Do you think Helen did enough during the war to protect the innocent? Do you think she could have been more helpful if she had remained in Austria or returned to America?

Helen says she wishes she could have done more during the war to protect innocent lives, but she saved eleven children with her relief effort in Switzerland. Do you think she did enough? Do you think she could have been more helpful if she had remained in Austria or returned to America?

Helen is to be praised for her work in saving children in Switzerland but had she been in California and in contact with Rosie, she might have been able to change her life for the better.

Helen was indispensable in her role as a nanny for several families as well as offering help in saving children in Switzerland. She can’t be faulted for not being with her family in America since she felt she was doing what was best for herself.
I feel unsure that Helen would have been able to help with Rosie’s situation in the psychiatric hospital since Rosie was unwilling to name the father of her child. In a perfect world, I suppose Rosie could have left the Calvert’s home and lived with Helen(had Helen stayed in America) for the duration of her pregnancy. But as we read, the world was far from perfect.

I think Helen lived her life well and did all she could to protect innocent lives. Perhaps, in America, she could have helped Rosie more but there are always choices to make, with so many unknowns and effects. I felt the way the author handled this was touching and realistic.

The scope of Helen’s work to protect and save lives during the war was a complex undertaking that involved courage, bravery and skill. I have no doubt that Helen would have helped Rosie when she was pregnant and/or housed in the asylum and that Helen would have used her skill and courage to help Rosie. I think Helen’s decision to stay in Austria and help save the lives of so many children was the right decision.

Helen did above and beyond what any ordinary person would've done. It takes courage to save even 1 child in those circumstances, especially knowing she was risking her life, yet she saved 11 children -- that's more than admirable!

I think Helen remaining in Austria was the right move, as she was doing what she felt called to do (being a nanny), plus, as others mentioned, there's no guarantee that she would've been able to help Rosie if she had been there. I feel the way the author presented the story as it unfolded was perfect.

I agree with Lee, Jill, and others, putting her life at risk to save children should be celebrated. I think in hindsight, we often wish we had done more. But many people didn't take any chances to save others.

Perhaps had she been in California, Truman might have turned to his sister for help. But his wife was domineering in their relationship.