What do other characters think of Helen's stubbornness regarding the Germans? What does her stubbornness cost her? Do you think you would be as resistant in her place?

Helen refuses to interact with the Germans in any capacity. What do other characters think of her stubbornness? What does her stubbornness cost her? Do you think you would be as resistant in her place?

I’m having a hard time addressing this question because stubbornness isn’t a word that resonates with me in the case of Helen nor am I sure it applied in the case of her family either. She was pregnant. Her husband was at war, then MIA, then dead. She may have been narrow-minded in her feelings about the German POWS but in her mind, this was likely a rational feeling, and I think her family understood that point. While they wanted her to join in on the various gatherings and activities, they appeared to allow her space and support in dealing with the depth of her fear, her despair, and her feelings with regards to the POWs. Yes, maybe if she had participated, her feelings about the German POWs might have changed like her mother’s and others in the community. Honestly, if I had been in Helen’s place, I don’t know if I would acted differently.

I see this as a many layered situation. I thought about this a lot and I don't see it as "stubbornness" either. When you deal with tragedy and/or lose someone, you need to find your own way to deal with anything that could be a "trigger" for your feelings. Helen needed to hold herself together for her child. I thought the author did a great job with this and made it very real and complex, just like it actually is in life. It seemed to me that although Helen's family may not have always understood or agreed with Helen, they were supportive and thoughtful of Helen's feelings. That's just what I would have wanted from family.

I agree with Gabi. I have nothing but sympathy for Helen and I can’t bring myself to judge her. How should she react? How willing would I be to reach out or engage with those who stood for the conflict that led to imprisonment and eventual death of my husband. I can’t even consider that I would have behaved any differently than she did. I think the Brown’s recognized her situation and accepted and supported her as best they could.

I agree with all of the earlier comments. She probably needed to get to know some of the prisoners and realize that they are not the enemy. But with her husband MIA, she needs to blame someone and the prisoners are from the country that the United States is fighting so it makes sense that she wouldn't want anything to do with them. I wouldn't call her stubborn I think this was her way of dealing with the grief that she was feeling.