Chapter 2 Fire/Flames

I believe that Mrs. Shaucter was emphasized in this story because she is foreshadowing what will happen to the Jews in the future. She is split up from her family which is what will happen to many Jews in the near future of this book, and she is envisioning fire. The fire can represent two different things. First, it refers to the fire and the flames that burn up the dead bodies in the crematorium. Second, it refers to all the horrendous things that will be happening to the Jews. Nobody believes her about the fire because they can't physically see it which can relate to the Jews not being able to believe what the Nazi's will do to them. They have no idea what torture they are going to face once they are in Auschwitz.