English 9: Between Shades of Gray Chapters 22-28

Journey Duration

• Six weeks of travel is noted by Lina.

Train Conditions

• Lina describes the people in the train car, commenting on their unpleasant sour breath.

Mother’s Gesture

• Mother applies lipstick, indicating her desire to present herself attractively in potentially her last days.

Surroundings

• They find themselves in a wide, deep valley encircled by forested hills.

Perception of Movement

• Lina observes that the people appear to move in slow motion, emphasizing their fatigue.

Act of Kindness

• Lina gives a wounded man her handkerchief, hoping the message reaches her father.

Guards' Actions

• Guards are seen transporting people away in horse-drawn wagons.

Threat of Enslavement

• There's an implication that those taken by guards could be sold into slavery.

Family Bonds

• Mrs. Arvydas clings to her son, Andrius, as he is her last connection, illustrating her love and desperation.

Mother's Concerns

• Mother attempts to remove her lipstick to avoid undesired attention from officers.

Escape Decision

• The group decides against escaping due to their collective weakness and exhaustion.

Enslavement Plans

• People are being purchased with intentions of making them slaves.

Andrius's Surprise

• Andrius is surprised that his mother has survived this long, noting her gentleness.

Criteria for Survival

• High power seems to be a determining factor for inclusion on a survival list.

Flashback Incident

• Lina recalls a time when Papa was upset with her drawings criticizing Stalin, fearing the consequences.

Strength in Numbers

• Despite being outnumbered, Lithuanians refrain from uprising due to exhaustion.

Soldiers' Conversations

• Lina perceives the soldiers' conversations as devoid of familial warmth, showcasing the harsh environment.

Destination Post-Exit

• Their immediate destination after exiting is the Bathhouse.

Guards’ Vigilance

• Guards stand watch while women prepare for showers, indicating a controlled environment.

Mother's Reaction

• Mother is concerned that Lina’s sigh could attract negative attention from the officers.

Focus on Others

• Mother prioritizes helping others over herself, signaling urgency during challenging times.

Hope and Memory

• Keeping the memory of home alive is essential for hope and eventual return.

Safety Indicator

• The provision of showers suggests they are not facing immediate death.

Disturbing Presence

• Lina feels troubled by the gaze of an NKVD officer while undressed.

Ona’s Fate

• Ona is shot by an officer for her nonconformity in behavior during the shower ordeal.

Protecting Jonas

• Andrius covers Jonas’s eyes to shield him from the traumatic sight of violence.

Child’s Fear

• Jonas expresses worry about death amidst their dire circumstances.

New Living Conditions

• They are taken to a collective farming area for their new life.

Family Cohesion

• Andrius keeps close to his mother, indicating a desire for familial unity.

Shack Living Arrangements

• They discover that their living spaces must be shared with existing occupants.

Dehumanizing Labels

• A woman derogatorily refers to them as "Filthy Criminals."

Work Ethic Perspective

• The belief is expressed that feisty individuals are better workers due to their courage in facing challenges.

Definition of "Kolkhoz"

• "Kolkhoz" refers to a collective farm, highlighting the agricultural setting of their new life.

Test your knowledge of Chapters 22 to 28 from 'Between Shades of Gray' with these flashcards. Focus on key details and character insights as you explore Lina's experiences during her harrowing journey. Perfect for Freshmen studying under O'Reilly.