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Antonina's Son, Ryszard is born
Summary: Antonina gives birth to her first son
Type of Event (positive): This event gives a positive impact on her in which she becomes more of a mother, now that she takes care of both her son and the animals with equal love for both.
Theme Relation: The event connects to the theme statement that people shouldn't change from their true personality in which she doesn't even when she gives birth to her son and treats the animals all the same. -
The War Begins
Summary The War starts as Poland stands in the way of the Germans in their takeover. Antonina begins to worry about the future of her family and the zoo.
Type of Event (Turning Point): Antonina immediately is put in a dangerous situation with the Germans as the war begins from when she was peacefully with her animals.
Theme Relation: This event relates to the theme people shouldn't change from their true personality as even as the war starts, she doesn't despair but rather thinks about others. -
Bombings in Poland
Summary: Antonina rushes into the city with Ryszard and runs into a building with others as they try to escape the bombings happening in Poland
Type of Event (Negative): This event poses a negative impact on Antonina as she finds no empathy and anger towards the Germans for tarnishing her child's experience.
Theme Relation: This event relates to the theme of that people shouldn't change from tragedy since Antonina struggles to keep herself from feeling anger towards others for their mistakes. -
The "Guests" Arrive to the Zoo
Summary: The Jews, in hiding from the Germans, are sent to the the Zabiniski's zoo as refugees from the underground. Antonina welcomes them with open arms.
Type of Event (Positive): Antonina continues to accept and help others even after losing her animals (most of them). This supports her belief in helping everyone no matter what.
Theme Relation: This relates to the theme because even after the bombings and the Germans taking the animals, she still is willing to help others without hesitation. -
Antonina is Crippled
Summary: Antonina recieves a bad infection in her legs called phlebitis and with her pregnancy, she is unable to move or even walk.
Type of Event (Negative): Antonina begins to despair as she feels useless and non-helpful in her current state and this supports her constant need to help others even in the horrible state she is in.
Theme Relation: This relates to the theme in which she doesn't grow angry or lazy from her injury but rather is remorse in that she can't help anyone in this state. -
The Deterioration of the Family Underground
Summary: Tensions rise at the zoo as the boys are planning to attack the German army and protest in which they risk the exposure of what the zoo is doing.
Type of Event (Negative): Antonina tries to put a stop to their acts and changes her perspective of the danger they are in, even in her crippled state.
Theme Relation: Antonina keeps up her helpful and cheerful personality throughout the Jew's stay at the zoo even after they threaten the exposure of the entire zoo. -
Antonina's Daughter, Teresa, is Born
Summary: Antonina gives brith to her daughter in which she names Teresa. This turns to be a symbol of hope in the dark times they face.
Type of Event (Positive): Antonina is relieved to give birth to her daughter where she continues to have the motherly personality even after all they have been through.
Theme Relation: Even with all that they have been through, Antonina gives birth to her daughter while all the same time, being the one to run the household at the zoo. -
Jan is sent to the POW camp
Summary: After suffering a wound Jan is shipped to a German POW camp where Antonina and the others begin to worry as they try to search for where Jan is being kept at.
Type of Event (negative): Antonina keeps a level head and despite her panic continues to keep up her cheerful attitude and helpfulness.
Theme Relation: Antonina doesn't let the news of Jan's capture rattle her and change her from who she really is, which is a motherly figure that wants to help no matter what. -
A Person Should Never Change One's Own True Personality
Antonina is shown to go through so much hardships and experiences, but even then she never lets that change her helpful and cheery personality through and through from the bombing to the time she got an infection and suffered in bed. Antonina shows that no matter what happens, a person will always would and should keep their true personality.
