Moonface is a kapo (a prisoner in charge of other prisoners) at Bergen-Belsen whose nickname refers to his round face plagued by acne pits and scars. Moonface targets Yanek specifically, beating him whenever he gets the chance. It is these actions that prompt Yanek to want to leave Bergen-Belsen, despite the overall conditions at the camp being relatively better than the other camps at which he’s been imprisoned. Yanek meets Moonface again on his second death march from Gross-Rosen to Dachau. Moonface collects four loaves of bread along the way, and Yanek gathers up the courage to ask him for bread so that he can survive and continue to work. Moonface chooses to be merciful and gives Yanek a chunk of his bread, serving as an example of how both determination and sheer luck help Yanek to survive.
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Moonface Character Timeline in Prisoner B-3087
The timeline below shows where the character Moonface appears in Prisoner B-3087. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 24
...him funny. Yanek’s nose gushes blood. Another prisoner tells him that the kapo’s name is Moonface—and that people say he killed three men before the war.
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Yanek tries to avoid Moonface after that, though he can tell that Moonface is watching him. Moonface kicks and beats...
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Chapter 27
...him some. But when Yanek walks up to the kapo, he sees that it is Moonface: the man who had beaten him at every opportunity at Bergen-Belsen. Yanek quickly backs away,...
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That night, when they stop, Yanek decides to be brave and tentatively approaches Moonface as he eats his bread. Moonface appears to recognize him. Yanek explains that he wants...
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