The captain of the St. Louis. In contrast with Otto Schiendick, Captain Schroeder recognizes the humanity of the Jewish passengers on board his ship and understands his responsibility to shepherd them to safety. When the St. Louis is turned away by the Cuban and United States governments, Schroeder works as hard as he can to make sure that the passengers are not taken back to Germany, which would likely result in their deaths. Even when Josef, Pozner, and other passengers try to take the ship hostage, Schroeder empathizes with their desperation and assures them that he will land in other places in Europe—ultimately making good on his promise.
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Captain Schroeder Character Timeline in Refugee
The timeline below shows where the character Captain Schroeder appears in Refugee. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Josef: Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean – 1939, 8 days from home
The rabbi asks Gustav Schroeder, the captain, to take down the portrait of Hitler in the social hall. Schroeder agrees,...
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When Josef sees two stewards talking, he approaches them. He overhears them saying that Captain Schroeder is trying to go as fast as possible because there are other ships that are...
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Josef: Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean – 1939, 10 days from home
...on the St. Louis take a tour of the ship’s bridge and engine room. Captain Schroeder demonstrates how to change the ship’s speed. Josef notices that the settings are on full,...
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Josef: Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean – 1939, 11 days from home
...covered with the national flag—the Nazi flag. Aaron protests angrily and spits at Schiendick’s feet. Schroeder breaks up the two men, and says that they can make an exception in this...
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...sand from a nearby sandbox and throws it over the rail of the deck. Captain Schroeder and the other sailors salute the man by touching the brims of their caps. After...
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Josef: Just Outside Havana Harbor – 1939, 21 days from home
...and other officers do the same. The situation is about to boil over when Captain Schroeder appears. He explains that he had been to see President Brú to ask for the...
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Josef: Off the American Coast – 1939, 21 days from home
...where they see a few passengers who had been working as a committee with Captain Schroeder on where they might disembark. They reveal that the U.S. has refused to take them....
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Josef: Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean – 1939, 22 days from home
...bridge, they attack three sailors, taking them hostage. They tell the officer to fetch Captain Schroeder.
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When Schroeder arrives, Pozner tells him that they are taking over the ship and going anywhere but...
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Schroeder says that he understands their desperation, but tells them that they are committing a crime....
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