This novel exemplifies the various aspects of World War ll

This novel exemplifies the various aspects of World War ll, especially the Dutch resistance and the will to survive. World War ll was a horrid event in history that killed many lives over the simple obedience in religion. As time continued the Germans gained an overwhelming amount of power, and almost had complete control over the entirety of Europe. Hiding or fleeing the country was the only sensible idea that Jewish people had in order to survive the harsh treatment of Adolf Hitler. In this case, however, the novel, “Girl in the Blue Coat”, written by author, Monica Hesse, exercised that immoral laws had to be broken to create a better world where every gender, religion, and race is protected, safe, and freed of judgement. Throughout the story, the protagonist, Hanneke risks her life just only to survive, and provide food for herself and her family. A group of Hanneke’s friends, and clients had also made sacrifices that could ultimately have them instantly executed. As seen from the book, sometimes it is necessary to break immoral laws to initiate change for the betterment of society, even if it means risking your life.
During World War ll, rations of foods and clothing had become limited and rare. Productions all over the globe were affected by this war, and the production of most goods were drawn to a stop. Even jobs were hard to come by, for instance, Hanneke’s mother was a music teacher, but once the war began the love and money for it was lost. Hanneke had become the sole money and food supplier for her family, and was forced to work as a receptionist for her boss Mr. Kreuk who works as an undertaker. As to make more money, Mr. Kreuk began to use the ration cards of dead people to stock up on supplies, and would resell them at higher prices, and used Hanneke to deliver the goods. To survive it was necessary Hanneke delivered black market goods, it was not a choice to, but more or less the will to stay alive. In the text Hanneke further demonstrates the urgency of the goods and stated, “Now I transport black market goods, but only because it feeds me and my family” (Hesse 25). Throughout the novel, Hanneke refers to herself as a “…finder…” (Hesse 8) rather than to admit to the severity of her actions. People make irrational decisions during war and it is these circumstances that reveal a person’s true nature when it comes down to life or death.
“The Girl in the Blue Coat”, confirmed that resistances and groups are typically formed to protect lives from near and possible dangers, during appraisals under heinous leadership. Hanneke’s friend Ollie, who invited her to come by his house for his supper club was soon rather revealed to be a head leader of a resistance group. As the war progressed, the group had difficulty in providing fake ration cards for people they had in hiding. The group had to fake occasions to gather extra cards, for instance, “And Leo and I have already been engaged several times” (Hesse 78). Ollie and this group of friends were destined to make a change for the better in the development of the war and cared about helping others, for example, “But instead of using the ration cards to sell goods for profit, like I do, they pass the cards to the resistance” (Hesse 78). The hidden resistance made incomprehensible risks in efforts to save the lives of even a few Jews. War changes people so that they do not oppose evil but unconsciously comply by doing nothing. Change begins with just one, it is in our control whether we choose delusion rather than the truth or stand up and fight for what is right. Teens and individuals can make a huge difference with a unified effort, which is seen through the resistance group of Hanneke’s friends.
Many Jews hid during the war to escape possible executions or being sent to concentration camps. Hiding people was a challenging decision that involved hazardous risks. Sometimes Jews were hid by neighbors or former employees who they once had in their normal everyday lives. Even people who portrayed to be innocent such as, Mrs. Jansen, a client of Hanneke stated, “I need you to find-” (Hesse 16), describing the help she needed from Hanneke to find her missing person whom she was hiding. Mrs. Jansen had no other family as well as Mirjam and felt obligated to hide her. Mrs. Jansen states, “I didn’t think of that…” (Hesse 24), Mrs. Jansen forgets the severity of the situation and is driven out of love to find Mirjam. The possibilities of getting caught hiding a Jew was an immediate execution without a trial, or any explanation, but Mrs. Jansen further glorified that immoral laws have to be broken to create change and help save a life.
Overall life and death are the ultimate testament of a person’s true self. Be a leader not a follower and stick up for what is right. Everyday people bystand tragedies and continue to allow them to happen. As a whole it is essential to take a stand against corrupt behavior and pave the way towards justice and freedom. Throughout history people have had to make the choice to either watch the criminal actions of others and do nothing or stand up and make a difference. For example, Martin Luther King Jr., the face of the civil rights movement was arrested five times for his efforts towards equality for all, but in the end helped create the Civil Rights Act of 1964 granting equality for every race regardless of their background. In conclusion it is essential to break immoral laws to create change for the betterment of society.