Book Summary47 Days, by Annette Oppenlander

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of 47 Days

The impact of war on family and home life

Oppenlander vividly depicts the disruption of familial and domestic stability caused by the Second World War within Germany. The persistent menace of conflict and the looming possibility of harm, along with the grief of losing family members, fostered an atmosphere of dread and unpredictability that deeply impacted individuals and their families.

The family was deeply affected by the conscription of the father.

The father's conscription threw their well-structured daily life and feeling of safety into disarray. This sudden departure highlights the jarring disruption war brings into personal lives, forcing families to adapt to a new reality.

The family's routine and sense of security are shattered when the head of the household decides to enlist in the military, setting the stage for his forthcoming departure.

Oppenlander depicts the fragile peace surrounding Lilly and her relatives just before the war fully engulfs their existence. A seven-year-old girl named Lilly, who shares a strong bond with her father, notices his peculiar actions upon receiving his conscription letter. He meticulously readies his attire with an uncharacteristic sense of urgency. This subtle shift signals the impending disruption to their family.

The writer highlights the established patterns of the household and the significance of consistency in their existence. Their home is a place where order reigns supreme, with clothing kept in immaculate condition and meals consumed at designated times. The conscription of their father into the armed forces unsettles the household, throwing their future into uncertainty. Lilly's innocent inquiries regarding his comeback underscore her profound worries and presage the extended parting and psychological strain their family will endure due to the conflict.

Context

• The departure of the primary breadwinner can lead to financial instability, forcing families to adapt to new economic realities, such as finding alternative sources of income or relying on community support.
• Conscription, or mandatory military service, was a common practice during times of war, particularly in the 20th century. It often led to significant disruptions in family life as men were called to serve, leaving behind their civilian roles and responsibilities.
• The father's meticulous preparation can be seen as a coping mechanism to manage anxiety and fear about the unknowns of war and separation from his family.
• The setting likely reflects a time when societal norms emphasized strict household routines, possibly during a period of economic or social stability before the war.
• The stress of having a family member in the military can lead to long-term psychological effects, including anxiety and depression, for both the enlisted individual and their family.
• The departure of a family member, especially a parent, can significantly alter family roles and responsibilities, often placing additional emotional and practical burdens on those who remain.

The mother's struggle entailed managing the household on her own and simultaneously attending to the needs of her offspring.

The mother alone bears the sole responsibility for the upkeep of the home and the welfare of her offspring. Oppenlander illustrates how the matriarch strives to keep the household running smoothly, ensures the acquisition of necessary supplies, and preserves an atmosphere of routine for her children while the turmoil of war intensifies around them.

The matriarch now shoulders the burden of domestic tasks, financial obligations, and raising her children on her own.

Her anxiety deepens when she fully understands the implications of her husband's disappearance. She openly expresses her worry about managing the household and raising two young children alone. Oppenlander illuminates the wartime existence, characterized by the stringent rationing guidelines, the pervasive noise of air raid alarms, and the isolation experienced within a deserted apartment complex.

The author depicts the mother's escalating sense of isolation and vulnerability as the conflict persists. August expresses his concern for her well-being and safety, highlighting his disagreement with their father's decision to enlist in the armed forces. The author highlights how war divides family opinions and underscores the psychological toll on women when their male family members are drafted into military service.

Practical Tips

• Develop a personal financial plan that includes setting aside funds for emergency needs and...

47 Days Summary The indoctrination and militarization of German youth

Oppenlander illuminates the process by which the Nazi regime systematically indoctrinated German youth, molding them into obedient instruments for participation in armed combat. The initiative that became known as the Hitler Youth transformed into a powerful tool for instilling nationalistic values and preparing young men for military involvement.

The initiative was designed to cultivate a sense of national pride and instill military discipline in young individuals, and it was referred to as the Hitler Youth.

The writer depicts the brutal truths experienced by Gunter within the program for young followers of Hitler. She portrays the program as one that rigorously enforces physical discipline, absolute uniformity, and steadfast allegiance to the regime of the Nazis.

The young recruits were subjected to rigorous discipline and required to follow the rules with precision while being indoctrinated into the Hitler Youth organization.

Oppenlander uses vivid descriptions to convey how the minds of the young were molded and influenced by the Hitler Youth. Günter’s first encounter with the program reveals the group's strict adherence to hierarchy, their emphasis on physical...

47 Days Summary The choice to resist and confront the authoritarian dominance imposed by the Nazi government.

Oppenlander's novel explores the complex choices available to Germans under Nazi rule. While some individuals, like Lilly's father, endorse the regime's ideology and actively participate in its armed campaigns, others choose to resist the establishment, incurring considerable dangers by doing so.

The family patriarch chose to comply with the draft, even though his relatives harbored doubts

Lilly's father chooses to respect the call to service, considering it a duty to his nation, despite the concern it causes among his loved ones. The author delves into the justifications and thought processes of individuals who supported the Nazi government.

The father justifies his enlistment as a duty he is compelled to perform for his country.

Lilly's father embraces the Nazi rhetoric of national duty and personal sacrifice. He tries to comfort his family by downplaying the risks and asserting with confidence that the conflict will conclude quickly and triumphantly. He emphasizes the regime's propaganda that reinforced Germany's power and highlighted the importance of individual contributions to the war effort.

The writer delicately reveals the inherent fallacies and...

47 Days Summary The grave consequences and realities of resisting the Nazi authority.

The perilous voyage of Günter and Helmut underscores the risks encountered by individuals who were bold enough to challenge the authority of the Nazis. Oppenlander realistically portrays their constant struggle for survival, the ever-present fear of capture, and the emotional and physical toll of their ordeal.

Günter and Helmut confront peril and jeopardy as they dodge the officials and endeavor to endure independently.

Oppenlander depicts the atmosphere of suspicion and fear that permeated wartime Germany. Günter and Helmut must constantly be on alert, assume new identities, and steer clear of any interactions that could lead to their exposure by the authorities. The author skillfully builds a story brimming with suspense by depicting interactions with members of the notorious security organization and the ever-present threat of brutality, creating an atmosphere of constant danger.

The youths witness firsthand the brutality of the regime: individuals are put to death for simply picking up leaflets that hint at surrender, arbitrary executions of those charged with treachery, and the pervasive presence of spies and informants in their communities. They navigate a...