Is salt to the sea based on a true story?

At the center of "Salt To The Sea" is the true story of a doomed German ship, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Late in the war, this one-time cruise ship became part of a massive evacuation of German soldiers and civilians plus refugees from Poland, Lithuania and beyond. All were fleeing the advancing Soviet army.

Is Salt to the Sea based on real people?

Book Summary: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

This inspirational novel is based on a true story from the Second World War. When the German ship the Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk in port in early 1945 it had over 9000 civilian refugees, including children, on board. Nearly all were drowned.

Is Salt to the Sea nonfiction or fiction?

Salt to the Sea is a 2016 historical fiction young adult novel by Ruta Sepetys (book cover illustration and design by Matt Jones i UK). It tells the story of four individuals in World War II who make their way to the ill-fated MV Wilhelm Gustloff.

What does Emilia's pink hat symbolize?

Emilia Stozek wears a pink hat in Salt to the Sea. For her, her hat is a symbol of regeneration that takes place due to the war.

Who got Emilia pregnant in Salt to the Sea?

One of the four narrators, Emilia is a fifteen-year-old girl from Lwów, in southeastern Poland. Emilia's father sent her to safety to the Kleist's farm in East Prussia. There she became pregnant when Russian soldiers raped her. Emilia is a highly perceptive, intuitive young woman who feels deeply connected to nature.

Ruta Sepetys discusses her new novel, SALT TO THE SEA

What does the letter at the end of Salt to the Sea mean?

The letter at the end of "Salt to the Sea" is from a woman who tells Florian that she found Emilia's body on a raft, washed up onto their property. The letter provides closure to those who might want to know what happened to Emilia.

When did Emilia get raped in Salt to the Sea?

The hideous story of her pregnancy unfolds: Frau Kleist, August's mother, gave Emilia to Russian soldiers when they tried to take August's sister. The Kleist family watched as Emilia was “dragged to the cold cellar” and raped (239).

What is the conflict in salt to the sea?

The conflict of Sepetys' Salt to the Sea is the main characters' fight for survival, as Joana, Florian, and Emilia are all refugees seeking to escape... See full answer below.

What motivates Emilia in salt to the sea?

Reuniting with her mother was her motivation. She would slay dragons to get to her. Mother was anchor. Mother was comfort.

What name is on Emilia's identification papers in chapters 83 129?

What name is on Emilia's identification papers in Section 3? Una.

What is Alfred's secret in Salt to the Sea?

Alfred is a delusional seventeen-year-old German soldier. He is the foil to Florian, who upon first meeting Alfred reflects, “This guy is a first-class booby” (177). Due to physical weakness, Alfred was picked over for Hitler Youth and was a late recruit for the military.

Is Salt to the Sea becoming a movie?

Universal Pictures is developing a movie based on Ruta Sepetys' historical novel “Salt to the Sea,” and set up the project with “Transformers” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. The studio won the rights in an auction.

Who was Clara Christensen in Salt to the Sea?

Clara Christensen is a woman who lives with her husband on the coast near the sinking site of the Wilhelm Gustloff. They were the ones who found Emilia's body, but they never knew who she was.

What happened to the Wilhelm Gustloff in Salt to the Sea?

The Wilhelm Gustloff sank after being hit by Russian torpedoes on Jan. 30, 1945. More than 9,000 people died.

Who is Klaus in Salt to the Sea?

Klaus, in Salt to the Sea, is a German boy who turns into a refugee as the rest of the characters of the novel. He feels alone after his grandmother's...

Why is Emilia's Hunter shame?

Hunters are persistent, they patiently await the perfect moment to strike. Emilia Stożek states that “Shame is a hunter”(5). Emilia feels constant shame because she has been raped and impregnated by Russian soldiers, she copes by convincing …show more content…

What did Emilia name her baby in Salt to the Sea?

Emilia insists Florian goes first and takes her baby. Florian leaves his precious pack with Alfred, and the poet gives him his life vest. Emilia sends the little boy when there is room for just one more.

Who is the bravest character in Salt to the Sea?

However, Joana, the girl who protected and nursed the characters shows the most bravery. She defied Nazi beliefs, and saved people from being tortured, and ultimately slaughtered by the cruelty of Hitler's followers.

Who does Emilia remind Joana of in Salt to the Sea?

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Even though Emilia is Polish and Florian is German. Florian allows her to stay with him because she reminds him of his little sister Anni.

What is the climax in Salt to the Sea?

The climax in the story was when all of the main characters heard a loud bang and the lights went out on the ship. This was the climax because the ship had been torpedoed.

Who is the antagonist of Salt to the Sea?

For those familiar with young adult literature about World War II, the antagonist of the story is an unusual one in that of the advancing Soviets. In 1945, Germans realize that things aren't looking good and the Soviets are encroaching closer and closer. Caught between the two sides are millions of refugees.

Is there romance in Salt to the Sea?

'Salt to the Sea' effectively blends World War II history with teen romance. In this World War II story, set during the sunset hours of the terrible conflict, Ruta Sepetys effectively spins a tale that is equal parts romance, thriller, and real life dystopia.

What happens to Florian and Joana at the end of Salt to the Sea?

Joana and Florian get married, raising Emilia's baby and the little boy. The novel ends on a bittersweet note when Florian, twenty-three years later, reads a letter from a woman who discovered Emilia's raft on her beach in Denmark a month after the ship sank.

What year does Salt to the Sea take place?

A group of teenage refugees meet on the road in the chaotic countryside of East Prussia in winter 1945.