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Ona
A young girl who is deported along with her family. Janina loses her doll, and often pretends that the doll’s ghost speaks to her. She, like Jonas, develops scurvy and is only saved at the very last moment by Dr. Samodurov’s intervention. Terrified that she and her child will die in the camps, Janina’s mother has a moment of panic and nearly strangles her daughter.
Janina Quotes in Between Shades of Gray
The Between Shades of Gray quotes below are all either spoken by Janina or refer to Janina. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 64 Quotes
“The Jews are the scapegoat for all of Germany’s problems,” said the bald man. “Hitler’s convinced racial purity is the answer. It’s too complicated for children to understand.”
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Chapter 69 Quotes
“I can’t do this! I won’t die here. I will not let a fox eat us!” Suddenly the woman grabbed Janina by the throat. A thick gurgle came from Janina’s windpipe.
Mother threw herself on Janina’s mother and pried her fingers from her daughter’s neck. Janina caught her breath and began to sob.
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Janina Character Timeline in Between Shades of Gray
The timeline below shows where the character Janina appears in Between Shades of Gray. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 63
...shot her doll and then beat her when she cried. She says her name is Janina. She tells Lina she saw Lina’s “boyfriend” give her something, and Lina shows Janina and...
(full context)
Chapter 64
...his words, talks frequently about them going to America. In the middle of the night, Janina wakes Lina up and tells her the yellow girl is dead. The next day, guards...
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...train, and they share it with others as well. Lina draws to pass the time. Janina asks the bald man if he is a Jew, and if Hitler might kill the...
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Chapter 67
...it’s none of her business. He also says she’ll never be a famous artist, but Janina insists that she will be.
(full context)
Chapter 69
...horizon for 180 days—is nearly upon them. They must prepare for the cold and darkness. Janina’s mother, going mad with despair, tries to strangle Janina. Elena forces her off of the...
(full context)
Chapter 71
The day after they finish the jurta, Janina sees a ship on the horizon flying an American flag. At first the deportees are...
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Chapter 72
...at them to use for firewood. The first snowstorm arrives at the end of September. Janina itches and Lina realizes there are lice in the jurta. They scoop ice to melt...
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Chapter 77
...outside the doors. Diseases run through the camp, and some people commit suicide. One day Janina points Lina to a huge, dead owl in the snow. Janina suggests that they eat...
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Chapter 83
...her deep hatred of the NKVD. The next day, Kretszky is gone. February arrives, and Janina comes down with scurvy. Jonas realizes that he, too, is developing it again. Lina tries...
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Chapter 84
...people in the hut. Mrs. Rimas cries out that they need help. The man sees Janina and Jonas and is shocked at the state they are in. He demands fish from...
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