The novel, The Berlin Boxing Club, exhibits the theme that fear can be a highly motivating force, demonstrated through the difficult conflict throughout the story. One of the most notable conflicts where the theme is presented is when Karl attacks the Gestapo agents who are mercilessly beating his father. Karl is faced with a tough dilemma and stands dumbstruck as he watches his father defend himself against the agents. A passage from the book states, “ I ran at them with my mop handle and tried to beat them away from my father, who was now on the bottom of the pile” (340). Naturally, Karl attacked back out of fear, not wanting to see his father get battered any worse than he already was. Motivated by fear, Karl puts himself in grave danger
