THE SIEGE-HELEN DUNMORE

BY: ARIYKA & SURABHI

SUMMARY/PLOT-CHAPTER 5
Chapter 5 opens with the description of a satisfying evening for Anna and her family, though the main focus remains on Annas nightmare. (during the nightmare)Her father narrates an old story on General Hunter and General Winter, metaphorically significant of Hitler and Stalin, as they talk on how to outdo the human race, unpleasantly reminding themselves of how they couldnt do it without the humans themselves. The readers understand that this chapter reveals the the course of the story, predicting war and bloodshed. The readers are greatly displeased to learn about the cruel intentions of the two generals and perceive this to be a warning . The next day, while Anna is doing her daily work, a neighbor (Darya Alexandrovna) informs Anna that the Germans have declared war and is unable to spare any honey. The chapter comes to an end as Anna fears lacking supplies, being miles away from Leningrad. The readers are saddened to further learn about the condition of the common families in the country and their deprived state during war preparations. The readers also admire Annas hard work to support the family and remain self sufficient.

CHARACTERS
Mikhail is seen to be a realist as he informs Anna about the future through the narration of his stories Anna continues to carry out daily activities without the slightest of knowledge of what to expect in the near future. Darya Alexandrovna, a new character is introduced as Annas neighbor who seems to be on rocky terms with Mikhail. She informs Anna of the war and expresses her discomfort at the thoughts of her relatives being sent to fight.

STRIKING LINES
It seems nothing special at the time If only shed known at the time how important every detail of that evening was going to become Knows the story by heart When the French invaded Russia His fingers were daggers of ice He loved them all, because he had power over them Cheeks were rosy He was in his element They began to boast of what they could do to their enemies They screw up their eyes and try to focus, but they never see me. They dont realize that its I who have changed their eyesight Pinned to their beds Burns up food like a stove

He melts faster then a candle, in my hands. His muscles waste away No one eats himself up quicker then a fit young man If I cant finish them off on my own, I groom them for my friends I am closer to them than they are to themselves They can think of no one else My dear cousin I seize it I scorch their skin to red and purple, I blacken it I freeze the seas so they cannot travel I make them slow, and miserable, and afraid My greatest power lies in the fact that each year they forget how strong I am His face was dark with thought

Without the help they give us, we could do nothing Meaty palms Together, we will be invincible From that time on, they have always worked together Its a true story But its good to hear him whistling like that Its war. Theyve attacked, the devils, just when we werent expecting them As if to spirit away the words that have just left her lips Of course its the Germans Words tumbling out of her mouth like betrayed secrets war doesnt belong her, in the country. War. Everything will change.

Then she goes pale, obviously realizing that a different construction could be put to her words. Shes dropped her guard in the panic of the moment Fascists Like the way old people on the village thank God every second sentence, if they havent been taught show backward it is But why werent we? Why didnt those high -up ones know anything? Writers are useless articles, in her opinion. What a fool I am, wasting time, standing here talking to you.

SUMMARY/PLOT CHAPTER 6
This chapter mainly focuses on the accounts of Mikhail. The readers get to know more about the character of Mikhail, and his perspective about current events as he indulges himself in thought as he walks around his city. Dunmore portrays the discomfort of the people on their freedom of speech under the government, and the pain and blunder that came along with the war. The readers can sense the confusion and uneasiness felt by Mikhail as he ponders about what the future holds, foreseeing something possibly wrong and disastrous in the days to come. The chapter unleashes the weakness of the once strong city, and the anxious and sorry state of its people in these dark and shady times.

CHARACTERS
Mikhail Ilyich Levin- This chapter reveals Mikhail's deepest inner thoughts to the readers as he portrays his feelings through his writing. The readers understand him to play a crucial part in the coming events of the story as he foretells the future of his beautiful city.

STRIKING LINES
It never ceases to amaze me that people can hold two completely opposed beliefs at the same time, without feeling the slightest sense of contradiction. The bulletins may not be good, but thats only temporary. And we both believe this, and dont believe it. Prices in the market are doubling and trebling. My poor Anna Usually these turn out to be only rumors To expensive for us to buy them For once our lack of money was a blessing Its hard enough to hold on to it Evacuation is starting

I havent got the slightest faith in our organization Thered be a quick glance round, perhaps a whispered, Havent you heard? Your colleague had evaporated But here we are, looking into the face of something even more terrifying than the misery weve been able to pile up for ourselves. Thats what war means Doing things without understanding why youre doing them Along time later, if youre lucky, someone comes along and writes things down so that they make sense, and calls his story history. So I keep on writing No bombing so far Are we going to get the same? Nothing stops her Its nothing like the light of a June day And yet nothing happens. We are all waiting.

Leningrad still floats in its usual sea of summer calm That still seems like reality War is the dream from which we could wake, if we made enough effort. You need to be outside the experience, not caught inside it. And for once it seems Im caught inside. It was as beautiful as before It seemed to be asking for our protection You know that all my masterpieces are built on bones, but I am human, too. And he drove it back. He played his part. He saved Russia, theres no arguing with that. You are stone. You are safe inside history. The times are scared, and so are we. If only I could forget what the human blood smells like. Hot, and rank.

Maybe thats why you are still holding out your sword. But you dont do such things, unless you want to get carted away. Black crows Each step I took seemed to give me the strength of a hundred more. Peoples volunteers Strange how the name of a river can suddenly turn into a defense system. Thats where well stop them Im still elated Its lying there, beautiful and naked, asking for my protection. Mine!- as if I mean anything As I said, Whatever happens now, those frozen years are over.