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100. Emilia
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Salt to the Sea, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Agency, Willpower, and Fate
Storytelling and Fantasy
Memory and Survival
Family and Community vs. Selfishness
Summary
Analysis
Joana can barely understand what Emilia, “gripped with pain and terror” is saying in a mixture of German and Polish. She screams variations of “Liar. Liar. Help me, Mama!” to which Joana is unable to respond.
Emilia feels guilty that she has lied about what has happened to her, and also feels guilty about her pregnancy. In this moment, because she feels certain she is going to die, she tries to reveal the truth behind her fantasy life.
Themes
Alfred comes into the infirmary and Joana sends him to get Dr. Richter. However, the doctor does not come quickly enough and so Joana must deliver the child alone. Emilia pushes her baby, “a perfect little bird,” into Joana’s waiting arms.
Emilia often uses storks as a stand-in for family and home. That her baby is described as a “bird” suggests that Emilia’s child can help her create a new family and a home somewhere new.
Themes
