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66. 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
Florian is shocked by the military presence in the port, as well as by the tragic scenes playing out on each street. Still, even with the disorder of the refugees, the German military is organized and efficient. Florian knows Nazi officials and their families will be allowed to board first. Then injured soldiers, military personnel, women and children. Florian knows that as a young single man he won’t be allowed at all. He thinks he might have to ask Joana for help, and reveal another secret in exchange for her assistance.
Each individual’s identity and identification papers will determine whether or not they will be allowed to board a ship, and as a result, whether they will survive if the Allied forces invade the port. Because Florian is a young man who is of age to be in the military, he will be denied entrance on the grounds that he should be fighting and serving his country, not fleeing.
Themes
