Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Refugee, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Trauma and Coming of Age
Injustice and Cruelty vs. Empathy and Social Responsibility
Hope vs. Despair
Family, Displacement, and Culture
Invisibility and the Refugee Experience
Summary
Analysis
Mahmoud and the other refugees march down the highway toward Austria. They walk with the crowd for 12 hours, “visible” and “exposed.” Late that night, Mahmoud and his family reach the border of Austria. The refugees congratulate each other. Then, many alarms go off on their phones: a reminder that it is time for the last prayer of the day. Hundreds of refugees pray together. Mahmoud thanks Allah for delivering them to Austria, and hopes to reach Germany with His blessing.
Mahmoud again shows his maturity and leadership in the face of trauma and hardship when he leads the refugees on their walk to Austria. The fact that the refugees are “visible” and “exposed” becomes crucial, because it will potentially allow others to learn about their walk and come to their aid.
Themes
When Mahmoud finishes praying, he sees that a group of Austrians had gathered around them. He worries that they will react poorly, but then the Austrians start to welcome and applaud the refugees. Suddenly, they are surrounded by people trying to give them things: clean clothes, medical care, food, and water. The Austrians saw the refugees’ march on TV and have come to help them. Mahmoud is so thankful that he almost weeps.
The greeting that Mahmoud and the refugees receive in Austria is deeply contrasted with the one that they received in Hungary. With the difference in these countries’ responses, Gratz proves how important empathy is, and how these small acts of kindness on the part of the Austrians go such a long way for the refugees, who have so little.
Themes
Mahmoud and his family then reach the train station and travel overnight to Germany. In Munich, the response is the same as in Austria. There are hundreds of Germans offering food, water, and other supplies. One group is handing out diapers. This reminds Mahmoud of Hana, and Fatima continues to ask if anyone had heard of a baby pulled from the water—no one had. But they know that if the boat with Hana had made it to safety, they had likely continued on to Germany.
Just as in Austria, the welcome that Mahmoud and the others receive in Germany again proves the power of visibility. Only because Mahmoud stood up and drew attention to himself, allowing others to do the same, are they able to receive the help that they need.
Themes
A German official, who has a Turkish name, asks in perfect Arabic if Youssef and his family are seeking asylum in Germany. Mahmoud wonders if this is the end of their horrible nightmare—if this is their Promised Land. Youssef says yes, they are seeking asylum in Germany.
Mahmoud’s words here echo Josef’s, who also wondered if France was the Promised Land. The irony is that Mahmoud is seeking refuge in the very place that was so cruel to Josef: Germany. Thus, Gratz implies that the “Promised Land” is not any given country; instead, it is any place where people are welcomed.
Themes
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