The excerpt from Jennifer A. Nielsen's A Night Divided primarily illustrates how East German citizens felt trapped by the wall. The description of the Grenzers standing guard and the ominous presence of the barbed wire fence conveys a sense of entrapment and oppression. The narrative emphasizes that the border police are not watching the westerners; rather, they are focused on preventing East German citizens from escaping. This creates a powerful image of confinement and control, highlighting the fear and helplessness felt by those living in East Germany.
While the text may imply that some level of expectation existed regarding a wall being built, the overwhelming sentiment conveyed is one of despair and imprisonment. Additionally, the idea that the wall made East German citizens feel safe is contradicted by the tone of fear and vigilance depicted in the passage. Therefore, the most accurate interpretation of how the novel builds on the historical reality of the Berlin Wall is that it illustrates how East German citizens felt trapped by the wall.