11.

1. 11. • Early on in Walls, Margaret Zassenhaus tell us of a special relationship she has with Miss Brockdorf, who “taught German and history.” Miss Brockdorf was her “favorite teacher” who made Margaret feel special by allowing her to be part of an exclusive “Private Book Club.” It becomes clear early on that Miss Brockdorf and Margaret are intellectually compatible, as they enjoy having “heated discussions” about government. She even assigned Margaret to attend a “rally where Hitler had spoken” in order to gain perspective Miss Brockdorf was a role model, and an important figure for Margaret to look up to, not just because she “interpreted Dr. Jekyll” or analyzed “Geothe’s Faust”, which allowed Margaret to have an outlet for her intellectual capacities, but because she was someone who Margaret could strive to be like. Clearly, Margaret loved Miss Brockdorf. • However, Miss Brockdorf, despite her brilliance as a role model and educator for Margaret, was not immune to the extreme threats facing her and the school from the newly appointed Hitler. Very quickly, and for good reason, Miss Brockdorf put aside her love for debate and subjective analytical thinking in order to preserve her and the students’ safety and well-being. We notice that she is no longer comfortable with Margaret’s free thinking, turning “pale” when Margaret entered the classroom. She warns Margaret to forget “The things we once believed.” Miss Brockdorf becomes frustrated when Margaret answers that it is better to think “objectively” about her country. Although in the end Miss Brockdorf failed to stand up for what she believed in, Margaret did not so easily fold, displaying her courage and refusal to be tyrannized.