Between Shades of Gray centers in on the Vilkas family from Lithuania, who were facing the repercussions of Joseph Stalin’s reign during World War II. From around 1941 to the early 1950’s they fell victim to three obstacles: Stalin’s purges, the NKVD in labor camps, and education. All three were significant obstacles because they caused political and social impacts, but none were as detrimental as the NKVD and the labor camps.
Stalin sent NKVD officers to purge homes, evacuate or arrest the “fascist scum”, the term for those who did not agree with Stalin, and board them onto cattle cars that were sent to labor camps. Their property then became part of the Soviet Union. Eventually, this was what happened to Lina, the main character, and her family because they were on a hit list. Lena started to worry …show more content…
Having an education meant you knew what was happening and why. It was a direct threat to Stalin and that was exactly what the list was for, the educated. That was why the Vilkas family was taken, Lena’s father worked at the university as a provost. He knew what was happening and wanted to save his family. Stalin created lists, that were given to the NKVD, of people to round up and send to camps. Even if you were a friend or neighbor of an educated person, you were at risk. Many people ratted people out or accused people of being educated to get them taken. At this time, there was a lack of trust amongst the peoples. Lena was told by the bald man that he turned them in, he was told to confirm people’s professions and her dad was one of the people he confirmed before refusing to confirm any more. Stalin wished to get rid of anyone who was against him, so they could not corrupt his supporters. Politically, this gained him more advocates because people did not what to be separated from their loved ones and die, and it caused people, like the bald man, to let the NKVD know who to
Stalin sent NKVD officers to purge homes, evacuate or arrest the “fascist scum”, the term for those who did not agree with Stalin, and board them onto cattle cars that were sent to labor camps. Their property then became part of the Soviet Union. Eventually, this was what happened to Lina, the main character, and her family because they were on a hit list. Lena started to worry …show more content…
Having an education meant you knew what was happening and why. It was a direct threat to Stalin and that was exactly what the list was for, the educated. That was why the Vilkas family was taken, Lena’s father worked at the university as a provost. He knew what was happening and wanted to save his family. Stalin created lists, that were given to the NKVD, of people to round up and send to camps. Even if you were a friend or neighbor of an educated person, you were at risk. Many people ratted people out or accused people of being educated to get them taken. At this time, there was a lack of trust amongst the peoples. Lena was told by the bald man that he turned them in, he was told to confirm people’s professions and her dad was one of the people he confirmed before refusing to confirm any more. Stalin wished to get rid of anyone who was against him, so they could not corrupt his supporters. Politically, this gained him more advocates because people did not what to be separated from their loved ones and die, and it caused people, like the bald man, to let the NKVD know who to