Let's discuss the theme of suffocating which is repeated through the story.

Fenna was suffocated both literally and metaphorically throughout the story. Other than the staircase, what are some of the other ways she was suffocated.

Because Fenna was working as a spy I'm assuming that she always felt somewhat suffocated in her actions and thoughts. Continually having to hide from the police in the streets would be one example. Of course she also felt suffocated when she had to hide with Evelien. Her own fears of suffocating after the stair incident often paralyzed her actions when she needed to act quickly - hiding in the subway station after an air raid for example.

Relationships as well as environments can be suffocating. The orphanage entire set up was one of confinement and suffocation. There was no freedom of choice, no ability to exert your free will. Charles and Fenna’s relationship in the magic act was in a way suffocating her. Arie too, was a bit overbearing and confining. Arie’s mother was also overbearing and created an environment of restriction and judgement. So while the staircase incident, air raid tunnels, laundry cart, and secret lumber compartment were literal and physical instances of potential suffocation the act of constraining the soul, free will, or self determination also presents a type of suffocation. One all women have to face.

It is interesting to think about when she was paralyzed by her fear of suffocation (subway station) when when she was almost empowered by it (hiding with Evelien). I am wondering about your thoughts of when Fenna was a spy - while suffocating/constricting/etc, I also felt like she had a good bit of freedom with the development of her craft and the respect she gained from that, as well as breaking into a traditionally male domain.

The idea of her free will being constricted is also one I want to think about some more. My initial impression was that she had significant free will in that she walked away from her marriage, her magic act, and later, her assignment when looking for Arie. In fact, I really though she was quite impulsive.

These are some really interesting perspectives that I am eager to think about!!

Her fear of suffocation from her early trauma probably sets up PTSD, so when in closed claustrophobic situations she has panic attacks. And she runs.