In "Salt to the Sea," author Ruta Sepetys portrays memory as both a source of suffering and of comfort for the characters. While memories provide some characters with a sense of belonging and identity, they also expose past traumas and injustices that lead to emotional pain and suffering. First off, Sepetys demonstrates how comforting memories can be for people like Joana and Emilia by reuniting them with their families and cultural roots. Moreover, several people in the book experience pain because of their memories. Ultimately, some characters are tormented by the shame and remorse brought on by their past transgressions. For characters like Joana and Emilia, Sepetys shows that their memories serve as a source of comfort, connecting them …show more content…
Florian's memories of his involvement with the Nazi party and his complicity in the destruction of Jewish homes and businesses cause him significant distress, leading him to seek redemption through his actions. The refugees have caused conflict in Florian's memories, thoughts, and personal identity. Sepetys portrays Florian “the German” as an individual who has been affected by past trauma which has unknowingly brought upon issues of trust, care and anger. Florian "the German," as he is portrayed by Sepetys, has unknowingly developed trust, care, and rage problems as a result of prior trauma. When Florian thinks back to the moment "Ingrid" plunged through "the ice," he is constantly plagued by feelings of shame and insecurity. He thinks “It could[ve] been so easy” to let the “group” attempt to “save the blind girl” as “they all would have drowned in the process”. Sepetys conveys Florian's intense battle to allow himself to open up to fellow "refugees" by using dubious language and flashbacks to earlier experiences. This brick wall Florian has constructed serves as a form of defence once the reader learns of the mistrust and dishonesty from Dr Lange in past memories. Sepetys demonstrates the character development of Florian as well as the weight of guilt and humiliation that his memories bring with them and how they influence him now. Furthermore, some characters carry the