Characterization
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In Eisenstein’s memoir, there is a vast array of different characters and personalities to be discovered, each with their specific attributes and personalities that set them apart. These characters becomes and more relatable to the reader, as many feel as though they too could be a part of one’s own family. The Following is a characterization list, and brief description of each of her characters, created from our observations of the characters in the book.
Family
Bernice Eisenstein: Bernice Eisenstein is the main narrator of the memoir, I was a child of Holocaust survivors. In her memoir, this narration often changes between adult and child, Bernice Eisenstein, providing the reader with distinctive perspectives, while also highlight her own personal growth and evolution in character. In her illustration Bernice physical appearance is portrayed usually as a young girl with short black hair. The young Bernice strives for knowledge and is preconscious, very humorous , outgoing, clever, and at times daring. She dearly loves her mother and father, though at times she finds difficultly understanding and relating to her parents. However, through her research of the Holocaust she comes to a better understanding. Adult Bernice is of a more serious and poetic character, as she too has dealt with hardships, such as the death of her father . As a character adult Bernice Eisenstein had developed and come to a better understanding of her family and family friends.
Regina Eisenstein (Mother): Selfless, resilient, and compassionate, the mother of Bernice Eisenstein is a survivor of the Holocaust. When she was young, she was imprisoned in a concentration camp where she was forced to work at a storehouse called Canada. As a character, she does not value material possessions in the slightest as many of us do. She highly values the people in her life, because during her experiences in the Holocaust she learns that people are the only thing we truly have, which is a valuable lesson we can all learn from. In Eisenstein’s illustrations, her mother is portrayed with soft and soothing lines, drawn with an air of kindness and lost in contemplation. She was a very kind and caring mother to young Bernice and appeared to be more willing to share her story and experiences than her father was. Her mother also seems to be a character that strongly represents hope, as she appears to keep an optimistic outlook on life, and has been able to find a great deal of happiness and love through her family. Lastly, she is also portrayed as being very motherly, and would lovingly make breakfasts and lunches of Young Bernice, and care for her injuries. For example “…she hollowed out a potato and placed it over my throbbing, badly burned thumb.” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 62. These kind and somewhat quirky actions are things that we can all relate to in our own lives.
Ben Eisenstein (Father): Bernice Eisenstein’s father was a very hard working (he was a butcher), handsome, and more stern character, which often appeared to keep his feelings and experiences inside and was a man of little words. In Eisenstein’s memoir, her father is usually illustrated as a very stern and serious man, with a strong sense of selflessness and love for his family, he would do anything for them, even “…lie down in front of a truck…” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 34)for them. He is also portrayed as a heroic character as well, because when he was in the Holocaust, despite the consequences of being caught, he helped a man by providing him with winter boots, of which very well saved his life. Her father also appeared to feel a great deal of pain over the deaths of his own family (his parents and his two sisters), but this was a pain that he seemed to keep to himself, rarely talking of these events as they caused him so much pain.
Michael (Brother): Michael is the brother of Bernice Eisenstein, a character who was also greatly affected by his parent’s history and lives, as he later accompanies his mother to revisit her concentration camp.
Sharon (Bernice’s Sister): The older sister of Bernice Eisenstein, whom mostly likely shares many of the same views and experiences of that of her younger sister and brother.
Jacob (Ben Eisenstein’s Brother, uncle to Bernice): Jacob, the brother of Ben Eisenstein, is one of the only surviving members of his family, whose parents and two sisters had been killed in a concentration camp. Both he and Jacob were forced into labor by the Germans and both “were then sent to Plaszow, a concentration camp that has become well known as a result of the movie based on Thomas Kennelly’s book Schindler’s Ark”.(Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 37). Jacob experienced many of the same hardship that his brother did.
Jenny (Jacob’s wife, Aunt to Bernice, and Sister to Regina): Jenny is the sister of Regina Eisenstein, whom had also went through similar experiences to that of Regina. Jenny is described as having jet black hair, and being very motherly and kind to her and her own children. Eisenstein also describes Jenny as being very beautiful as well, and states “I didn’t come out of my hiding to tell my aunt how beautiful she was…”(Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 136).
Lemel (Regina’s brother): Lemel is the brother of Regina. Not much is known about him, but it is conveyed that we was very fearful of the events taking place. He perished in the Holocaust after becoming separated from the rest of his family during sorting.
Moishe (Regina Eisenstein father): little is known or described of Moishe in this memoir, however what is known was that he was taken away to a different concentration camp than that of his wife and daughter, and was forced into labor. He later lives a happier life, right into his 90’s. In Eisenstein’s memoir he is described as being a man of few words, and being the embodiment of seriousness and sternness. He was a figure who demanded respect, but was a figure that also truly deserved it. For the remainder of his life, he was usually very cold or distant to many people, which is fairly understandable when considering what he had experienced.
Machele (Regina Eisenstein Mother): The mother of Regina Eisenstein, who loved and cared for her children dearly. She struggle greatly during the Holocaust, caring for her sick children, and losing her only son. She later lives a happier life, right into her 90’s.
Binche (sister of Ben Eisenstein): not much is known or conveyed about the particular characteristics of this character, however what is known was she was pregnant with a young child, and on her way to a concentration camp she had this child. It is implied that he and the child were killed, which is tragic and horrific.
Michael and Larry (Bernice’s cousin’s): According to the description provided through both illustrative and text base information, both Michael and Larry were rather rambunctious and high energy children. According to Eisenstein Michael and Larry were also both “…avid comic-book readers, would burst out with cartoon-noises as they tossed imaginary explosive weapons back and forth across the table, pretending to die in slow motion” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 122). In this memoir, these two characters are usually portrayed in dynamic and hyper poses, one with black curly hair, and the other with lighter and neatly combed hair. Larry is also further described in this book, as in his years as an art student, he is described as being very messy, especially when taking care of his grandparents’ house.
Mintz (Binche’s husband): Very little in known about this character, other than of his marriage to Binche. His fate is never described either, but it would not be incorrect to assume he most likely perished in the holocaust.
Sarah Oksenhendler (Regina’s aunt): Not much is known about Sarah, other than she was a teacher at an orphanage, whom witnesses a many terrible events and acts of brutality. For example “…Sarah Oksenhendler, was a teacher at the Bedzin orphanage, located at the edge of the city. In 1943, the orphanage was used to old Jews before deportation. Children were killed. Some were seen being thrown out the windows”.(Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 104).
Uncle Ella (Grandfathers Brother): In this memoir, Uncle Ella is described as being a very kind, loving and generous person, whom also experienced his share of tragedy during the Holocaust. For example “Ella’s wife and child died in Auschwitz, and after the war he moved to Palestine, where he married Shifra, and together they came to Canada and raised two sons and a daughter” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 165). He has a particularly strong sweet tooth as well.
Bernice Eisenstein’s son: Bernice’s son, named after her father Ben. Ben is a young infant and child of Bernice Eisenstein, whom she named after her father who passed away.
Friends
Norman (husband of Rose, Family Friend): Norman is a family friend of the Eisenstein’s, who is also a Holocaust survivor. He is described as being content and happy, someone who is truly enjoying their life despite the atrocities he witnessed. In Eisenstein’s memoir, she gives us insight into Norman experience, telling us that “Norman had a wife and a young child before the war, but they died in a concentration camp” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 159). Despite this tragedy, and through much struggle Norman was able to recover and now has a wife and two boys. This character is particularly inspiring as it shows that many survivors of the Holocaust did go on to live happier lives after these tragic events.
Rose (Wife or Norman, Family friend): Rose is a family friend, particularly that of Eisenstein’s mother side. During Regina’s sickness in the concentration camp, she was the one who provided her with the red paper that very well saved her from death. For example “Rose is a friend who saved my mother’s life with a piece of paper when they were both in Auschwitz. It was she who had brought red tissue to my mother, who was ill, so that she could rub colour into her cheeks and be spared.” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 159). This person’s character appears to be that of tremendous bravery and kindness.
Fabian (Husband of Nadja, family friend): Fabian is a family friend who is briefly mentioned in the later chapters of Eisenstein’s memoir. He is described as being a rather short and plumpish man, and is illustrated with light grey blading hair. During the Holocaust he experienced a great deal of fear and struggle, and is described as having “…spent most of the war in hiding” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 160). Eisenstein goes on to contemplate whether this hiding had anything to do with his rather short stature which is a humorous notion.
Nadja (wife of Fabian, family Friend): Nadja appears to be more elderly and very kind women, who is the wife of Fabian. In this memoir it is conveyed that she has a knack for knitting. For example “Nadja is wearing one of the many knitted outfits she creates. Like Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities, she was always knitting and purling, styling herself and her two daughters” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 160). She is also described as suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, which greatly affects her memory and causes a great deal or worry and concern. What is not known was her Holocaust experiences. She is illustrated as a short rather plump woman, with curly and greying hair.
Harry (Husband of Bella, family friend): Harry is the intelligent and well educated husband of Bella, a family friend. In this memoir is described as one who “… takes great pleasure in privately pursuing his education. Whenever Harry comes to our house, he is always curious about whatever book I am reading, and his questions, spoken to a soothing voice, drew me out of shyness”(Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 162). We found it interesting that this family friend also played and integral part of Bernice Eisenstein’s own life, as he helped her overcome shyness. He is also described as being a fairly short man as well, and is illustrated with similar baldness to that of Fabian.
Bella (Wife of Harry, family friend): Bella is the wife of Harry, and also a family friend. She is described as being very elegant and graceful in both movement and appearance. In this memoir her appearance is described with great detail as well. For example she is described as “ having “…fleshy cheeks…powdered with rouge, grant her a soft glow of health, and the rings sparkling on her fingers taken off that night with difficulty.” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 162). It is also conveyed that she suffers greatly from arthritis. She appears to be a very warm and outgoing social butterfly, or at least that’s what we felt was conveyed in Eisenstein’s illustration.
Carola (family friend): Carola, a family friend, is described as being very slim and light in appearance. During the Holocaust she experienced something extremely dramatic and daring. For example “On the transport from Miechow to Treblinka, Carola was able to jump from the moving train, falling away not onlt from her family but from my father’s as well, and from all the others whose lives entered darkness once the doors had been sealed” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 162). Though she may look very petit and small, her actions of bravery and daringness speak loudly of her personal character.
David (Husband of Helen, family friend): described as almost completely opposite of Carola. He is very heavy and plump. “David clears his throat, raises his wineglass, and looks over the long table where the celebrating family sits. His words are spoken effortlessly, the emotion matching the deep timbre of his voice.” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 162).
Helen (Wife of David, family friend): Helen is the wife of David, very warm, loving and friendly women, who is only briefly described in this memoir.
Others
Ghosts of the dead: Though these characters appear to be only mentioned once on page 18, they are extremely compelling and slightly terrifying characters. Oddly enough, this character is more of a symbolism of the hesitance that family or relatives may have conveyed when Bernice inquired about the Holocaust. They are simply spirits that wish to be left in peace, but always serve as a reminder so that on does not forget. In Eisenstein’s memoir, these characters are portrayed as black and dark blue figures, most of them female, standing behind a fence inside a concentration camp.
The man from Australia: This particular character is only briefly mentioned on page 28 of Eisenstein’s memoir. No name or physical description is provided, however we come to understand that this was a man whose life was saved by Eisenstein’s father during the Holocaust. He now lives a happier and more peaceful life, and has a family and friends, similar to that of her own parents. Though not much is known about this character, he gives us insight into the recovery and lives of many other Holocaust survivors, other than her own parents.
Regina’s Two Friends: During the time of the Holocaust, Regina had two friends who would writer her letters from the concentration camps they were in. For example “Their letters were sad and dreamy; they were lonely, heartbroken, hoping the war would end soon. Would we ever see one another again” (Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 102). She later discovers that both of her friends perished. Though we don’t know much about these characters, they still provide insight into the feelings felt by those imprisoned in concentration camps.
Harry Blumsfeld: Not much is known about this character either, other than he almost escaped, but was later found and killed. For example “Harry Blumsfeld escaped. Than it was discovered that he had been arrested and taken to Auschwitz, where he was interrogated and killed.” ”.(Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 103).
The Store Owner: on page 48 of Eisenstein’s memoir, a brief mention is made of a character that use to play cards (and constantly lost games) with Bernice’s father. In the book he is described as conveying a “…crude directness…”(Eisenstein, 2006, p.p. 48) towards her father and his death. This character seems to be one that is slightly rude, or may hold a small amount of resentment toward Ben, however it also appears that he greatly enjoyed his company as well.
Mr. Pick: A man who lived in the attic with Bernice and her family, who later passes away. He is only briefly mentioned in this memoir, and not much is known about his outward appearance or personality.
The SS: was described as being a group of German soldiers, often accompanied by dogs who would commit acts of violence and murder and force people onto box cars towards concentration camps.
Eisenstein, B. (2006). I was a child of Holocaust survivors. Toronto, On: McClelland & Stewart Ltd.
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1 comments:
It feels a little wired to be commenting on an article I wrote, but for anyone who reads this, I found out some interesting info on Regina Eisenstein.
http://www.feduja.org/bookoflife/story_Eisenstein_Regina1.html
She is a part of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto, and she tells her story here. I highly recommend anyone who sees this to go an read it.
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