Children can be greatly affected by war or fighting of any type. When children are caught in the middle of war, they can experience a lot of trauma from what they witness. In war, they are exposed to death, violence, and conflict. This devastation can affect the rest of their lives. War can also lead to children becoming orphaned. As a result, they may lose their family and become forced to create new connections. This is certainly true for many of the characters in Salt to the Sea, a novel by Ruta Sepetys. The characters have all lost family in some way and together they must work together to heal developing friendships along the way. The devastation created by the war definitely impacted their lives.
One example of the impact of war on children in Salt to the Sea is seen in the character Klaus, a young German refugee who feels extreme loneliness after his grandmother's death. He struggles to survive in a world torn apart by conflict due to war. He faces constant danger from the war around him and is traumatized by the experience causing him not to speak too
…show more content…
Throughout the novel, Emilia struggles to protect the baby from the dangers around her from the war. However, she is determined to protect her child no matter what. Emilia continues to hold on to the belief that there is still good in the world and that things will eventually get better despite the devastation the war has caused. The baby is a symbol of Emilia's own survival during challenging times and the importance of her Polish heritage. The baby is a reminder of how fragile life can be and how important it is to protect the well being of children in the most devastating of times. By continually looking for good and fighting for the future during the war, children like Emilia and her baby represent great resilience, strength and hope for a better