How does Gundi's self-image get in the way of her first attempts to find Leo and get to know him?

How does Gundi's self-image get in the way of her first attempts to find Leo and get to know him?

I thought this was a pretty interesting plot element. Gundi was attractive - the German ideal - and was used to people falling all over themselves to befriend her. She was a bit taken aback that Leo didn't feel honored to be spoken to by her, and that he might have been the first male to not immediately fall for her charms. Indeed, that might have been the attraction in the first place.

In addition, I think she was unaware of her "gentile privilege" until she got to know more about Leo's family.

It was reminded of my reaction at the start of the BLM movement. It was a real wakeup call once someone took the time to explain "white privilege" to me. I've since come to recognize all the advantages I've had because of my race, and I feel like Gundi experienced a similar awakening on getting to know Leo.

I think it was the first time that Gundi had to work at getting someone to respond to her and this made Leo a challenge for her. She had never had to think beyond anyone's first impression and acceptance of her.

I agree with both of the above. Gundi was so accustomed to being pretty that she took it for granted, just as she took for granted being a gentile. Felling in love with Leo really awakened her for the first time to what the Jewish population was going through.

You have all "hit the nail on the head" re Gundi. I wonder how many other future resistance fighters were like her. Looking around at today, I have to come to the conclusion that most people in Gundi's situation wouldn't have been as intrigued by Leo; they'd just assume something was wrong with him.

I agree with everyone else - this was the first time that she had to work at being accepted. Plus she really didn't understand what was going on with the Jewish people in Germany at the time until she got to know Leo's family

I agree with everyone else - she never had to try to be accepted into the crowd she usually ran with and, with Leo not being very trusting, she had to work a bit harder at it.