It was easy for me to believe that with such a powerful guardian, Poland would never fall.
-- Irena (Part One, Lilac Time paragraph 35)

Importance: Irena had been raised with a strong Catholic background. She believed that with the Madonna, the Virgin Mary, and her Child, Jesus Christ, watching over them and protecting them, Poland would never fall to the Nazis.

In my fantasies, I was always caught up in heroic struggles, and I saw myself saving lives, sacrificing myself for others. I had far loftier ambitions than mere romance.
-- Irena (Part One, Before the Storm paragraph 6)

Importance: Even as a child, Irena saw herself as dedicating her life to helping and saving others. She was not interested in having boyfriends, and felt she was much less attractive than her sisters, so she dedicated herself to work and study. It is almost chilling how correct Irena’s aspirations for herself as a young girl turned out be.

My family was in the west. Kozłowa G...
-- Irena (Part One, The Lightening War paragraph 13)