37 pages • 1-hour read
I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937
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Themes
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of graphic violence and serious illness.
Acting Courageously in the Face of Fear
In I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937, courage is defined not as the absence of fear, but as the choice to act for others despite being terrified. The narrative traces Hugo Ballard’s development from a boy consumed by anxiety to a young hero who confronts grave dangers. Through his journey, the novel shows that bravery can be a conscious decision rooted in love and a sense of responsibility for others. Hugo’s actions illustrate that courage is found in moments of deliberate choice, when the impulse to protect a loved one overrides personal fear.
Initially, Hugo is characterized by his deep-seated worries. He is anxious about his younger sister Gertie’s life-threatening illness and intimidated by the menacing presence of Nazi soldiers aboard the airship. His fear is palpable, yet his love for his sister motivates his first significant act of bravery. When Gertie, weak with fever, whimpers for her dog, Hugo makes the choice to sneak into the forbidden cargo area to retrieve Panya. He knowingly breaks the rules and risks punishment, demonstrating that his commitment to his sister’s well-being is stronger than his fear of authority.
This initial act of courage prepares Hugo for a far more dangerous confrontation. When he witnesses Mr. Singer, the spy, about to be captured by the ruthless Colonel Kohl, Hugo is paralyzed by a terror he describes as a “wave of fear” (61). However, instead of succumbing to this feeling, he makes a calculated decision to intervene. Recalling a story about a clever animal, he creates a distraction, placing himself directly in the path of the armed Nazi officer. He lies to protect Mr. Singer, facing down the man his sister identified as a “big cobra” (32). This moment marks the culmination of his growth, as he channels his fear into a heroic act to save another person. By showing Hugo’s internal struggle and subsequent choice to act, the novel suggests that anyone, even a frightened child, can be courageous when motivated by a commitment to what is right.
The Protective Power of Family Bonds
The narrative of I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937, centers the family unit as the ultimate source of motivation and resilience in a dangerous world. The novel posits that the protective power of familial love compels individuals to undertake extraordinary risks and endure hardships at their own peril. The Ballard family’s journey is framed as a desperate mission to save its youngest member, Gertie, demonstrating that these intimate bonds provide the strength necessary to navigate and survive life-threatening circumstances.
The plot is set in motion by Gertie’s severe case of malaria. Their journey from their home in Kenya to doctors in Germany and, finally, to America aboard the Hindenburg is a undertaking driven by the need “to save Gertie’s life” (15). This mission shapes every decision. The parents consistently model protective behavior, with Dad attempting to soothe Mom’s anxieties about flying and both adults working to shield the children from the political tensions aboard the airship. Their actions create a foundation of security that enables the children to cope with the unsettling environment. The family operates as a cohesive unit, drawing strength from their shared commitment to one another’s safety and wellbeing.
This theme of protection is further developed through Hugo’s deep sense of responsibility for his younger sister. He consistently acts as her primary caregiver and comforter, distracting her from her fears and tending to her when she is ill. Hugo’s love for Gertie compels him to perform his most courageous acts, from retrieving her dog from the cargo hold to facing down a Nazi officer. This protective instinct is shown to be reciprocal during the disaster itself. After the Hindenburg explodes, Hugo’s father stays behind in the inferno, and “rushed through the burning zeppelin calling Hugo’s name” (87) until he is dragged away to safety. Hugo’s first instinct during the disaster is to look for his family members, and Mr. Singer has to urge him to focus on saving himself. The family’s eventual reunion at the hospital symbolizes the power of their protective bonds that motivated them to fight for one another.
Childhood Innocence as a Moral Compass
I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937, uses the perspective of its child characters to offer a clear-eyed judgment of the adult world’s moral complexities. The story suggests that childhood innocence is an innate moral compass that cuts through deception to identify good and evil. Through Gertie’s unfiltered observations and Hugo’s adolescent conscience, the narrative filters complex historical dangers through a lens of simple, intuitive morality.
The theme is most clearly embodied in Gertie’s game of comparing people to animals, a seemingly childish habit that functions as an accurate barometer of character. While her comparisons of fellow passengers to an “ostrich” or a “walrus” are harmlessly astute, the game takes on a serious dimension when she encounters the Nazi officer, Colonel Kohl. Her public declaration that “That man looks like a big cobra!” (32) serves as a pure, instinctual judgment. Gertie’s innocent observation bypasses the political nuances of the era and identifies Kohl for what he represents: a deadly and predatory threat. This moment provides an unambiguous moral anchor for the reader, affirming Hugo’s own feelings of unease and establishing Kohl as a clear antagonist.
The narrative is presented through Hugo’s point of view, which frames the political complexities of espionage in terms of personal loyalty. His friendship with Marty solidifies his trust in her father, Mr. Singer. When Hugo discovers that Mr. Singer is a spy, his decision to help him is not driven by a sophisticated understanding of geopolitics but by a heartfelt allegiance. He trusts the kind man who is his friend’s father, and this trust guides him to act against Kohl, whom Hugo senses has ill intent. By focusing on Hugo’s personal loyalties, the story links a high-stakes political plot to a character-driven moral drama. The author uses these innocent perspectives to strip away the facades of adult behavior, suggesting that a child’s uncomplicated sense of right and wrong can offer moral clarity.
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