Sarah’s Key centers around two central stories of two different characters whose paths eventually intertwine. One is a young, innocent girl, forced into the harsh conditions faced by the Jews whose childhood and innocence are eventually lost. The other is an American-born, French journalist who begins to research the events of the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, opening her eyes to not only the tragic events, but also bringing her to realize her own independence. Sarah is a ten-year-old girl swept up into the midst of World War II as an arrested Jew. She begins the story as curious child, longing for someone to protect her and take her fear away (Rosnay 1-3). One of the first things Sarah does in the novel is when she hides her brother to keep him safe, …show more content…
It’s only hair. Hair will grow back” (Rosnay 81). With Rachel, her new friend, beside her, she also realizes that she is no longer afraid: “She had grown up too much to be afraid anymore. She was no longer a baby” (Rosnay 87-98). Together, Rachel and Sarah manage to escape from the Beaune-la-Rolande. Throughout her entire escape, meeting the Dufare family, and losing Rachel, Sarah holds onto the hope that she will find and save her brother; the hope that she will no longer be alone (Rosnay 132). As Rachel is taken and Sarah hides, she comes out to realize that Jules and Genevieve Dufare saved her life, and, despite her stubborn independence, they do not let her go off to France by herself (Rosnay 132, 142). The audience now gets to see a maturing Sarah, who still has hope but discovers she is not alone. A young girl who is clever and observant enough to get herself of the train by transforming into a typical, happy little girl (Rosnay 149-151). All this hope, however, is shattered in an instant as she finds her little brother’s body in the cupboard (Rosnay 160). After this …show more content…
Zoe is Julia’s eleven-year-old, sarcastic, spunky daughter who stands up for her mother in all situations. Bertrand, on the other hand, despite his charm and looks, is known for getting what he wants, often hurting Julia but later making up for it by “shower[ing] [her] with gifts, flowers, and passionate sex” (Rosnay 42). Their messy relationship is introduced early on as he verbally abuses her, making Julia feel “silly, foolish” for being an American. She starts to question why she puts up with him, a defining question for her character throughout her story (Rosnay 20). As a journalist, Julia is assigned an article on the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup, which she knows little to nothing about (Rosnay 27). While researching, different memories from her past are brought up and the audience learns much of her upbringing, which is greatly different from Sarah’s dark twist of events. Julia grew up in a “happy, sheltered childhood” free from “outbursts” and “scenes” before eventually moving to France on her own (Rosnay 34). Years later, she met Bertrand and had “fallen for him on the spot,” leading them soon to marriage and the pressure to have children. It took six years before Zoe was born due to multiple miscarriages that “left [Julia] distraught” (Rosnay 54). Shortly after beginning her research, she turns to her husband but is quickly shot down