Structural Patterns

The author uses symbolism between pages 26,185, and 193-194. On page 26, the author translates the name of the Hubermann's street for the reader. The street name is "Himmel" which translates to "Heaven." This concept may be found as ironic for the first third of the novel because Himmel Street seems to be everything but Heaven due to the less fortunate living circumstances and Rosa's attitude; however, page 185 changes the irony. The narrator states on page 185, "Max Vandenburg, the Jew, closed his eyes and drooped a little furter into safety" Max has just entered the Hubermann's household, his safe haven. When the narrator is describing the last time Max saw his mother on pages 193-194, he states, "From a drawer, she [Max's mother] took an old piece of paper and stuffed it in his jacket pocket. '....This could be your last hope.'" Page 194 informs the reader the paper had Hans Hubermann's name and address on it, thus the author is now demolishing the irony between Himmel Street and it's meaning. The author is enforcing that Himmel Street, though rough on the outside, and perhaps not quite to people's liking, is a safe, loving place compared to the other places in Nazi Germany.