between shades of gray essay Sacrifice is the act of giving up something for another's benefit. Ruta Sepetys is the author of the novel, Between Shades of Gray, she creates historical fiction that contains many examples of sacrifice. This essay will focus on the various cases of sacrifice evident in each of the three sections of the novel entitled Thieves and Prostitutes, Maps and Snakes, and Ice and Ashes.
The theme of sacrifice is apparent early in the novel. During the end of chapter seven, the NKVD grab Jonas and plan to separate him from the group. Quickly, Elena pulls the NKVD officers aside and using her knowledge of the Russian language, offers him a pocket watch belonging to Kostas. This action brings Jonas back to the group. Lina …show more content…
As the Vilkas family continues to northern Siberia, conditions become tough and working for a small ration is difficult. During chapter 72, Elena gives up her sparse bread rations to Lina and Jonas. As their work becomes harder, Jonas and Lina notice that Elena “Seems weaker and confused.” This sparks Lina to ask Jonas if he has seen her eat recently, Jonas responds, “I think so,” and Lina tells him that “We’ve seen her nibble, but she’s always giving us bread, just yesterday she gave us bread. She said it was and additional ration she got for hauling logs.” (Sepetys 285) Lina knows her mother not to lie, but, realizes that she had lied for Jonas and herself to stay fed. Elena makes this choice as she is very selfless and gives up her final bits of life for her children's nourishment. Near the very end of the novel, it is finally stated why the Vilkas family was captured. The novel notes that a major character, Kostas Vilkas, makes the biggest sacrifice. He essentially gives up his family for the sake of his brother and their family. After Mr. Stalas bullies Lina into giving him a pair of mittens, he makes Lina aware of their escape to Germany. The fact that Elena did not tell Lina infuriates her. After coming back from working, Lina barges into the Jurta, steaming and exclaiming, “But why didn’t you tell you tell me?” questioning Elena. Elena answers, “We were trying to protect your uncle, they were going to help us.”(Sepetys 292) Elena explains the process of repatriating and Lina understands. This sacrifice is an important one as this is because it is the reason why the entire story of the novel is written. Lina shows carelessness after the passing of Elena. She walks to the NKVD barracks in attempt to steal wood for warmth. She is caught in the act and approached by Kretzsky. Kretzsky says, “You want to steal wood, Vilkas? Steal wood, davai.” (Sepetys 325-326)
The theme of sacrifice is apparent early in the novel. During the end of chapter seven, the NKVD grab Jonas and plan to separate him from the group. Quickly, Elena pulls the NKVD officers aside and using her knowledge of the Russian language, offers him a pocket watch belonging to Kostas. This action brings Jonas back to the group. Lina …show more content…
As the Vilkas family continues to northern Siberia, conditions become tough and working for a small ration is difficult. During chapter 72, Elena gives up her sparse bread rations to Lina and Jonas. As their work becomes harder, Jonas and Lina notice that Elena “Seems weaker and confused.” This sparks Lina to ask Jonas if he has seen her eat recently, Jonas responds, “I think so,” and Lina tells him that “We’ve seen her nibble, but she’s always giving us bread, just yesterday she gave us bread. She said it was and additional ration she got for hauling logs.” (Sepetys 285) Lina knows her mother not to lie, but, realizes that she had lied for Jonas and herself to stay fed. Elena makes this choice as she is very selfless and gives up her final bits of life for her children's nourishment. Near the very end of the novel, it is finally stated why the Vilkas family was captured. The novel notes that a major character, Kostas Vilkas, makes the biggest sacrifice. He essentially gives up his family for the sake of his brother and their family. After Mr. Stalas bullies Lina into giving him a pair of mittens, he makes Lina aware of their escape to Germany. The fact that Elena did not tell Lina infuriates her. After coming back from working, Lina barges into the Jurta, steaming and exclaiming, “But why didn’t you tell you tell me?” questioning Elena. Elena answers, “We were trying to protect your uncle, they were going to help us.”(Sepetys 292) Elena explains the process of repatriating and Lina understands. This sacrifice is an important one as this is because it is the reason why the entire story of the novel is written. Lina shows carelessness after the passing of Elena. She walks to the NKVD barracks in attempt to steal wood for warmth. She is caught in the act and approached by Kretzsky. Kretzsky says, “You want to steal wood, Vilkas? Steal wood, davai.” (Sepetys 325-326)