The dehumanizing effects of totalitarian regimes
The characters' experiences in the concentration camp under Adolf Hitler and his horrific Nazi regime showcase the brutal, dehumanizing effects of totalitarian systems on the people within them (and the victims of them). In the concentration camp, which embodies Nazism, fascism, and oppressive regimes, people are stripped of their identities, rights, and humanity. In the concentration camp, each inhabitant is referred to by a number, not their name. This erases each character's individual identity, effectively turning them into things, not people.
Resilience
Despite the oppressive and dehumanizing conditions, the escapees from the concentration camp demonstrate remarkable resilience and an unyielding will to survive. George Heisler, the protagonist of the novel, perseveres through his grueling journey through the German countryside despite facing constant danger from the Nazis (particularly Gestapo) around him. His resourcefulness and his willingness to take risks are a testament to his desire to regain his freedom from violence and oppression. George's attitude and actions likewise reflect a broader point about society: despite going through terrible things, people have the ability to overcome and persevere because of their resilience.
Kindness
In a world saturated with fear and hate, kindness is one of the most important things a person can exhibit. For instance, Frau Heini and Paul Roeder move forward with acts of kindness that aid the protagonist of the novel, George Heisler. To do so, they risk their own lives, showing the power and importance of kindness -- especially in stressful times.
Throughout the narrative, Seghers highlights how kindness comes in the form of selfless acts. For example, the Wallau couple opens their home to George without expecting anything in return from him despite the danger they face in helping him. This shows that, despite the pervasive dehumanization of Jews and other people by the Nazi regime, the human capacity for empathy, compassion, and solidarity persists and remains indelibly strong.
