Letters

Letters are exchanged between Elsie and Hazel while Elsie is at home and Hazel is away with the Lebensborn Program. While Hazel encourages Elsie toward Nazism and marriage with Josef, Elsie speaks about her uncertainty and unenthusiastic regard for Nazism. The letters demonstrate that not all Germans are enthusiastic Nazis.

Elsie and Josef's engagement ring

Elsie and Josef’s engagement ring symbolizes deception and irony. The ring reads in Hebrew, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine,” a quote from the Torah. The ring was stolen from a Jewish couple who gave their love and lives freely to one another. In turn, they had their lives and love stolen by the Nazis. The ring is given to Elsie by Josef, though Elsie does not envision love or life with Josef. The stolen ring also symbolizes the absolute cruelty of Nazism.

Giving up Josef's engagement ring