The Siege Chapter 26

By Sagar Sachdev 10A(IGCSE)

An Epilogue of Suffering and Death

Summary: In this chapter, Dunmore brings about the reunion of Anna and Evgenia. Evgenias son, Gorya has passed on and Evgenias mum, whom Gorya thought was his mum, wanted to do the same in his memory. Anna is robbed of her wood and sledge as she attempted to bring wood back to her family. Evgenias son is shown to be one of the few lucky people to have had a proper burial. Dunmore hence elevates the themes of friendship and sacrifice as the two, shadows of their former selves attempt survival by performing deeds none would have thought they would perform before. Towards the ending, Dunmore brings about a tinge of nostalgic cognizance to elevate their will to survive and the happier times towards which everyone looked forward to. In contrast with the aforementioned, Annas father is fading away and in his memory, so is Marina. As a token of friendship, Anna is given some wood and sugar for Kolya. After a brief thought to prophecies regarded by Evgenias mum, Anna takes her leave.

Characterization- A Brief introduction of each characters roles

Anna-Protagonist, victim of the German siege and survivor. Evgenia-Annas close friend and former colleague. A real fighter with a strong will to survive Kolya-Annas brother to whom only a brief reference is made in this chapter Evgenias mum- A superstitious woman who believed in prophecies and a depression patient. Gorya- He is the late son of Evgenia. He is one of the few lucky individuals who gets a proper burial, despite the ground being hard.

Striking Lines- These are lines which I find striking to the mind.
who look at her but dont speak(pg 239) But without its anchor.anywhere(pg 239) The air shudders but nothing comes near( pg 239) Anna its you isnt it?(pg 239) and her human eyes(pg 239) the silence of a mother of a mother whom even her own childrens crying cant wake(pg 240) This is what life smells like(pg 240) Her feet are hurting now(pg 241) its dangerous. You dont know whos out there( pg 241) You were lucky then(pg 241) We may have eaten all the real rats, but weve still got the human ones around(pg 241) One shove and youre in the snow and you dont get up( pg 241) Theyre a bit more free with money then.(pg 241)

Continued
but he didnt have anything to give him(pg 242) He had a proper burial(pg 242) the frostd gone so deep in the ground(pg 242) It was just him and me then(pg 242)

The dead arent really dead for ever, only for the duration, if you get what I mean( pg 242) Its real tea, hot and strong, and theres sugar in it( pg 243) One of my clients..mum to look after (pg 243) Its these times(pg 243) Theres a note in her voice Annas never heard before. Harsh, defiant, but shamed( pg 243) You find yourself doing things youd never have thought you could do( pg 243) The coat stirs as an animal..itself out of hibernation( pg 244) Shes a believer, you cant change that( pg 245) Ill walk with you as far as the Cathedral(pg 245) Kids cant keep themselves warm like we can. Take the rest of this sugar for you and Kolya(pg 245)

Continued.
Theyre a lot more real to her than I am(pg 245) I dont care how bad it is, I still want to live(pg 245) Because she doesn't want to live anymore(pg 245) God knows there are plenty(pg 246) Mum says these are the latter days(pg 246) In the latter days, in the time of blood(pg 246) A doctor I know says its hunger thats making everyone so strange. Its nothing personal(pg 246) Shes not hungry. I make sure of that(pg 246) The minutes belong only to them(pg 247) Sausage(pg 247)