Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray

by

Ruta Sepetys

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Miss Grybas is a strict teacher from the school that Lina and Jonas attend. She takes charge of engaging the children so that they have something to think about apart from the horror of their situation. Like Elena, she is characterized by her strength and willingness to help others, and refuses to sign a contract condemning herself and other deportees to 25 years of hard labor.
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Miss Grybas Character Timeline in Between Shades of Gray

The timeline below shows where the character Miss Grybas appears in Between Shades of Gray. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Strength and Identity Theme Icon
Genocide Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
...“Davai” at them, meaning “hurry.” They are put on a truck with several other people: Miss Grybas, a spinster teacher from school, the librarian, a hotel owner, and other men Lina has... (full context)
Chapter 8
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Strength and Identity Theme Icon
Genocide Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
Elena comforts her children, shaken by the near-loss of Jonas. Miss Grybas tells them to hurry and stay with the group, since people are getting split up.... (full context)
Chapter 9
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Strength and Identity Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
...overcrowded. Shelves, six feet deep, have been installed, presumably to stack people on. Elena and Miss Grybas observe that all the men are gone—only elderly, infirm men are a part of the... (full context)
Chapter 20
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Genocide Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
The train passes farther south through the Ural Mountains. Miss Grybas says they have now passed into Asia, and passengers speculate that they are on course... (full context)
Chapter 34
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Strength and Identity Theme Icon
Genocide Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
...300 grams a day for their work. That is the only food they are given. Miss Grybas sees Elena on her way back from receiving her ration, and quickly gives her beets... (full context)
Chapter 39
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
...are assigned to the beet fields. Lina realizes how difficult and brave it was for Miss Grybas to sneak them food. (full context)
Chapter 60
Morality, Integrity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Strength and Identity Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
...man’s shack to discuss the changes to come. Mrs. Rimas is on the list, but Miss Grybas is not. All of this information was received from Mrs. Arvydas. They speculate how to... (full context)
Chapter 62
Strength and Identity Theme Icon
The Power of Art Theme Icon
Genocide Theme Icon
Women and Mothers Theme Icon
...who always carries a doll, her mother, and other people stream out of their shacks. Miss Grybas rushes out to say goodbye, claiming they are being sent to America. The grouchy woman... (full context)