~A Night Divided~ by Reiley Abraham

"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." - Albert Camus, Chapter 35, page 230

rabra0294 — 2024-05-06 17:18:37 UTC

This is one of my favourites featured in A Night Divided. Appearing at the start of chapter 35, it really shows how Gerta feels as she's building the tunnel with Fritz in secret. She knows how much more open she could be in West Berlin, she lives in an unfree world, and in order to escape it, she needs to rebel a lot, even as far as to commiting what are considered crimes to get her illegal escape attempt to work.

"'There's nothing but greed and selfishness on the other side,"' my schoolteacher often told us. 'If you try to look, it shows nothing but greed and selfishness in your own heart.'" - Chapter 5, Page 29

rabra0294 — 2024-05-06 17:38:33 UTC

Gerta faced daily challenges in Berlin's east side due to communist control, but despite her strong opinions, she refused to believe in the East's teachings and implications.

"A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us." - Friedrich Nietzsche, Chapter 10, page 63

rabra0294 — 2024-05-06 17:41:01 UTC

In East Berlin, your ideals and feelings must reflect the ideals and expectations of the Stazi, and the rest of communist Russia. Gerta dreams of being free in the West, and this quote shows that. It also shows how her attempt to build a tunnel with her brother could risks not her own life, but the lives of all the people she cares about.

"Forget not the tyranny of this wall, horrid place, nor the love of freedom that made it fall." A phrase written on the Berlin Wall after it came down, Chapter 27, Page 171

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 17:33:01 UTC

Gerta does express throughout the book that her escape plan, and life within East Berlin has almost become a part of her entire identity. She'll never forget what life was like in East Berlin, but she's happy to be reunited with her family and not have to live in that "horrid place" for the rest of her life.

"Never Say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder." Albert Schweitzer, Chapter 42, Page 271

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 17:39:57 UTC

Most of our main characters in the book are against not being able to appreciate any of the wonders outside the wall. The ability to go where you wish without having a gun pointed to your head because of the mere thought of going on an adventure is something they long for.

"We are not animals who can be corralled behind a cement wall. And although the state might listen to our words and watch our actions, they will never know my thoughts, which means they will never truly control me. And if I'm my own person, then it's time for me to leave this prison." Gerta's "Letter to Anna", Chapter 43, Page 282-283

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 17:49:31 UTC

Gerta wrote this as her and her mother were cleaning up their apartment before they were going to leave. Shortly after these words were written, Grenzers came and searched through their apartment. That was when the moment had came for Gerta, Fritz and their mother to make their escape.

"The Sun never rises in the West, but that day it did. For me, and for my family, the long, dark night was over." Chapter 47, Page 317

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 17:51:49 UTC

Not having to worry about the Stasi, or any authority of the East anymore, Gerta and her family are reunited and can now live their lives in peace as a family.

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 22:21:14 UTC

When Gerta arrived in West Berlin, she was surprised to see the graffiti and art on the West side of the wall, protesting for it to be gone. All that West Berlin wants is to be united again - in freedom.

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 22:31:07 UTC

The photo here showcases the average member of the Stasi in uniform. The Stasi are the people who would often spy and prevent escape attempts. They'd also keep files on offenders, as seen with Gerta and Fritz.

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 23:00:18 UTC

These Children are wearing similar uniforms to what Gerta had to wear when at meetings with the pioneers. Wasn't her favourite thing to wear, but she didn't have that much of a choice.

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 23:02:52 UTC

An example of the tunnels Eastern Berlingers would dig underground to escape to the West. This was the method of choice of Gerta and Fritz.

rabra0294 — 2024-05-08 23:07:37 UTC

A photo of when the Berlin wall went up. The wall that separated many families, including Gerta's.