The Hiding Place
(Corrie ten Boom)

Racism

Racism is at the heart of this story because without it Corrie never would have been subjected to her experience. As the Nazi regime moved through Europe during the early-mid 1900s the people of Haarlem, Holland began to live under extremely strict rules, and Jews went into hiding. Corrie and her family became a part of the underground which was formed to keep the Jews safe from the Nazis. It was in helping to fight racism that Corrie was imprisoned, along with her family, and eventually forced to live in at the Ravensbruck concentration camp.

Bravery

All of the people involved in fighting against the Nazi regime were exceptionally brave because, at any moment, they could be imprisoned and taken into concentration camps, as the Ten Booms were. Corrie, her family, and the other people involved in the underground sacrificed themselves and their own safety for the sake of keeping others from harm and the wrath of Adolph Hitler and his followers. They all stood tall and lied in the face of those in charge knowing that they could be beaten or killed at any moment if they gave the wrong answer.

Respect

Casper Ten Boom and his family are well-respected members of the Haarlem community, which leads to them being trusted in terms of the underground movement. The reason they are so well respected is because they are respectful of others and respectful of their faith, especially Betsie. When Betsie and Corrie are at Ravensbruck concentration camp, there is a lot of tension between many of the women but everyone seems to respect and get along with Betsie because of her positive attitude and faith.

Religion

Religion is a negative as well as a positive within this story. First of all, Hitler and the Nazis are coming after all of the Jewish people throughout Europe; in this case, religious background and beliefs are a negative because an entire religious group of people is being discriminated against. From the other side, Betsie’s religious views helped her, Corrie, and many other women get through the horrific experience of being imprisoned and placed in concentration camps. She thanks God for everything, even the negative, knowing that she will be rewarded when she finally gets to Him.

Suffering

Thanks to the Ten Boom family the Jews who come to them stay safe and do not have to suffer at the hands of the Nazis; it is the Ten Boom family who ends up suffering in the place of those they are helping. Casper, Willem, Corrie, and Betsie all fall ill at some point; Casper does not even make it out of prison and Betsie dies just before she would be released from Ravensbruck. The conditions are horrendous; there is not enough food, there is ash everywhere, and people are infested with lice and fleas. Even when people are ill they rarely see a doctor; the conditions are atrocious.

Death

Death is ever-present for those fighting against the Nazis because there is always the possibility of nothing making it through the war alive. The Jews are in constant fear of being captured and those who are protecting the Jews, such as the Ten Boom family, are sacrificing their own lives by being involved. Once imprisoned death is everywhere; Casper only lasts ten days before he dies. At Ravensbruck, there are dead bodies everywhere and older people are incinerated when they are deemed useless.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is Corrie’s biggest obstacle after she is released from Ravensbruck. She wants to do good in the world, and make Betsie’s dreams of building rehabilitation centers come true, but she cannot escape her past. When Corrie is unable to shake the hand of a Christian man who was once a concentration camp guard, she realizes that her inability to forgive is hindering her life. She wants to tell people “Betsie’s story” to educate them but cannot be as effective as she wishes if she remains bitter and unforgiving.

Unconditional Love

The greatest example of unconditional love is Betsie’s love for God. She remains faithful to Him and continues to pray and thank Him every single night, regardless of her circumstances. Corrie is amazed at Betsie’s persistence and her ability to thank God even for the fleas that they become infested with; she determines that the fleas keep out guards and make Bible study possible, so they must be a marvellous thing. She continues to love God even when she is suffering, knowing that if she remains faithful and loving she will be rewarded when she meets Him.

Hate

Racism is taken to an entirely different level here, one that is teemed with hatred. Hitler’s persecution of the Jews stems from pure hatred inside of him and his followers. At the camps, both Jews and their protectors are forced to live in squalor and are often burned alive for their “crimes”. Betsie often prays for forgiveness for the guards and the hatred that lives inside of them. She wants to start a rehabilitation center someday for the Nazis who want to be forgiven for their hating ways. The people who have a right to hate are the ones who show the most love.

Loyalty

The Ten Boom family shows their loyalty in several situations. They remain loyal to their neighbors and those in need by housing them, hiding them, lying for them, and going to prison for them. They remain loyal to one another; Corrie fails her fitness test on purpose so she does not have to leave with her brigade and instead can stay with Betsie, who is ill. After Betsie’s death, Corrie keeps her spirit and dream alive by spreading their story and opening rehabilitation facilities for survivors of the camps as well as former Nazis. Also, they remain loyal to God despite the suffering they face.