preview

The Endless Steppe Essay

Decent Essays

“Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.” (Johann von Goethe) “The Endless Steppe” by Esther Hautzig is a novel about a family’s determination to survive. In the novel it tells of how determination, the human ability to adopt, and happiness can hold a family together and help them even preserver over all odds. In addition, “The Endless Steppe” tells of Reisa, Ryia, and Esther tales of how they overcame these ordeals and survived in Siberia in their own way. The theme of this book is that the human capacity to adapt to and find happiness in the most difficult circumstances. Each character in the novel shows this in their way. For instance, their family is randomly taken from their home and forced to …show more content…

The second person that illustrated the theme of the book was Esther’s mother Raya. Raya showed this by always keeping a positive attitude, which raises the spirits around her. For instance, in the novel her husband went off to war, his entire battalion was wiped out and everyone had given up hope of him returning except for her. She kept saying, “Be sure to get some farmer’s cheese, the kind he adores.” Her positive attitude paid off in the end after everyone thought she was grief ridden she proved them wrong when he returned. In addition, her positive attitude did pay off again when he husband was thought to be lost in a when he did not return for work. Everyone was starting to be worried and lose hope but she continued to hope and believe and tell the others to and he returned again. That is how Raya illustrated the theme of the book by maintaining her positive attitude and encouraging others around her with it. The third person that illustrated the theme of the book was Esther. Esther showed the theme of the book by the ability to accept change and her love for her family, which held them together. For instance, when she was forced for her home on the train she was scared and she did not know what the future held for her but she pursued on. She even did not even complain in situations that other people would. In addition, she also had to endure not having her own space, new roommates, even different schools, and making new friend. However, even through all

Get Access