How Can The Human Spirit Triumph Over The Destructive Actions Of Others
By Marguerite Vichier-Guerre
Horseheads Middle School
8th Grade
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli shows how the human spirit can triumph over the destructiveness of others. It is about how people can stay together and hope and believe that things will improve, staying optimistic even in the most difficult times and inspiring others to do the same. Even the smallest thing like milkweed can bring hope and encouragement to live on and never give up.
In Milkweed, a twelve-year-old boy, Misha Pilsudski, survives the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. During WWII Jews were being discriminated against because of their religion and culture. Misha reaches out to the Jewish people and with his optimistic attitude, he gives them hope and inspires them not to give up. Misha accepts who he is whether that is a thief, a gypsy or a Jew. No one can label him, not a friend or an armband. He looks at things optimistically and helps others to do the same. When the Jews are being marched into the Ghetto and packed into small rooms with only the possessions they could carry, Misha looks at it as a parade. When there are more dead, lifeless bodies lying on the ground each day and others begin to lose hope, Misha believes that each person has their own angel, who would take them to a place where they will be happier – Heaven.
Many people in the Ghetto suffered from malnutrition and many times they went without anything. Misha left the Ghetto at night through a hole in the bricks to get food for the orphaned Jews and for his family. He sacrificed the food he stole for others. In the Ghetto Misha began to live with the Milgroms, a Jewish family. He became so much a part of them that he thought himself no longer a gypsy but a Jew. When the Nazis threatened to kill any smugglers they caught, Misha still went out. Even after his friend was hung for smuggling, Misha still left to steal food so his family wouldn’t starve.
Even in the face of all the harsh conditions and cruel treatment the Jews suffered from, they still celebrated their holidays. Even though their family was starving and Mrs. Milgrom had just died, they came together with the little they had and celebrated, Hanukkah. They sang and lit the silver menorah, one of the few possessions the family had brought with them. The next day it was stolen. Even though the candleholder was gone, it didn’t keep them from celebrating. In place of the menorah, Mr. Milgrom took a candle stub and gave it to Misha to hold. When the candle burned away, they used the warmth of their hearts to represent the candle flames.
When Misha and Janina Milgrom saw the milkweed plant growing out of a heap of rubble, it was like a dream. It was the only sign of plant life in the Ghetto. Its beautiful green leaves with white puffs were like an angel to Janina. The milkweed was a symbol of new hope and life, which brought happiness too. The human spirit alone can triumph over the destructive actions of others. Even though there is suffering and death all around, people can come together to support each other with hope. They pushed themselves to believe, and stay optimistic. Misha is always looking to the brighter side of things, and inspires others to be determined, even when it is hardest. Like Misha, we should all help people with generosity, look to the brighter side of things with faith, and inspire others to do the same thing.