Chapter Two Summary

Rolf Carle is born, the youngest son of Lukas Carle. Lukas is a horrible man, who terrorizes his family. Rolf's mother is often mentally tortured, being forced to parade around in red high heeled boots and nothing else when her husband wishes. Rolf's older siblings are Jochen, a weak young man in his father's eyes, and Katherina, a girl, unworthy because of a heart defect and mental retardation.

Life improves for the Carle family when Lukas goes to war. Despite the war around them the family is happy, relieved of the domineering presence of Lukas. Things change on the day that the Russian soldiers that have been living in the town herd all of the townspeople to the prison camp. On this day , they became aware of what was within the walls and fences. The soldiers order all that are capable...