While on vacation, I finished reading, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and listening to the book, Ann Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman who Helped to Hide the Frank Family, on tape. Both have enlightened my understanding of what went on among civilians during World War II.
The Guernsey book was a work of fiction, crafted entirely of letters between a young, vivacious author, and eccentric members of the community from the island of Guernsey. The setting is the aftermath of World War II, in which everyone is in various stages of mourning and moving on despite tragedy and loss. The characters are fictional, but through them, the author gives insights into the historical realities that occupied territories faced under Nazi rule. It was beautifully written, amusing, challenging, and even held a love story.
One of the chapters which stood out starkly to me was the description of the days preceding the arrival of the German soldiers to the Isle of Guernsey. After realizing that the Allies would be unable to defend them against the Germans, the residents of the island had one day to decide the fate of their children: would they put them on the provided boat heading for England to have them housed with willing households, or would they be kept with their families to face an uncertain fate as a Nazi occupied territory. The families had no more than two days to decide, and many said goodbye to their little ones, not knowing their exact destination, but hoping and praying that they would be safer where they were going. Those families were not reunited with their youngsters until 5 years later. As a mom who struggles with releasing my youngest into Kindergarten, I simply cannot imagine the trauma of watching the boat carrying my children disappear into the mist, and of being separated during 5 years of war time.
Anne Frank Remembered, gave a keen picture of living in occupied Amsterdam, and of the Nazi's methods for turning against a whole race of people. They made benign changes at first, steadily instilled fear, and then removed all rights, power, and dignity from the people before viciously exterminating them. It spoke of the scarcity of food and basic necessities during the German occupation of Holland, and the bleak years of awaiting what seemed like an implausible liberation.
As they spoke of scrounging for rotten potatoes, and scavenging for food and fuel wherever it could be found, it struck me: My children have no idea of deprivation. "I'm starving" is their ardent plea when they are ready for a between meal cheese stick or granola bar, but they have no concept of true hunger. They have no idea of danger, or war, or anything not centering around their personal happiness (not quite that bad, but almost). Should a version of such times fall upon us, I wonder if we would possess the fortitude and resourcefulness required, having grown soft and spoiled by abundance.
Learning about history always lends perspective to what I consider to be the trials of today.
3 comments:
This is some heavy reading. I've been meaning to get to The Potato Peel Society, but I have to admit, it takes a lot for me to pick up a book about WWII. It is emotionally exhausting to read about that time.
Then...
I tell myself, as a member of the human race, it is my responsibility to take such books on.
Have you ever read Elie Wiesel's NIGHT? It took me years to pick it up (I was downright afraid of it). After watching three of my students read it, I knew I had to try, too. It was heartbreaking, but so important for me to read.
Julia, you are so right that these books provide perspective. Have you found ways to help your children grasp the plight of others, to understand that we lead privileged lives?
I took on the challenge of reading Wiesel's Night, and it was piercing.
I have been looking for ways to have conversations about abundance and suffering and compassion with the children, and for appropriate ways for them to experience the plight of others.
Post a Comment