Kindertransport

Kindertransport

1. Characters

   • Evelyn/Eva
     • Does not understand why she is being sent way al the time
     • Forgets about her old Identity and becomes English
     • Guilty of her survival and change
     • Has a problematic relationship with her daughter, Faith
   • Helga
     • Eva's natural mother who sends her away from Nazi Germany
     • She survives the holocaust
     • She returns to England to retive Eva but is sourly rejected
     • Tries to encourage Eva to be independent for when she's not there for her
     • She leaves for New York alone after being rejected
   • Faith
     • Knows nothing of her Mum's past
     • Feels rejected by her Mum
     • Becomes obssesive about her past
     • Finds lots of her Mum's old things in the attic
     • Has a rough relationship with her Mum and angry at her for keeping this secret
   • Lil
     • Eva/Evelyns adopted Mum
     • Working class - smokes
     • Wants Eva to cut off her German ties
     • Has heard of the Jewish Plight's and wants to help
     • Feels responsible for Evelyn's happiness
     • Very protective of Evelyn

2. Themes/Motifs

   • Ratcatcher
     • Like an 'angel of death' his reason for punishment is ingratitude
     • NOT HUMAN
       • Exists for each character in a different guise
       • Always there but not always visible
     • He haunts people. Controls memories to bring out fears
     • German children's story character of pied piper foregrounds the character of the ratcatcher and his actions
     • Living embodiment of character's fears
       • Controls and commands fears in others
   • Mouth Organ
   • Jewellery
   • Male characters
   • Identity