Fear and Denial: Werner's Internal Struggle

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Throughout what we have read, one of the most prominent themes that accompany Werner's view of the story is fear. Deep down Werner knows that what he's doing is wrong, what they're teaching him in that academy is wrong, even his sister, Jutta, and his friend Frederick, have warned him that what they're doing is wrong. Yet he still refuses to acknowledge the fact that they may be correct. Frederick has spoken up against many doings bravely, without hesitation. Such as when the Russian prisoner was strapped against a pole in the freezing weather and had each and every student throw a bucket of water on him. Come Frederick's turn, he refuses, dumping the water on the ground a total of three times, "I will not." (Page 227) he says. He speaks up when something isn't right, very much unlike Werner. Werner is afraid of what could happen to him had he done the same in any other situation. Frederick was beaten nearly to death because he spoke up, what could happen to Werner? The fear is what holds him back. The denial. When Frederick had invited Werner over to …show more content…

Another example of the contrast happens between Etienne and Madame Manec, where Madame wants to fight back and rebel but in subtle ways so as to not get caught so easily. But Etienne is against it at first, thinking it's ridiculous and dangerous, and he is correct; but is it truly better to sit back and do nothing at all knowing that what is happening is completely and utterly wrong? Madame Manec says two very inspiring things that effect Marie-Laure herself later on. The first coming from the section "The Frog Cooks", which is a perfect metaphor for the current situation the French are in. "... But do you know what happens when you put the frog in a pot of cool water and then slowly bring it to a boil? ... The frog

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