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77. 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
Alfred draws attention to the group by ushering other refugees out of the way and announcing the presence of his party. Florian spots a group of Nazi officials up ahead. He knows that if they discover him, it could lead to trouble, and so he takes Alfred aside and explains he is on a secret mission, which requires Alfred’s help and discretion. Buoyed with his new purpose, and Florian’s promise that he could receive a commendation medal, Alfred becomes more discreet. Alfred reveals he has extra, blank boarding passes stored away. Florian asks Alfred to bring those passes to the movie house later. Alfred breaks off to retrieve them, and Florian salutes him by saying “Heil Hitler, sailor.” Alfred responds in kind.
Alfred frequently engages in fantasies where he has some very important or very secret mission. Florian’s half-lie, that he is engaged in a secret mission (true) for the Nazi Party (false) perfectly exploits Alfred’s preexisting need to feel special. Although he has difficulty caring for others, Alfred is able to care for Florian because he knows doing so will potentially lead to him (Alfred) receiving some award, which will only further confirm his importance.
Themes
