Milkweed By Jerry Spinelli

In the novel, Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli, Misha constantly stays in the “ghetto of the damned,” (Spinelli) for his family. Whether it be to feed the group of lucky orphans, to protect them from the punishment of smuggling, or to simply lift their spirits, Misha sacrifices his freedom for his family. Through Misha’s dialogue and actions, he proves that his family is his tether to the Warsaw Ghetto. Misha Pilsudski, the protagonist living through the Holocaust, and Janina Milgrom, his sister, discover a hole in the wall imprisoning the Warsaw Ghetto. This absence of brick represents freedom from the torturous ghetto, yet they only tastes this luxury. Misha ventures out into the world, only to return with a jar of pickled herrings for Janina’s

When she fails to oblige, he attacks her to prevent her leave. At one point, he, himself, stops stealing food to protect his sister. “As long as we didn't steal food, she was safe,” (Spinelli 135). Again, Misha gives up his freedom for Janina and her family. Misha and Janina go out to gather food one night, yet trip, they find their link to the ghetto cut off. “Do not bring back food tonight. Do not return. Run. Run,” (Spinelli 180). Misha had been prepared for escape, as Janina's father had warned him to leave, yet he did not know it would be so sudden and without his consent. While Misha’s main motivation to stay in the ghetto was his family, he is motivated to leave because of his father’s advice to escape before resettlement. When Hanukkah approaches, Janina’s cheerful and lighthearted facade deteriorates. “She never left the room. She never spoke. She even stopped complaining,” (Spinelli 161). As Hanukkah begins to end, Misha journeys outside the Ghetto in search for pickled egg, Janina’s favorite food, to return her happiness. When traveling to and from the ghetto and Heave, he ignores another chance for liberation from his horrendous living environment and, instead, as a loyal brother, Misha uses his opportunity to help his sister