Annemarie grows up a lot during the events of the war. She sees her friend’s family have to run away. Her family participates in Resistance activities. Annemarie learns Denmark is a proud country that will not bow to Nazi control.
Annemarie’s family discusses the story of the sinking of Denmark’s fleet. She thinks about how the old king must feel terrible to lose the fleet, but proud to have kept it from the Nazis. In the same way, the people of Denmark try to prevent the country’s Jews from being victims of Nazi genocide.
Annemarie realizes pride is a complex thing. Even when everything has been taken from you, you can still have pride. She considers the case of her friends the Rosens, who will have to leave everything behind in order to go into hiding.
All of those things, those sources of pride — the candlesticks, the books, the daydreams of theater — had been left behind in Copenhagen. They had nothing with them now; there was only the clothing of unknown people for warmth, the food from Henrik's farm for survival, and the dark path ahead, through the woods, to freedom (Chapter 11).
For the Rosens, survival is of the utmost importance. Losing personal possessions means nothing as long as the Rosens have their lives and each other. In war, priorities change. People realize what is really important.
Another source of Annemarie's pride is her family's assistance with the Resistance. Peter was arrested, but he did not regret what he had done. He helped people while he could, and for this he was proud.
He had written a letter to them from prison the night before he was shot. It had said simply that he loved them, that he was not afraid, and that he was proud to have done what he could for his country and for the sake of all free people (Chapter 17).
War is difficult for everyone. Annemarie realizes each person has to do what he or she feels is right. Pride means knowing you are standing up for what you believe is right.
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