Music, singing, and the power of lyrics to connect to or express deep emotion recur throughout the story. Which of these moments made the strongest impression on you? Are there songs or poems that deeply connect you to key moments in your life, to your sense of beauty, or to your feelings about your home or country?
I cringed when I read about Nina’s breaking into what I assume was the German national anthem. She simply didn’t think of the ramifications of that act. That was doomsday for her and her family. I understand her impulse, and as Kim says, music has the power to connect deep emotion, but it wasn’t an emotion the guards wanted to hear.
I enjoyed hearing about the younger son’s musical ability as well. It’s not a surprise that he wanted to study in Germany.
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@Linda_Hunter right?!? I couldn’t believe Nina thought it was a good time to break into Deutschland, Deutschland, uber alles.
I agree with Kim, obviously, but I can also see her need to affirm something positive about Germany, and of course, her family joined in!
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Music is a powerful means of protest or support regardless of which side is singing. Recall the rallies of our most historic wars from preRevolutionary to many tunes about Vietnam. “What are we fighting for?” or Ballad of the Green Beret. Nina’s timing was unfortunate. I don’t think she sang to support the current actions of Germany, but rather she felt a stirring in her heart of what had been, what she recalled about her Homeland. Bittersweet memories, but her action moved the story forward to the inevitable internment. Perhaps that’s why the author had Nina sing.
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Yikes, I couldn’t believe Nina did that. But I do agree she didn’t mean it as an attack against America or in support of the current German politics, but of her homeland, and the Germany she knew. But what timing!
Music and the arts are strong political forces. In fact, artists have often been the first to identify when there have been actions that are not being reported. Years ago, I visited an exhibit about politics and it had several 1939 radios from Germany. It seems Hitler provided very inexpensive radios to the masses because he wanted a method for everyone to hear his speeches but also so he could use music to unite everyone.
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I was impressed with how powerfully the Aust family and Hugh were touched by music. The nights of singing in their restaurant and Hugh and Gerhard practicing at their home were part of their everyday life. Obviously, some of them were musically gifted. While they were separated, Hugh continued to write music and Gerhard wrote poems that could become songs. I hope that Gerhard was able to sing again.