The Second World War
The war is rolling towards Berlin. What was yesterday a distant rumble has now become “a constant roar”. Soldiers and German hostages “breathe the din; their ears are deafened” to all but the heaviest guns. They are “ringed in by barrels”, and the circle is growing smaller by the hour. In the occupied Berlin, everything is “ruined. Bright flashes, a fiery sky and light from a fire” are visible at night. The image of the war gives an impression of the most terrible times in the history of humankind.
Peaceful spring
During the war after the winter, suddenly “comes the spring”. Sometimes the hours of sinister silence disappear and “birds sing”. The fiery black ruins of the settlements are invaded by “the scent of lilac from the gardens. The acacia stump is foaming over with green”. Only birds do not trust this April; feeling the danger, they immediately leave Berlin. The image of the spring gives an impression of the peaceful and relaxing life. It feels like the war is over and complete harmony has come.
Sense of danger
During the bombing, “the walls are shaking”. Marta’s “fingers are still trembling” as she holds her pen. She is “covered in sweat as if from hard labor”. The symptoms of fear are always the same. First, “the sweat beads up” around Marta’s hairline, then she feels something boring into her spine, her throat gets scratchy, “her mouth goes dry and her heart starts to skip”. The image of Marta’s behavior gives an impression of the war’s danger and its negative impact on health.
