aloud a letter from the Danish bishops (chapter 16) in which they assert that "we should obey God rather than man." How does Hanne or Steffen follow this advice? Give a modern-day example where the same principle might apply in your own life.
16. After the "outrageous fundraising" scene (chapter 17), Hanne and Steffen seem closer than ever. What really happens to cause this?
17. In chapter 22, Pastor Viggo discusses his way of dealing with and serving church families after his retirement. Do you think he takes the correct approach? Why or why not? Describe a time in your life when holding back worked better than charging ahead.
18. Margrethe, the church janitor, is a tragic figure in this story. Do you think the Resistance is right to do what they did? What would you have done if you were a Resistance leader faced with her betrayal? Can you think of other times where the momentum of consequences outweighs a change of heart?
19. When Steffen is jailed (chapter 26), he tells his German captors what he thinks they want to hear. Is he justifi ed in doing so? Why or why not? What would you have done in a similar situation?
20. In chapter 37, Bela's mother waves to Hanne as she is board
ing the bus for home. What changes between the two women and how? What makes the difference?
21. Describe Hanne's attitude toward imprisonment.What does Doctor Janecek call her in chapter 33, and what kind of example is that for us?
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