There are many reasons that authors sometimes choose specific names for specific characters. Sometimes it is because the meaning of the name has an important significance to the character. Other times it is because they were inspired by an actual person throughout history. Whatever the true reason may be, names often define what we are recognized by. In the historical fiction novel, “Prisoner of Night and Fog” by Anne Blankman, all of the characters have a name that is specific to the character and that has a German origin. This may be because a vast majority of the story takes place in Germany and its neighboring European countries.
Gretchen Muller, is the female protagonist in the thrilling romance and adventure story. The name,“Gretchen”,
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The name, “Daniel”, is a masculine name that originated in the Hebrew culture. The meaning of the name is “God is my judge” which fits Daniel because he is a Jew who is fighting to stay alive during World War II. He has a strong belief in Judaism and believes that God will help him through the Holocaust. Evidence: “
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The name, “Adolf”, is a masculine name that has several origins, but mainly a German one. The meaning of the name is “noble wolf”, which does not exactly fit the leader. The noble part could fit the name “Adolf” because he is well respected by most non Jews but he is not a leader yet. To Gretchen he appears as sweet, and the one person she truly can rely on, until her father's murder is uncovered. The description of the name to the character is a matter of opinion and factual views. “ Evidence: “
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(sheknows.com)
Friedrich Walter is a leader of many gangs and criminals throughout Berlin. His name has an orgin in Germany with a meaning of, “merciful leader”. This name partly suits him because he leads a large majorty of the criminals in BErlin, but instead of being merciful, he is a wanted and merciless fugitive. Evidence: “
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