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90. Florian
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 narrates another letter to Hannelore. He reminds her that the Wilhelm Gustloff was built as a leisure vessel for the everyman, and soon it will carry all sorts of people. Alfred explains sees himself as a hero and explains to Hannelore that, “to be a hero requires difficult choices and sacrifice.” He feels he will soon be called upon to participate in some greater cause.
Alfred continues to retreat into his fantasies in which he has cast himself as a hero midway through some epic journey. This sense of his own importance has only been reinforced by Florian’s lie that he is on a secret spy mission and needs Alfred’s help.
Themes
