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76. Joana
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
Emilia sees Joana leave to help the soldiers and wonders, “Why did everyone leave me?” Still, she recognizes Joana was chosen for a special task. As she walks with Alfred and the rest of the group, she notices him kick a stray dog. She immediately distrusts him.
Emilia is kind and gentle, and does her best to treat everyone well. Alfred, meanwhile, is selfish and cruel, and makes no effort to treat anyone with any decency unless he thinks he can somehow benefit.
Themes
Emilia thinks back to when her father dropped her off at the Kleist family farm. Her father asked Mr. Kleist to “protect her, take care of her, love her like your own.” In the end, Emilia remembers, Else, August, and Martin all welcomed her, but Mrs. Kleist did not.
Only three members of the Kleist family were able to open their hearts to Emilia and see her as a member of their family. Her ominous tone suggests that Mrs. Kleist’s rejection of her resulted in some tragedy later on.
Themes
