Mr. Stozek Character Analysis in Salt to the Sea

Emilia’s father. A Polish academic and mathematician opposed to the Nazi’s treatment of Polish people, especially Polish children, whom they intended to deprive of an education. During the invasion of Poland by Soviet forces, he sends Emilia to live with the Kleist family in hopes that they will be able to keep her safe. Some time later, Erna Kleist callously informs Emilia that her father is dead.

Mr. Stozek Character Timeline in Salt to the Sea

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Stozek appears in Salt to the Sea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Family and Community vs. Selfishness Theme Icon

Emilia’s father was an academic, and disagreed with this massive disenfranchisement of Polish children. Although all books... (full context)

...a boy named August’s child. He lived on a farm owned by family friends, where her father sent her for safety. She is on her way to meet him, and begins to... (full context)

...stuck in her teeth from preserves taken from the manor house. These remind her of her father , and collecting berries for him as a child. Her mind then shifts to the... (full context)

...Copernicus. Emilia is reminded of the phrase “Per aspara ad astra,” taught to her by her father , which means “through hardship to the stars.” (full context)

...the city. Emilia considers how she no longer has any possessions. She thinks back to her father who once told her “you’re all I have” after her mother died. (full context)

...Kleist family farm, and how she had to pretend she was not upset to leave her father . She remarks, “I became good at pretending,” so good that “sometimes, when I did... (full context)

Emilia thinks back to when her father dropped her off at the Kleist family farm. Her father asked Mr. Kleist to “protect... (full context)

...cost to take care of Emilia over the past four years, and she remembers saying her father would return and pay the Kleists back, only to be told by Mrs. Kleist that... (full context)