Marianne von Lingenfels

Marianne von Lingenfels is one of the three main female protagonists in the story. Marianne is married to Albrecht von Lingenfels who is the nephew of a German countess, who in turn bequeaths the castle to him. Before Albrecht dies in 1944, Marianne had three children with him: Elisabeth, Katarina, and Fritz. The story centers around Marianne and the promise she makes to Connie and her husband in the prologue. When the men speak of their commitment to the resistance, she adds that the women and children will support them. Connie titles her “commander of women and children” (14). During the war and afterwards, Marianne commits her life to protecting the women and children of the resistance. For this reason, she finds Benita, Ania, and their children and brings them to live with her in the castle. She also helps the refugees and displaced persons in Ehrenheim by...