Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Between Shades of Gray, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice
Strength and Identity
The Power of Art
Genocide
Women and Mothers
Summary
Analysis
The deportees are worked hard on Christmas Day. Elena gives Ulyushka a packet of cigarettes for Christmas. Lina gives Andrius a drawing of him, and Jonas gives him the oval stone that sparkled like jewelry, which Lina had given to Jonas for strength during his bout of scurvy. Elena goes with Andrius to say Merry Christmas to Mrs. Arvydas. Jonas and Lina reminisce about how they used to spend Christmas, and hope their father is safe.
Christmas Day is particularly hard for Lina and Jonas, since it is the first Christmas without Kostas in attendance. They reminisce about the warmth of family that used to surround them on this day, and still find it surreal how quickly everything has changed. Andrius is flattered by Lina’s gift, and it appears that their fight is now in the past.
Themes
