The Island on Bird Street

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of religious discrimination, graphic violence, illness and death, and physical abuse.

Alex believes that he has always been a fortunate young man, and he credits luck several times when thinking about his success in staying out of sight and staying alive. His good fortune, however, does not have as much to do with Alex’s survival skills as his character traits of resourcefulness and ingenuity. Alex proves that he is resourceful in his learned skills and knowledge, his ingenuity in solving problems, and his intuitive sense of taking advantage of opportunities when the moment is right.

Even before he flees the German soldiers on the way to the transports, Alex shows that he has a strong memory. Like a sponge, he soaked up conversations between his parents and discussions between Boruch and his father. Once he is on his own, he relies on his memory for important lessons his father and Boruch taught him. For example, his father’s instructions flow through his head just before he fires the pistol at the German soldier, and later, he recalls his father’s guidance for fist-fighting. Thanks to his father’s lessons, Alex successfully kills the soldier and overcomes Yanek.