Part 2: Chapters 5 and 6 Summary and Analysis

Gerda begins receiving daily letters from Abek, many of them with romantic allusions. He forwards photos he found left behind in the Weissmann's abandoned Bielitz apartment. He also reluctantly forwards a letter her father had sent via Abek some time before. Gerda could see why he did not want to send her the letter—the handwriting was so weak compared to his healthy hand that Gerda takes it as an ominous sign.

Gerda continues to get letters from Abek and receives a large carton of clothes from him at Christmas. Gerda becomes ill and unable to work. However, one day Frau Kugler makes her get up and sit at her work station. The dreaded SS Officer Lindner walks through the factory. He is the one who sends the sick Jews to their death at Auschwitz. Only...