It was Sunday, August 13, 1961, a day I would remember for the rest of my life. When a prison had been built around us as we slept.

Lines of Grenzers—our nickname for the border police, the Grenztruppen—stood guard along a fence of thorny wire, in some places higher than their heads, and for as far as my eyes could see. They stood like iron statues with stern expressions and long rifles in their hands. It was obvious that anyone who tried to cross would get far worse than a rip in their clothes. Because Grenzers didn't face the westerners on the other side of the fence. They watched us.
From Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided. Copyright 2015 by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The previous text suggested that the Berlin Wall was built to prevent people from fleeing East Germany. How does this historical novel build on or challenge that idea?
it suggest east German citizens had expected a wall to be built.
it demonstarates how the wall made east German citizens feel safe.
it illustrates how east German citizens felt trapped by the wall.

1 answer

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.