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The Policeman
The Yellow Star
Like other Jewish families living during the Holocaust, Sarah Starzynski and her parents are forced to wear yellow stars on their clothing. (At four years old Michel is too young to wear a star.) Initially…
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The Key
On the night of the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, Sarah locks Michel into the secret cupboard in their bedroom to hide him from the French police. Not understanding the stakes of the roundup, Sarah vows to…
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Hands
As one might expect, hands and handholding represent intimacy and connection in Sarah’s Key. Although the symbolism here is simple, this image is moving given the intense loneliness and longing for connection that both…
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Dust
Dust pervades the novel. Sarah and her parents spend days imprisoned in the stinking heat of the Vélodrome d’Hiver, where “dry, feathery dust” threatens to choke Sarah. After being transported out of Paris to Beaune-la-Rolande…
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