The Orphan's Tale

In these chapters, the dynamic between Noa and Astrid transforms rapidly, evolving from a relationship of mentorship and rivalry into one of increasing trust and confidence. Initially, their bond is defined by the physical act of the trapeze, with Astrid as the catcher and Noa as the dependent flyer. The successful catch marks the beginning of a potential partnership, yet Astrid’s immediate push of Noa into the net below reasserts her dominance and is designed to force a confrontation over the truth of Theo’s identity. Astrid, herself living under a fabricated persona, instinctively recognizes the falsehood in Noa’s story and views this as a potential threat. The subsequent arrival of the SS officers and the revelation of Astrid’s Jewish heritage completely reorients their power structure. Suddenly, Astrid is the vulnerable one, and Noa becomes her protector. This shared secret erases their initial animosity, forging a bond of mutual survival that establishes the theme of The Strength of Found Family in the Face of Loss.

These chapters explore The Struggle to Survive Using False Identities, demonstrating how performance and deception become essential tools for navigating the totalitarian state. The circus community’s function as a microcosm for this reality is further developed in this section. Astrid’s existence as “Astrid Sorrell” is an adopted identity to conceal her Jewish heritage. Noa, too, relies on a facade, inventing a story about Theo to protect him and obscure her own past. The necessity of these deceptions is illustrated during the SS raid. Herr Neuhoff also engages in his own performance, deflecting the officers’ suspicions with feigned hospitality. His description of Noa—“Isn’t she wonderfully Aryan? The Führer’s own ideal” (88)—is a parody of Nazi ideology, disguising of his own principles. The constant threat of exposure forces the characters to blur the lines between their true selves and the roles they must play, creating a state of perpetual psychological tension. This episode shows that the sanctuary of the circus is precarious, while the border crossing into France and the presence of an SS officer in Thiers underscore the circus’s increased vulnerability.

The narrative structure, which continues to alternate between the first-person perspectives of Noa and Astrid, provides a nuanced exploration of their internal struggles and creates dramatic irony by sharing information that other characters cannot know. The dual point of view allows the reader access to the characters’ private fears, which often stand in contrast to their outward actions. In Chapter 7, the reader experiences Astrid’s anxieties about Noa’s readiness, a vulnerability she conceals beneath a demanding exterior in Chapter 8. Conversely, in Chapter 9, Noa’s perspective reveals her terror, which she masks with determination during the performance. This technique highlights the gap between internal reality and external performance, reinforcing the theme of The Struggle to Survive Using False Identities. This structure also deepens the emotional complexity of their developing relationship. The sharing of secrets, particularly Astrid’s admission that she still has feelings for her ex-husband because she loves “the people they were before, below all the awfulness” (138), is made more poignant because the reader has witnessed the internal journeys that led both women to this moment of shared vulnerability.

Across these chapters, the narrative explores numerous acts of Personal Sacrifice as a Form of Courage. Heroism is depicted not in grand gestures but in quiet, interpersonal acts of protection. Herr Neuhoff exemplifies this through his steadfast defiance. He risks his life and livelihood to shelter Astrid, bribes officials, and deflects the SS, all while maintaining the illusion of a compliant German circus. His courage is quiet and discreet, rooted in a sense of responsibility for his community. This is in contrast to Peter’s more overt public resistance. Peter’s refusal to perform a pro-Vichy anthem and his anti-Nazi routine, while principled, places him in more direct opposition to the authorities and sets up the narrative crisis of his arrest in Chapter 18. The ethical difficulties of these decisions are revealed through Noa’s and Astrid’s internal monologues, culminating in Noa’s decision to risk Astrid’s trust by warning Herr Neuhoff about the SS officer, a choice that prioritizes Astrid’s physical safety over their fragile bond. The narrative suggests that a commitment to preserve the lives and humanity of others is a significant means of resistance, although all moral choices come with their own consequences. This section therefore ends with uncertainty about the outcomes of Noa’s decision, though her motives are shown to be good.