Stepping on the Cracks

“Step on a crack, break Hitler’s back!”

By deliberately stepping on sidewalk cracks, Margaret and Elizabeth turn the typical children’s game into a simplistic expression of their hatred for Hitler. As the story unfolds, Hahn uses cracks to symbolize moral ambiguities that challenge the girls’ naïve worldviews.

“How could anyone, even a Nazi, want to hurt my brother?”

The war seems distant to Margaret, and Jimmy’s cheerful letters make her think that it is not so bad and that her older brother’s goodness will keep him safe. Though untrue in a certain sense—goodness offers no protection—this view later allows Margaret to empathize with Stuart’s idea that enemies are people no different from her family.

“Wondering why I always let Elizabeth lead me into danger, I crept through the woods behind her.”

Initially, Margaret is a follower in her friendship with Elizabeth: a sidekick to Elizabeth’s superhero. Margaret is aware of their unequal relationship but swallows Elizabeth’s scornful taunts and allows her to take the lead.