Importance of Aishe

Aishe is a Gypsy girl that Jozef meets after he is freed from prison. He saves her from sexual abuse by two Austrian soldiers and helps her find her way to an abandoned house so she can have her baby. At this stage in the story, Jozef is sad and lonely and doesn't understand what purpose hie life may have. He attaches himself to her, hoping to help her have the baby and later, to help her raise the infant. Aishe provides a place for him, which is desperately needs. However, she dies in childbirth, killing his purpose.