How are Rosie's and Helen's stories linked thematically? How are they separate?

How are Rosie's and Helen's stories linked thematically? How are they separate?

Both Rosie and Helen are exposed to bias against disabilities or perceived disabilities, as well as misinformation and misunderstanding about these disabilities. In Rosie's case, she fights back to thwart the forces conspiring against her in California. Helen's situation seems more dire as she is in Nazi-occupied Austria where the fuhrer's policies are cruel and inhumane. There seems to be less that Helen can do to change the outcome. Both women appear to face insurmountable challenges, but continue to fight the powers of prejudice and ignorance, and both eventually meet collaborators who assist them in achieving peace and happiness.

It was easier to see the ways Helen and Rosie were linked. The value of life is a theme that linked Rosie and Helen. For Rosie it is played out as she deals with the issues related to sysnesthesia and sterilization while for Helen, it is played out as she struggles with the fuhrer’s decision to do away with those who are weak and a burden on society. Both ultimately deal with the value family, of an individual’s life and who should/should not have a say in whose life is valuable.
The values that they each struggled with throughout their lives seemed parallel with the exception of their romantic life. While Rosie found a loving and faithful husband whose values matched hers, Helen’s three romantic partners were each unfaithful and clearly did not value loving, faithful relationships.