Sophie’s Choice

#3, Auschwitz Album Revisited

Oil Painting by Dr. Pat Mercer Hutchens

A mother stands in the “not fit for work” line with her little girl and young boy. The pale, frightened girl munches on a piece of bread. The young bow cowers and looks down. If someone, even a child, looked in the eyes of a Nazi or asked him a question, he was often shot. This boy appears to already know to look down and be careful not to draw attention. Of course, both children will be among the first to be killed, but Mom does not know that yet. On the spur of the moment, some evil guard may approach and pretend to give her a choice between the children – first of all for sport, but secondly, in order to draw her into his evil. As in the movie, Sophie’s Choice, there was no way out.