Uprising

The survivors in Warsaw learn that the invasion killed 200,000 people. They do their best to bury the dead, but many remain in the ruins of their homes and businesses.

Lidia and Ryszard go to see Hitler arrive. A parade is held for him, and Lidia listens as Germans throughout the crowd speak of how the Polish are “cowards.” After just a few minutes, she asks Ryszard to leave.

On their way home, they stop at their destroyed school. They see their headmaster, Professor Jasinski, looking through the rubble. He expresses his concern about them being out alone and tells them that they should return home. Lidia asks about school, but Jasinski tells them that the Germans likely won’t allow the people of Poland to continue to be educated because “education is strength” (49).

On October 5, Lidia and Ryszard come across a German soldier in the street. He stops in front of them and then strikes Ryszard with his rifle, knocking him to the ground. He demands that they move out of the way any time a German is in their path. Lidia apologizes for trying to stop Ryszard from fighting back and thinks that it “wounds” her to show deference to the soldiers.