They Went Left

In these final chapters, Zofia uncovers truths she had kept hidden from herself about both Abek and Josef. Memory and Trauma is explored in her journey toward uncovering these truths. She reflects that she colluded in Lukasz’s lie, as she was so eager to accept the miracle of her brother’s return, “Did I ever even ask Abek exactly which one he’d come from, which one he’d seen the notice at? I don’t think I did. I don’t think I wanted to ask too many questions” (325). She finds the piece of muslin that she had sewn into Abek’s jacket and realizes that it contains “everything about [her] family that a person would need to know” (327), which enables Lukasz to masquerade as Abek.

Zofia decides to accept Lukasz’s story with empathy and forgiveness as she reflects on how the piece of material would have come to reach him: “Someone would have had to undress him, to take and sort those clothes. Another prisoner. Another prisoner who was also a little boy” (341). Although it was not the miracle she hoped for, Lukasz’s efforts to be reunited with the big sister whom he read about on the embroidered piece of material is also remarkable and heart-warming. Her forgiveness is alluded to in the fact that she reflects that Lukasz is, as Abek was, also a “little boy,” which emphasizes the vulnerability of Lukasz in the brutal concentration camp. Lukasz further establishes the sympathy of both Zofia and the reader in his explanation that “the boy saw everyone he loved die in front of him” and thought that the sister he read about “might have been as alone as he was” (344). Zofia’s decision to accept Lukasz as her brother, despite his deception, is symbolized when she extends her hand to him and suggests, “We should go home” (349). Home is established as a place where they are together, and therefore, she confirms that they can be a family; Zofia decides—following Breine’s example—that “we must love the people in front of us” (348). Lukasz is forgiven for his dishonesty in light of the incredible trauma and loss both he and Zofia have suffered; they choose to create a family together and find happiness and a new start together. In this ending, The Power of Love in Bringing Happiness and Redemption is signaled.

On the other hand, love isn’t enough to allow Josef to be redeemed to Zofia, who feels hurt and betrayed by the lie of omission that he told to her and their friends: “He never once said, I’m not who I’ve led you to think I am” (336). This alludes to the enormous suffering that Zofia witnessed and experienced at the hands of other Nazi soldiers. This suffering, which is part of the broader theme of Antisemitic Violence, Genocide, and Displacement During and After World War II, is referred to in these chapters through the deaths of her family and through the casual cruelty that she witnesses upon first arriving at Birkenau: “I could see a guard line up three people, front the back, and shoot a bullet through all at once to use only one bullet” (340). Even though Josef was a deserter, his time with the German army links him to the actions that murdered Zofia’s family. Josef conveys his understanding of his betrayal of her through his decision to leave the camp.