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Chapter 21
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Milkweed, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity and Relationships
War, Dehumanization, and Innocence
Ingenuity, Resilience, and Survival
Family
Summary
Analysis
The other boys tease Misha as “the family man” because he’s started sleeping at the Milgroms’ place sometimes. Misha no longer thinks about the story Uri told him about his past. He always knew deep down that the story of the wagon caravan and Greta the speckled mare wasn’t true, and he doesn’t miss it. He stops calling himself Pilsudski and goes by Milgrom instead. He also keeps the yellow stone he wears around his neck, sensing it’s true that this was a gift from his father.
By this time, all the orphan boys spend their nights smuggling. Early one morning, as they lounge around sharing a cigar, they discuss the rumor that Himmler is visiting the ghetto soon. Kuba explains to Misha that Himmler is the Nazis’ second-in-command. Later that day, Misha shares this news with the Milgroms. Janina says she’s going to kick Himmler.
Under the Nazi regime, Heinrich Himmler was in charge of planning and implementing Europe’s ghettos, concentration camps, and extermination of the Jews and other minorities.
Themes
Mrs. Milgrom has become very sick and weak, and she no longer works during the day. Uncle Shepsel resents it whenever Misha shows up without food, but Mr. Milgrom is kind to him, always affectionately touching Misha’s head or shoulder when he talks to him. Today, he tells Misha that he’s a good boy. When Janina protests, Mr. Milgrom says that they’re both wonderful in their own way, and he can’t choose between them.
Though not all members of the Milgrom family warm up to Misha—Mrs. Milgrom is too sick, and Uncle Shepsel only looks out for himself—Misha thrives under Mr. Milgrom’s fatherly attentions. It’s significant that Mr. Milgrom says he can’t choose between Misha and Janina, as this suggests that he doesn’t view Misha any differently than he would a biological son. This is the first time that Misha known this kind of consistent care and affection.
Themes
