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Chapter 39
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Between Shades of Gray, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice
Strength and Identity
The Power of Art
Genocide
Women and Mothers
Summary
Analysis
Back in the shack, Elena chastises Lina for resisting Andrius’ attempts at friendship. She notes that Kostas was quite clumsy in his courtship of her. Elena recalls that when trying to talk to her, Kostas fell out of a tree and broke his arm. Andrius’ overtures might not seem like he’s trying, but Elena thinks he is trying to express his feelings for Lina. Lina tries not to let Elena see her cry, as talking about her father makes her very sad.
Elena, observant as most mothers are, hints to Lina that Andrius has a crush on her, but is too immature to properly express his feelings for her. In this moment, the comment feels even worse to Lina given her fight with Andrius. This conversation about love and courtship makes Elena reminisce about her own love, Kostas, causing Lina to feel even worse.
Themes
In a flashback, Lina recalls feeling giddy after meeting the brother Joana had promised to introduce her to. Joana tells Lina that everyone could tell they had a great time dancing together. Both girls fall asleep feeling happy. The next day, however, they see the boy Lina had danced with with another girl. Lina had hoped to give him a drawing she had made. Instead she is heartbroken, rips up the drawing, and concludes that boys are idiots.
Lina’s fight with Andrius makes her recall the first time her heart was broken. Like most teenage girls, she quickly realizes that most teenage boys won’t live up to expectations—at least for a few years. She feels lost in this moment, since Joana has introduced her to the boy, and she had previously turned to her for firm guidance.
Themes
