Character Analysis of Riva from The Cage by Ruth Minsky Sender

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Recommended: Effects of the Holocaust on survivors

1. Riva was truly a “smart owl” she found different ways to keep her and her brothers alive, and out of harm’s way. For instance, she managed to get herself off the Nazi deportation record that was made every week. Riva did this by making friends with the work manager who was forced to make the deportation list. Riva realized that if she kept on worrying about what is going to happen in the future it would be depressing; instead she thought about when she was going to be reunited with her family. *******FINISH*********** 2. Riva was forever grateful of all the magnificent friends she had and the unique treatment she received at Mittlesteine. While Riva was at Mittelsteine she got blood poisoning, and the doctor at the camp negotiated for Riva to be sent to a trained hospital where she was treated of her contamination. Riva was too fragile to work, so she instead worked at the first aid station for German soldiers rolling gauze pads into bundles. Riva also got additional helpings of food (mashed potatoes and vegetables) that was sneaked in for her by a nurse, and the nurse let her have a hot bath for the first time since she left her home. Riva also had many friends in the Łódź Ghetto that looked out for her well being such as Mr. and Mrs. Berkenwald, who acted as Riva and her brother’s parents. They would save their servings of food, wood, and water for the kids because they knew they were vital for their daily life. 3. Riva was extremely loving toward the people that were in her life. For example when her little brothers bartered their weeks worth of bread for a tangerine to make her feel better she replied, “We’ll share, or I will not eat. I mean it” (Page 43) Riva cared so much about her brothers that she did not eat the foo... ... middle of paper ... ...would probably shoot one right on the spot. Riva was extremely quiet and calm her behavior did not angry most Nazi soldiers. Many of the soldiers didn’t care if Riva was calm or aggressive and whipped Riva most of the time. Riva did not want to kill all the Nazis instead she just wanted peace, but other Jews would kill the Nazis if they had the chance. Riva’s nonviolent action was a key part of her survival in the labor camps. 8. Riva’s artistic side helped her go through the Holocaust with at least some entertainment. Riva’s specialty was poetry; poetry even saved her life when she was sent to a hospital because she needed to be kept alive for her poetry. Riva’s poetry helped the girl’s morale that made them want to work hard, so they can get out of the labor camp. This artistic trait made Riva unique and made her stand out from the rest of the girls in her camps.

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