The German Wife

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, child death, mental illness, racism, and religious discrimination.

“When I decided to make the journey to join my husband in America, segregation was one of a million worries I consciously put off for later. Now, faced with the stark reality of it, I dreaded the discussions I’d be having with my children once we had enough rest for productive conversation.”

This passage shows the clear connection between American segregation and German Nazi antisemitism. Additionally, this passage highlights Sofie’s focus on family and her commitment to teaching her children about world events and tolerance, which demonstrates the changes she’s made due to her experiences.

“My family accepted it was a problem that could not be solved. But in the depth of that night, I considered the same situation and decided it didn’t have to be a problem at all.”

This introductory characterization of Lizzie demonstrates her willingness to be unconventional. Although her family insists the problem with the cows is just how things are, Lizzie rejects the status quo and looks for her own solution. This passage shows her original thought and independence, which will eventually lead her back to the farm she loves.

“Every now and again, I remembered the jubilation I felt the day he came home after the war. It once seemed a miracle that he’d returned physically unscathed. But after five years of ups and downs, it was clear that while Henry’s body was intact, his mind wasn’t. I also knew exactly who was to blame. And I was about to go drink champagne and nibble on sandwiches with a group of them, on a lawn at the Redstone Arsenal facility.”

Here, Lizzie’s anger at the German immigrants is directly tied to The Impact of War on Family. Henry’s trauma and mental health condition have changed him in the wake of his experiences in Germany in WWII. This passage additionally shows Lizzie’s desire to look for a singular antagonist to blame for Henry’s problems, a tendency that drives events throughout the novel.