Courage

Through the experiences of Lev, Kolya, and Vika this novel shows the beauty of courage and also the difficulties of maintaining it.

Lev's experiences show the easiness of having heroic dreams when in a safe environment, how quickly they can vanish when in a dangerous environment, and the possibility of them returning again. Early in the novel, Lev has heroic dreams and believes he is destined for greatness. However, when he goes to the prison and cannot endure the silence and darkness, he loses his belief in his own heroic destiny and believes that he will never be a hero. However, his belief in his heroic destiny resurfaces when the Germans approach the house where Lara, Galina, Nina, and Olesya are staying. After Lev tells him that this night is what he has been waiting for, Lev realizes: “I felt more awake than I ever had...