The Silver Sword Chapters 23-27

Climax

Favourite Quotes

Characters

• ‘“Will Mother be waiting for us on the shore?” said Bronia. “Perhaps she will,” said Ruth. And in the dim light nobody noticed that her eyes were wet with tears.’ Shows that beneath Ruth’s strict outer shell, she has a soft heart, and she yearns for her parents as much as the others.
• ‘In Ruth’s face he saw what he had hardly noticed before, though they had long been there - courage, self-sacrifice, and greatness of heart. He hesitated no longer. He had lost Ludwig, but he had not lost Ruth. And the treasure box was still safe under his arm.’ Shows the change in Jan’s character (wiser, less selfish), and his devotion to the Balicki family. Reflects how mature and noble Ruth is.

• 2nd half of chapter 27 (freak storm of 1945)
• Edek is carried by the wind to the middle of the lake on a boat - fate: uncertain (until next chapter)
• Ruth & Bronia remain together.
• Jan faces a difficult choice: stay with Ludwig or go with the Balickis? He decides to go with Ruth & Bronia after Ruth's rough words.
• ‘In that moment of decision Jan began to grown up’ He is no longer the little pickpocket - he has learnt to fight for what is good and what is truly precious to him

Joe Wolski: A truck driver who is part of the occupation. He speaks French and English. He is kind and eager to help the children in finding their family.

Superintendent: The person guarding the borders of switzerland, who is bound by the law but wants to help the children.

Edek: A teenager who is very determined, but is also suffering from sickness. He is very dependent on Ruth while he was sick with TB.

Drama

Time

Characters

Jan: He is a belligerent child who steals food and is a pickpocket. He is only cowed by ruth, who he treats as a mother/guardian.

Bronia: A small child who is dependent on ruth and the others, but she is very observant and notices stuff the other children does not.

Ruth: A motherly teenager who is determined to bring everyone to switzerland, and keep them from stealing food. She is strict on Jan but she only wishes the best for him.

Summary of Ch.23-27

Themes

26:

The children joined a refugee camp

They found out that Joseph Balicki would go and pick up his children

27:

The children were too excited and forgot about the bad weather, causing them to end up in a storm

Jan loses Ludwig

After Ruth’s fierce words about Jan caring only about his pets, his heart was stirred, and he ‘grew up’, by helping Ruth get to the other side of the lake

Staying Hidden

The children have to be quiet to prevent people from knowing their presence

Obstacles

Jan and Edek are missing; but after they meet, Jan is nowhere to be found again

Edek was severely sick

Finding a way to reach Switzerland

Themes

Writing Techniques

Anthropomorphism and Imagery: “For a moment the moon peeped from a cloud and turned the rippling surface of the stream to silver.” (P.135)

Foreshadowing: “But the children were so busy talking and laughing over their experiences that they did not even notice.” (P.141)

Third Person Omniscient: “Jan’s treasure box was one of the few things which they had salvaged from the wrecked canoes.”- The writer shows awareness of this piece of information. (P.143)

Symbolism: “He gave me the sword and it’s our guide and lifeline.” (P.145)

Luck

Loss of the Silver Sword → Luck is gone too :(

They meet a lot of people who helped them: Joe Wolski (the driver), Mr and Mrs Wolff (the farmer and his wife, …)

Desperation

They want to go to Switzerland so badly, and… they do eventually

Searching for food and other necessities

Summary of Ch 23-27

23:

Children’s journey to Switzerland (canoeing)

An American soldier shot at them, but they escaped

24:

Went on foot towards Switzerland

Found silver sword missing

Jan and Ludwig left to get the silver sword

Edek became so sick he wasn’t able to walk

The children met Joe Wolski

25:

The children found out that Jan and Ludwig were in the back of Joe’s truck

They reached the mountains of Switzerland.

The Silver Sword Chapters 23-27

Group 4: Chopped Illuminati

Justin, Adrian, Max, Hugo, Nat