Throughout the narrative, the author highlights the characters’ struggles with the morality of their actions, particularly when it comes to resisting oppression. Those dilemmas emphasize the challenges of resistance efforts as well as the complexity of human nature. This theme is developed through Meg’s growing maturity and experience as she comes to terms with the fact that the world cannot be reduced to a mere black-and-white view.

At the beginning of the book, Meg’s compassion for her fellow townspeople is made evident, for instance, when she empathizes with a woman complaining about the price of her produce: “She truly was a kind woman, so if she had become angry with me so easily, things must have become very difficult at home” (17). This acknowledgment demonstrates that Meg is able to recognize that a person’s actions do not define their whole identity. However, she initially does not extend the same sympathy toward German people because she views them as inherent enemies. This leads to Jakob later asking her not to conflate his entire country with the Nazis: “‘The Nazis are evil, not the Germans.’ I shrugged. ‘Is there a difference?’ ‘Yes, Meg. There is’” (58).

At first, Meg views people (and groups) as morally good or evil, depending on which side of the war they are.