34 pages • 1-hour read
Resist: A Story of D-Day
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Themes
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse and death.
Resilience and Resistance Against Oppression
Throughout the story, resilience and resistance against oppression are central to Samira’s character and the entire underground movement, particularly in the context of Samira’s struggle to survive and her desire to save her mother. One of the key instances of resistance occurs when Samira, who has witnessed the German occupation of France, takes on an active role in resisting the enemy. Her resistance manifests through small acts of defiance and intelligence rather than force.
For instance, she tricks Nazi soldiers into leaving their prisoners by using her wit: “It […] worked! Samira [grins] from ear to ear. [She got] one of the Nazi soldiers to leave the prisoners!” (51). This moment showcases her cleverness and determination, reflecting how even younger individuals can contribute to larger resistance efforts. Resistance is evident in the way Samira navigates her world. Even when she faces overwhelming circumstances, such as being surrounded by Nazi soldiers or the possibility of her own death, she continually finds ways to survive and resist. This resilience is portrayed as not only an individual trait but also a collective effort. Samira recognizes that resistance isn’t always about grand acts but often involves small, strategic efforts that together contribute to the larger fight for freedom.
Samira’s mother, Kenza, embodies a more obvious form of resistance through her actions during the occupation. Kenza joins the French Resistance, moving to Normandy with Samira after her husband is killed. She refuses to kill a Nazi soldier and instead ties him up, saying, “If we kill him now, we’d be no better” (57), showing that war is morally complex. Kenza’s ability to act as both a protector and a resistor emphasizes the importance of individual choices in the larger war effort, showing how even small acts of defiance can collectively have a major impact.
The Resistance movement is pivotal to the story’s central conflict. The Allied forces, which Samira hopes will lead to the end of the war, symbolize the collective resistance to Nazi oppression. The story communicates how civilians, particularly those like Samira and her mother, embody this resistance in ways that traditional historical accounts often overlook. Their resilience demonstrates strength and endurance when confronting an enemy much larger than oneself.
Hope and Persistence in the Face of Crisis
The ideas of hope and persistence are important to the story, especially in Samira’s journey to save her mother. Throughout the novel, Samira faces enormous challenges, yet the hope that her mother is alive pushes her forward.
The text highlights the impact of Samira’s hope when her mother tells her, “No one of them saved us, but each of them, in their own way, […] did the jobs they were supposed to do, which allowed you to do your job: rescue me and all these people. You’re a hero, Samira Zidane, and I’m proud of you” (58-59). In saying this, Kenza communicates the idea that hope isn’t always about immediate victory but about each person doing their part, which eventually leads to collective success. Samira’s persistence in the face of overwhelming odds, including her mother’s captivity, the Nazi occupation, and the uncertainty surrounding the war, shows that hope persists despite dire circumstances.
Samira’s ability to lean into hope to persist is also apparent in her relationship with her mother. Samira’s hope links to her belief in her mother’s bravery and survival, and the realization that she must act to rescue her: “Kenza Zidane was the bravest person Samira knew. And now Samira had to rely on her own bravery to save her mother’s life, the way her mother had saved so many others” (21). Samira is motivated not only by her desire to save her mother but also by the example of her mother’s courage. This connection between mother and daughter demonstrates hope and bravery as traits that pass down through the generations.
Despite the chaos and seemingly insurmountable odds of Samira’s situation, her persistence to continue fighting for survival and her mother’s safety reflects the hope that drives human nature in times of crisis. Samira’s actions, from tricking Nazi soldiers to helping the Resistance, are driven by the belief that change is possible, no matter how small the action might seem. Her hope is a form of resistance that motivates her to carry on. Even in moments when she feels that time is running out or like she might collapse from exhaustion, her faith that things can change keeps her moving forward. The persistence of people like Samira and her mother reflects the broader idea of hope as a guiding force in the face of oppression, suggesting that hope must be actively encouraged, even in the most horrific circumstances.
The Impact of War on Civilians
War has profound effects on civilians, which the text explores through the experiences of Samira, her mother, and others living under Nazi occupation. Civilians are often caught amid military conflict and must make impossible decisions and endure extreme suffering and loss. Samira’s journey provides a personal lens through which the book reveals the impact of war on ordinary lives. In one crucial moment, Samira recalls the shock of seeing her mother as a prisoner:
And then, halfway back in the line of prisoners, Samira saw her mother. Kenza Zidane. She still wore a tan raincoat over her blue dress, and she held her back straight and her head up high. But Samira knew her mother. Knew she was tired, and afraid. Samira’s heart stopped (44).
This scene emphasizes the emotional toll of war, as Samira witnesses her mother’s resilience but also recognizes the fear and exhaustion that war brings along with the ever-present possibility of death.
The depiction of civilians in wartime emphasizes the physical and emotional scars left by conflict. Samira’s fear and uncertainty mirror the experiences of many civilians during World War II, who faced the daily threat of violence and the loss of loved ones. The emotional impact of seeing her mother reveals the deep psychological effects of war on those who survive it. War destroys not only civilians’ physical safety but also their sense of identity and security. Additionally, they’re forced to adapt to a world where everything they once knew has changed. Living under Nazi occupation meant curfews, strict rules about religious practice, and the threat of death if one chose to protest. Samira must navigate a world in which her every decision could be life-or-death, as is evident when she faces the prospect of her mother being shot: “If the Allies weren’t really invading this part of Normandy, the Nazis in Bayeux wouldn’t be distracted in the morning, and her mother and all the other prisoners would be shot at dawn” (17). Such is the reality for vulnerable civilians in war zones.
Samira’s internal conflict demonstrates how far she’s willing to go to save her mother: “I will attack them with my knife if I have to, Samira thought. It was suicide. She would be shot before she could do any real damage. But she would try” (45). This illustrates the extreme conditions that civilians face, forcing them to weigh their survival against helping those they love. Samira’s experiences and her wish for a normal life demonstrate the loss of innocence that comes with war, as even young people like Samira are forced to confront violence and death in order to protect those they love.
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