Like a smudge
When Anna visits the building that was used by the Stasi as their headquarters, she talks with a cleaning lady who complains about a smudge that won’t come out no matter how much she cleans the spot. In a similar way, no matter how the German government tried to hide or make amends to their people, the smudge left by the Stasi could not be erased. The smudged remained a visual symbol, reminding everyone about the horrors of the past and about the suffering the German people had to endure.
Propaganda and religion
In the 16th chapter, Anna talks about the people who grew up in Germany and who were thought from an early age to love their country above all. When Anna talks with Hagen, she even compares the type of love the state wanted its citizens to have with the religious fervor some had. The comparison has the purpose of showing just how much the public was pressured to adopt a certain behavior and how hard it was for them to break free from it.
Metaphor for freedom
In the 18th chapter, Hagen talks about a little plate he stole when he left the Stasi for the third time. soon after leaving, Hagen was called and told to bring the plate back but he refused. While Hagen was afraid he will be prosecuted for his acts, that never happened and Hagen remained free. The plate is also used here as a metaphor for freedom and Hagen’s actions can be seen as his desire to do anything he can to regain his freedom, even if it means doing something illegal.
Metaphor for the German society
When Anna talks with Frau Paul, she tells Anna about the time when she was imprisoned for two years. Paul tells Anna about her cell and how it was so small she could barely stand up. The cell is an important element because it is used her as a metaphor for the German society. Just like Paul was unable to stand up in the cell, the vast majority of German citizens were also confined and unable to move freely or act freely in their own country.
The documents
Anna talks at length about the documents the Stasi had on the German citizens and how they rushed to destroy them when it became clear they will be defeated. The documents are important because they appear here as a metaphor. When Anna talks about the documents, she also talks about the influence and power they represented and thus, by destroying them, the Stasi were metaphorically giving up their power and admitting they lost.
