Children and Fire by Ursula Hegi

A book review

Children and Fire returns to the fictional town of Burgdorf, Germany, depicted in Hegi's masterpiece, Stones from the River. Here the story is more condensed, centering on a single day in February, 1934, though supported by a tale of the main character's origins reaching back to 1899 when her mother traveled from Burgdorf to stay in a shelter for unwed mothers.

Single and childless, Thekla Jansen's passion is teaching. Under Hitler's regime, following her moral convictions as a teacher is a challenge, but she strives to master it. "Messages change, but the teaching of knowledge is sacred. Certainly school knowledge, like botany and geography; but also life knowledge, like proper manners and good posture, deep breathing and - above all - how to adapt." She glides through staff meetings without overtly opposing the Nazis. If certain long-admired poets are banned, she will teach those who are still allowed. If Hitler's mawkish verses are praised, she will subtly steer attention in a more uplifting direction. If a student reveals his father's scorn for Hitler, she protects him with a scolding. "As if 'damn' mattered one damn to me. But this is what she wants her boys to recall when they tell their group leaders or their parents about school: that their teacher scolded Bruno Stosick for saying damn - and not that Bruno's father wants the Führer strung up..."

By day's end, events will careen out of her control, and the self-serving choice Thekla once made will be laid bare for readers. Was it justified? And regardless of the answer, can she redeem herself? Children and Fire is a wrenching novel that shows how difficult it could be for an ordinary good person to navigate the Nazi era. "Until now she had taken for granted that she had moral courage, but suddenly she didn't know if it was possible to defer moral courage, conserve it, and if it would still be there for her..." (2011; 272 pages)