Echo

As Elisabeth’s visit continues, her family mostly avoids her, and her conversation. Martin plays Brahms’ Lullaby with a melancholy tinge to it. Friedrich wonders of his sister, “All those years, had she loved him as he’d loved her?” (114).

Elisabeth leaves without saying goodbye. Martin explains to Friedrich that he asked him not to speak ill of Hitler merely to protect them both from Elisabeth. He says that he will stop sharing his opinions, although he will continue to shop at the Jewish grocery. He tells his son, “I don’t carry on just for the Jews. I carry on for you, too. Any injustice the Nazis impose on the Jews, they will impose on you, or anyone else they deem undesirable” (118).

Two weeks later, Anselm invites Friedrich to a Hitler Youth meeting; it turns out that his sister is a good friend of Elisabeth’s, and that Elisabeth has asked him to encourage Friedrich. On his way home, he learns from his father that Dr. Braun is indeed planning on recommending Friedrich for sterilization, unless he is admitted to the conservatory, in which case he may be eligible for a concession for “loyal and true Germans of great aptitude” (123).