Kindertransport Essay Draft

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Apart from only comparing Helga with Evelyn and Eva with Faith, Samuels has created some subtle scenes in order to make these two relationships parallel. As the play is formed by two time lines, there are some lines which are mixed by time. According to Act One Scene One Page 11, there is a part that both Helga and Faith speak independently from different time period. Faith: (pulling out a toy train) “Runaway train?” Helga: “The case is too full.” For Faith, the “runaway train” is just a toy. However, it can be parallel to Eva since she wants to pack up some childish stuff like mouth organ but refused by Helga. The word “runaway” is symbolic to “never coming back” which is parallel to Eva that she is on a train which is never going back to German. Moreover, there is a time line mixing at Act One Scene Two which Eva is settled down on the train while Faith is reading Helga’s letter to Evelyn (Eva). The letter is written for elder Eva (Evelyn) which Helga generally expresses her love: “Vati wants me to tell you that he is well and his spirits are up.” and “Remember that we always love and think of you. Always. No matter what. Mutti.” (Act One Scene Two Page 23 and Page 25) Samuels mixes the two time lines subtly in order to depict all four characters. For Eva, the description of herself simply means that she is away from her home and never coming back. For Faith and Evelyn, this is the point that Faith finally rummage Evelyn’s hidden background. For Helga, the letter is the part of emotion what she has covered in front of Eva before. It contains her sadness and bitter as a parent. In this case, these four characters have connected once again through this short part of the play.

In conclusion, although these two relationships are paired in two different time lines, they have a lot of parallelism and connections. Helga and Evelyn are similar mothers since Helga makes a great impact on Evelyn of how to be a mother. On the other hand, Eva and Faith are also parallel to a certain extent. Furthermore, there are many details which are created by Samuels masterly. These details are seemed to be one or two characters’ dialogue. In fact, they reflect the deep connection between these two relationships. According to these brief explanations, the essay allows more readers to have a better understanding on both these four characters and their connections.