They Went Left

Some characters are able to make the inspiring decision to choose love and trust in the post-war world, which brings them a measure of happiness, peace, and redemption. In particular, Breine and Chaim’s wedding is a symbol of love in the face of immense loss and suffering. Breine chooses to interpret losing her fiancé and family as a lesson in grasping happiness and love in the midst of a fraught and unpredictable world. When Zofia is taken aback by the rapidity of the arrangement (Breine and Chaim have only known each other for five weeks), Breine explains, “I am choosing to love the person in front of me” (122). She is determined that “[she] won’t let another wedding pass [her] by” (122). Even as Chaim and Breine mourn the immense losses of their families and their previous lovers, they also choose each other and a life of resolute happiness. Their marriage brings these characters an exciting and joyful future. Their wedding is an important symbol of Jewish resilience and happiness after the attempt at a total genocide of their race by the Nazis; Breine and Chaim choose to have a traditional Jewish service, and Breine is excited for them to have children together.