The radio

The radio represents the power of stories. Although it does not exist, simply believing that the radio exists and that Jacob has access to it gives the ghetto’s population the hope to go on in spite of their horrific circumstances. This demonstrates that stories are integral in giving people hope.

Trees

Trees represent the whims of fate. The narrator constantly thinks about trees, remembering that they were where he was hit by a boar and where his wife was killed, both events which altered his life greatly. Both are events of happenstance which relate back to destiny. Trees being removed from the ghetto acts to represent Jews’ control over their own fate being removed.

Potato pancakes

Jacob’s potato pancakes represent the world as it used to be. Before the war began, Jacob’s main worry was how he would afford the potatoes needed...