Behind the Bedroom Wall

The opening chapters establish the atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and enforced conformity in 1942 Germany. Rita unashamedly tells her friends that she plans to report her cousin, Elsa Demmer, who said that “it’s a sin what’s happening to the Jews” (17). Elsa’s guilty look at Rita and silence for the rest of the evening indicate children’s role in Nazi Germany in reporting potential dissidents. The culture of reporting breeds an atmosphere of suspicion, stress, and mistrust. Korinna’s participation in this system is evident in her reporting her teacher, Fraulein Meiser, to her jungmädel leaders when her teacher made a comment out of frustration with the history textbook alterations. Korinna reflects that “part of being a loyal German was turning in traitors” (21), but when Eva wonders aloud—after the presumed arrest of their beloved teacher—whether the efforts to create a strong fatherland are “worth it,” Korinna must admonish her. Korinna’s loyalty is further tested when she discovers Sophie and Rachel living in her family’s home. Throughout the story, Korinna’s loyalty to the Fatherland will be tested against her loyalty to those she loves.

The narrative hints at the existence of another, unknown part of the home when Korinna complains about hearing “mice” in the wall, when her kitten mysteriously disappears. Her continuing complaint about “mice” after her father say he has set traps hints at the movement of people behind her bedroom wall. Her father’s seriousness when he says he knows she’ll make the “right choice” (about a name for her kitten) indicates that his statement is about more than a kitten name. He’s indicating that he realizes she’ll eventually discover the truth and reassess her beliefs.

The story introduces The Propaganda of the Third Reich as an important and recurring theme. Korinna hero-worships the Fuhrer and is encouraged to listen to all his broadcasts. Sophie says angrily to Korinna, “You’ve learned to hate Jews in school and at your meetings” (41). The truth in the accusation is clear in Korinna’s learned conviction that Sophie and Rachel are “the enemy.” The effectiveness of the Nazi propaganda is further evident in Korinna’s thoughts about the rewriting of history in German schools when she considers the history books of the future: “Hopefully they would take out mention of the Treaty of Versailles as if it had never happened, which, in fact, it never should have” (51). Furthermore, Korinna tells her mother, “We had to paste together too many pages because our teacher told us those pages were no longer accurate […] our new books have pages and pages about our Fuhrer and all he’s doing for Germany” (8). Korinna’s mother gently tells her daughter, “History doesn’t change […] just people’s perception of it” (8), which characterizes Frau Rehme as perceptive and nonconformist (8).

When Korinna happily tells her mother that Hitler is the “most wonderful man” (8), Frau Rehme “slowly” agrees with her daughter. Her slow response illustrates her reluctance to agree; the Rehmes must appear to be outwardly supportive of the Nazi regime to avoid suspicion. When Korinna excitedly tells her parents about the pamphlets she was instructed to distribute and asks her father if he’d like to see them, Herr Rehme’s anger and disapproval is clear in his response, as he sets down his fork with a loud clang and bellows, “‘No!’” Frau and Herr Rehme’s disapproval of Nazi ideology and the regime alludes to their role in helping Jewish people escape capture, as does Herr Rehme’s unexpected entry through the back door, which borders on the forest, and his evasiveness about his late school meeting. The narrative implies that he was meeting with others involved in the cause to smuggle Jewish people to safety.

Korinna is characterized as a patriotic and enthusiastic jungmädel attendee, yet her misgivings about the harsh law of the Gestapo is clear in her discomfort while watching Herr Haase’s arrest: “Korinna suddenly remembered the hard candies the butcher had always given her when she used to visit his shop with her mother before the war started. Pity for him welled up in her. Immediately she squashed it” (6). Korinna has been systematically exposed to propaganda that positions her to view Jewish people and Jewish sympathizers as the enemy, yet her innate discomfort and misgivings at seeing the regime’s cruelty is clear in this anecdote. Korinna forces herself to accept the scene before her: “He must be an enemy for Hans to be arresting him, she told herself firmly. It would be un-German of her to pity a traitor” (6). Korinna’s discomfort in viewing the arrest is further evident in her lack of hunger that night. It implies that Korinna is a kind person who has been desensitized by systemic and targeted propaganda aiming to create children supportive of the Nazi agenda.

The narrative introduces Deception and Trust as an important theme. Korinna feels angry that her parents deceived her by bringing Sophie and Rachel into their home. She’s obliged to report her parents for their un-German behavior according to the rules of her jungmädel. She must either break her parents’ trust by reporting them, or break the trust of her leaders and betray her sense of patriotism by keeping her parents’ secret.

The insidious effect of the antisemitic ideologies in which Korinna has been instructed are evident when Korinna angrily tells her mother—who is preparing a kosher meal for Sophie and Rachel—that “they’re only Jews,” to which Frau Rehme responds that “they’re people” (54). This anecdote introduces the theme Compassion for Jewish People and Disillusionment with the Nazi Regime.

Frau Rehme clearly wishes to challenge her daughter’s hateful views by encouraging her to interact with Sophie and Rachel. Rachel’s showing Korinna her drawings humanizes Rachel: “‘This is the apple tree in our yard. The flowers are pretty, but the apples are sour.’ She made a sour face. Korinna bit the inside of her lip, stopping her smile just in time” (59). Korinna clearly feels a quick affection for the girl and struggles to suppress her natural tendency toward kindness. Furthermore, Korinna is obviously aware of Rachel’s trauma and sadness: “Korinna couldn't help noticing the wistful expression that sometimes overcame the girl’s otherwise cheerful exuberance” (59). Throughout the story, Korinna grapples with what’s real—she’s forced to ask herself whether Jewish people are really inherently evil and inferior. She must confront what’s right—whether it's right that those who sympathize with Jewish people are beaten in the street, imprisoned, or shot.