In the Attic - Story Summary and Character Analysis: By Władysław Szpilman
Story Summary
Background
This memoir excerpt takes place during World War II in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, Poland. Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist, is hiding in the ruins of a bombed building to escape the Holocaust. Most Jews had been forced into ghettos and then sent to concentration camps where they were murdered en masse.
Plot Summary
The Discovery: While hiding in an attic, Szpilman is discovered by a German officer. Terrified and exhausted, Szpilman refuses to move, expecting the worst.
The Piano Test: Surprisingly, the officer asks about Szpilman's profession. Upon learning he's a pianist, the officer leads him to a piano and asks him to play. Despite his fear and his fingers being stiff from lack of practice, Szpilman plays Chopin's Nocturne in C sharp minor.
An Unexpected Alliance: The officer, moved by the music, decides to help Szpilman. He provides food, suggests a better hiding place in a loft above the attic, and promises to return with supplies.
Sustained Help: Over several weeks, the German officer secretly brings Szpilman bread and other necessities. During their final meeting on December 12th, he brings warm bedding and tells Szpilman he's leaving Warsaw with his detachment.
The War's End: Szpilman endures the harsh winter alone, listening to artillery fire and the sounds of the war's end. When Warsaw is liberated, he faces a new danger - being mistaken for a German soldier because of the military coat the officer had given him.
Liberation: Polish soldiers nearly shoot Szpilman, thinking he's German. Only after shouting "I'm Polish!" and explaining his situation do they realize their mistake. After six years of hiding and fear, Szpilman finally walks free through Warsaw's streets.
Character Analysis
Władysław Szpilman - The Protagonist
Physical Condition:
- Malnourished and weakened from years of hiding
- Dirty, with uncut nails and stiff fingers from lack of piano practice
- Wearing tattered clothes, later a German military coat for warmth
Personality Traits:
- Resilient: Survives nearly six years of persecution and hiding
- Determined: Refuses to leave his hiding place even when offered safer alternatives
- Artistic: Music remains central to his identity even in desperate circumstances
- Grateful: Remembers kindness and wants to repay the officer who helped him
- Realistic: Understands the dangers he faces and makes practical survival decisions
Character Development: Szpilman begins as a broken, fearful man but maintains his dignity and humanity throughout his ordeal. His identity as a musician becomes both his salvation (impressing the German officer) and his connection to his former life.
The German Officer - The Unlikely Savior
Personality Traits:
- Compassionate: Shows mercy and kindness despite his military position
- Cultured: Appreciates music and recognizes Szpilman's talent
- Courageous: Risks his own safety to help a Jewish man
- Ashamed: Feels guilt about his country's actions during the war
- Hopeful: Believes the war will end and encourages Szpilman to survive
Significance: The officer represents the theme that humanity can exist even in the darkest circumstances. His character challenges stereotypes and shows that individuals can choose compassion over cruelty, even within oppressive systems.
Character Arc: From a potentially threatening figure to a life-saving ally, the officer's transformation in Szpilman's (and our) perception illustrates the complexity of human nature during wartime.
Major Themes
Survival and Human Dignity
Despite extreme conditions, Szpilman maintains his sense of self and dignity. His refusal to leave his hiding place shows his understanding of his precarious situation as a Jewish man in Nazi-occupied territory.
The Power of Art
Music becomes a bridge between two enemies - a German officer and a Jewish pianist. Chopin's Nocturne transcends national and racial boundaries, revealing shared humanity.
Moral Complexity in War
The German officer's character shows that not all individuals conform to the stereotypes of their groups. His shame about his country's actions and his choice to help Szpilman illustrate personal moral courage.
Hope and Despair
The narrative alternates between moments of hope (the officer's help, news of the war's end) and despair (isolation, fear of discovery, near-death at liberation).
Literary Significance
This memoir serves as "survivor testimony" - a first-hand account of Holocaust experiences. Such testimonies:
- Provide personal, human perspectives on historical events
- Preserve memory for future generations
- Challenge us to understand the complexities of human behavior during extreme circumstances
- Remind us of the importance of individual moral choices
Historical Context
The story takes place during the final months of WWII (late 1944 - early 1945) in Warsaw. The city had been largely destroyed, the Jewish ghetto eliminated, and most of Warsaw's Jewish population murdered. Szpilman's survival was extraordinarily rare, making his testimony particularly valuable.
Conclusion
"In the Attic" is both a survival story and a testament to unexpected human kindness. It shows how art, compassion, and the will to live can triumph even in humanity's darkest hours. The relationship between Szpilman and the German officer proves that individual conscience can overcome systemic hatred, offering hope that human decency persists even in the most challenging circumstances.