Salt to the Sea: Chapter 98 (Joana)–Chapter 131 (Emilia)

by Ruta Sepetys
Through the alternating perspectives of four fictional teens, best-selling author Ruta Sepetys dramatizes the experiences of refugees searching for a safe haven during World War II. Learn key vocabulary from this engrossing historical novel based on a true story.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapter 1 (Joana)–Chapter 33 (Emilia), Chapter 34 (Joana)–Chapter 64 (Alfred), Chapter 65 (Joana)–Chapter 97 (Florian), Chapter 98 (Joana)–Chapter 131 (Emilia), Chapter 132 (Florian)–Author's Note
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. traumatize
    inflict an emotional wound or shock upon
    Dr. Richter evaluated Emilia's condition. “She seems a bit traumatized,” he commented.
  2. affix
    attach to
    The ship had anti-aircraft guns affixed to the deck.
  3. galley
    the area for food preparation on a ship
    I marched toward the galley to see what they might be cooking. We had been told that each passenger would receive one hot meal per day.
  4. infirmary
    a health facility where patients receive treatment
    “Me, contagious? How dare you.”
    “Watch the attitude and go to the infirmary. We don’t need to be infected.”
  5. agony
    intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
    And then, amidst the agony, the locked door in my mind suddenly opened and I was no longer on a cot in the ship’s infirmary.
  6. unbearable
    incapable of being put up with
    A searing pain ripped through me. Death hacked at me with its sickle, tearing, chopping, unbearable.
  7. mongrel
    an inferior dog or one of mixed breed
    Nazi propaganda portrayed America as racially impure, a nation of mongrels, The Land Without a Heart.
  8. regime
    the governing authority of a political unit
    Blood guilt. It was a law of the Nazi regime. If a family member had committed a crime or treason, his blood was considered bad.
  9. throes
    violent pangs of suffering
    But in the throes of labor she had also screamed liar and pleaded for her mother to help her.
  10. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    Three more pregnant women had arrived and were resting comfortably in the makeshift maternity ward.
  11. suspicious
    arousing distrust
    If you see anything suspicious, we’ll need to report it.”
    Suspicious. A perfect description of handsome Florian Beck.
  12. sentry
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    I was about to give Joana's suitcase to Poet when an armed sentry corralled us into line.
  13. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
    He leaned back, teetering on his chair in a long oilskin coat, basking within his power and authority.
  14. adrenaline
    hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress
    Adrenaline charged through me. I wanted to knock his teeth out more than I wanted to board the ship.
  15. rogue
    a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
    I walked through the halls, looking for the tall rogue. If he were on board, he would be easy to find.
  16. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
    Sincerity and sadness erased the bravado. “That kid. She’s a warrior.”
  17. permeate
    spread or diffuse through
    I turned around and leaned against the window. January permeated the glass and my blouse. For the first time in a long time, my body felt warmer than the outside air.
  18. privileged
    blessed with special advantages
    The upper cabins are occupied by the privileged and the refugees have gladly taken to the mattress pads.
  19. barter
    exchange goods without involving money
    The Wilhelm Gustloff is now a living, breathing city. Enterprise is afoot. People barter their belongings and a shoemaker and his apprentice repair shoes on the upper promenade deck.
  20. allegiance
    the loyalty that citizens owe to their country
    Each day I find myself in deeper allegiance to our country and our Führer, Hannelore.
  21. secluded
    hidden from general view or use
    The chimney was secluded, but it could also be my downfall. If someone looked in and saw me, they would immediately know I was hiding.
  22. auxiliary
    someone who acts as an assistant
    “They’re bringing the women’s auxiliary on board?”
  23. rigorous
    demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
    I was a late recruit. I had wanted to be part of the youth organizations, but the physical drills were quite rigorous and placed heavy emphasis on athletic competition.
  24. cadence
    a recurrent rhythmical series
    “You agree, of course? We are good Germans.” His eyes lingered. His speech pattern carried an unsettling cadence.
  25. dissipate
    cause to separate and go in different directions
    My shoulders released and the fear dissipated.
  26. transpire
    come about, happen, or occur
    Look what’s transpiring down on that pier. Frantic desperation. The Russians are just around the corner.
  27. sympathy
    sharing the feelings of others, especially sorrow or anguish
    I also confessed of once feeling sympathy for those who are inferior. Be assured that I pull at the roots of these sympathies. I know they are a weakness.
  28. steadfast
    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
    My qualities are finally recognized by one of my own, a recruit of steadfast courage.
  29. covert
    secret or hidden
    “Shh,” I reminded him once again.
    “Ah, yes, we must be covert.”
  30. instinct
    inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to stimuli
    I see many who act on instinct, which I believe is wrong. Through instinct we succumb to weakness and emotion. Careful thought and planning, mental construction, is always best.
  31. prerequisite
    something that is needed or obligatory in advance
    His grin widened and he began to recite, “‘Only in the steady and constant application of force lies the very first prerequisite for success.’”
  32. sociopath
    a person with an antisocial personality disorder
    This guy wasn’t a sailor. He was a sociopath in training.
  33. implicated
    culpably involved
    None of it made sense. And either way, I didn’t want to be implicated.
  34. harbor
    secretly shelter, as a fugitive or criminal
    You’re harboring a Polish girl and her baby in the maternity ward.
  35. falsify
    make false by mutilation or addition
    If they find out that you falsified the identity of a Pole and brought her on board, taking a space for a German, you’re done.
  36. forge
    make a copy of with the intent to deceive
    If anyone discovers the truth, I’ll tell them that I forged the letter and that you knew nothing about it.
  37. desperate
    showing extreme urgency or intensity because of great need
    The ship was full of unnatural sounds. Steel doors clanging, hollow footsteps, desperate echoes. Nature, the outdoors, even the farm, it all felt so far away.
  38. annals
    a chronological account of events in successive years
    I will be officially recognized in the annals of German history ...
  39. constitution
    the way in which someone or something is composed
    The swaying. I’m sure this is temporary. They will steady the vessel. Yes, they must. Although I am of steely constitution, the other passengers cannot endure over forty hours of this.
  40. fate
    an event that will inevitably happen in the future
    I sat in the grass and watched my wreath burn and sink, quietly sealing my fate.
Created on Wed Jun 07 21:03:00 EDT 2017 (updated Mon Oct 07 11:56:55 EDT 2019)

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