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Jonas Vilkas
Kostas is Lina and Jonas’ father, and a professor at the local university. Though he is only seen in one episode throughout the novel, Lina often reminisces of good times she had with her father, who was loving and supportive of her artistic talents. Elena, Lina, and Jonas grieve deeply over their separation from Kostas, as able-bodied men were sent to different locations from women, children, and the infirm. Kostas’ brief words to Lina when she discovers him through the hole in a train car give her hope and inspiration throughout the most difficult of times in the labor camps. Kostas and his colleagues engaged in secret meetings where they discussed the impending political climate due to the Soviet annexation of the Baltic states. These meetings reveal Kostas’ commitment to freedom and revolution against totalitarianism. However, when Lina exhibits similarly negative sentiments towards the Soviets, Kostas becomes angry and implores her to keep her opinions to herself for her own safety. Despite his revolutionary politics, Kostas’ commitment is first and foremost to the safety of his family.
Kostas Vilkas Quotes in Between Shades of Gray
The Between Shades of Gray quotes below are all either spoken by Kostas Vilkas or refer to Kostas Vilkas. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 2
Quotes
“But what did you do?” I asked him.
“Nothing, Lina. Have you finished your homework?”
“But you must have done something to deserve free bread,” I pressed.
“I don’t deserve anything. You stand for what is right, Lina, without the expectation of gratitude or reward. Now, off to your homework.”
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Chapter 11
Quotes
“You’re very brave to have come. You must all stay together. I know you’ll take good care of your sister and mother while I am away.”
“I will, Papa, I promise,” said Jonas. “When will we see you?”
Papa paused. “I don’t know. Hopefully soon.”
I clutched the bundle of clothes. Tears began dropping down my cheeks.
“Don’t cry, Lina. Courage,” said Papa. “You can help me.”
“Do you understand?” My father looked at Andrius, hesitant. “You can help me find you,” he whispered. “I’ll know it’s you…just like you know Munch. But you must be very careful.”
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Chapter 22
Quotes
The man who wound his watch approached me.
“Do you have a handkerchief I could borrow?” he asked.
I nodded and quickly handed him the hankie, neatly folded to conceal my writing…The man patted his brow with the handkerchief before putting it in his pocket. Pass it along, I thought, imagining the hankie traveling hand to hand until it reached Papa.
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Kostas Vilkas Quotes in Between Shades of Gray
The Between Shades of Gray quotes below are all either spoken by Kostas Vilkas or refer to Kostas Vilkas. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 2
Quotes
“But what did you do?” I asked him.
“Nothing, Lina. Have you finished your homework?”
“But you must have done something to deserve free bread,” I pressed.
“I don’t deserve anything. You stand for what is right, Lina, without the expectation of gratitude or reward. Now, off to your homework.”
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11
Quotes
“You’re very brave to have come. You must all stay together. I know you’ll take good care of your sister and mother while I am away.”
“I will, Papa, I promise,” said Jonas. “When will we see you?”
Papa paused. “I don’t know. Hopefully soon.”
I clutched the bundle of clothes. Tears began dropping down my cheeks.
“Don’t cry, Lina. Courage,” said Papa. “You can help me.”
“Do you understand?” My father looked at Andrius, hesitant. “You can help me find you,” he whispered. “I’ll know it’s you…just like you know Munch. But you must be very careful.”
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Chapter 22
Quotes
The man who wound his watch approached me.
“Do you have a handkerchief I could borrow?” he asked.
I nodded and quickly handed him the hankie, neatly folded to conceal my writing…The man patted his brow with the handkerchief before putting it in his pocket. Pass it along, I thought, imagining the hankie traveling hand to hand until it reached Papa.
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