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Literary Character Analysis of Lina Vilkas from Between Shades of Gray

Sepetys Ruta’s book, Between Shades of Gray, reflects the medieval periods and how women were treated. The book takes its title from the prevailing conditions the characters endured under the hands of different political leaders, authorities, and the community in general. The first key theme of the book is morality, which according to the author, has filled every part of the world, particularly the era in which the book is set. The other key theme is integrity, portrayed as the guiding light, an absolute requirement for people to overcome oppression and hardships. Integrity is closely connected to them, sacrificing one must make to get what one desire. The book's author communicates most of the intended message through the main character, Lina Vilkas. This essay analyses Lina Vilkas’ resourcefulness, resilience, and compassion.

From the start of the book, Lina portrays her intelligence and ingenuity as she uses her artistic skills to make maps and sketches that ensure her family's survival. Documenting different journeys to ensure she can never forget different routes is a form of resourcefulness that is not common with many characters from the book. For example, Lina makes a chart of their route when they are initially taken from their home by a train. This helps her keep track of where they are heading. As the book's narrator, Lina, stated, "Mother sat beside me, clutching Jonas on her lap. I pulled out my sketchbook and quickly drew a map of our journey…I marked the borders of each country we passed through. We were headed northeast, to Siberia. Our final destination: the Arctic Circle" (Sepetys 11). This quote depicts Lina’s intelligence in creating memories that would save her family in their time of needs

Lina is also resilient in dealing with the difficult life situation she was exposed to. At the age of fifteen, Lina is capable of finding a coping mechanism through art to ensure she does not get consumed by what is happening around her. Lina indicated her narrative voice: “As soon as I found a piece of charcoal, I began to sketch the soldier's face. I didn't want to remember his expression, but it was already etched in my mind” (Sepetys 32). This gives her the...