All But My Life – Quotes

“There was no contact with the outside world. It was a wonderful, peaceful Saturday.” (7)

“I couldn’t understand it. I didn’t seem to be able to grasp the reality of what had happened. What are those people doing? The same people I had known all my life. They have betrayed us.” (8)

“...our lives were no longer our own, but lay in the hands of a deadly enemy.” (9)

“It is strange how many feelings a knock can express, if you listen carefully.” (13)

“Such happiness is rarely experienced in the ordinary span of life.” (14)

“Days passed like a dream, like an illness with no end in sight. We lived looking forward from one day to the next...” (14)

“But this deadly silence was worst of all. The silence forced itself into my being, filled me with fright and wonder.” (17)

“Look at that pillar. It is safe. We have to have faith. Never forget it, Gerda.” (17)

“...made a wonderful game of remembering the past, using these fragments to weave dreams for the future. No present existed.” (23)

“Comfortingly, the past was unwinding before me, my wonderful childhood, safe and sheltered, too sheltered perhaps for what the years ahead were to bring, but full of lovely memories from which to draw strength.” (24)

“Promise me that no matter what happens you will never do it.” (32)

“...whatever life may bring, try not to make any decisions during this horrible war. Grow up slowly. Enjoy life. I want to see you laughing more than anything else. You have already cried enough in your young life.” (56)

“There is something I want to tell you. It has been on my mind for a long time. I would much prefer to say nothing but tomorrow may be too late.” (60)

“I might be sent away from here. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after. Nobody knows and therefore I have to tell you how much I love you. Life does not have much value these days, and mine has none at all., but having you makes me want to live. But answer me. Do you love me too?” (60) “Why is it all so hard? The war will end soon, we will all be back home. Somehow the thought brought no comfort. I felt way down in my heart that I would never be back again.” (76)

“They wanted to look back, I knew, but at the crucial moment Papa took Mama’s hand and they went on.” (77)

Powerful scenes – pg. 8, 12, 20, 21, 30, 31, 61, 68-70 (Erika’s letter),

Imagery – pgs. 3, 5, 35, 43, 45, 47, 51, 55, 77