Hana's Suitcase

Fumiko’s letter to George is one of the most distinct textual acknowledgments of the intensity of the trauma of the Holocaust. Her thoughtfulness regarding how to approach George without triggering a negative emotional reaction reflects Fumiko’s knowledge and understanding of the difficulties survivors of the Holocaust may face in remembering or talking about their experiences. Levine’s inclusion of this particular scene is critical in supporting readers to think more critically about the complexities of sharing narratives about war-based trauma. While Hana’s story is important to tell, it is also vital to be mindful about how information is gathered and how it is presented. By engaging Hana’s relatives in sharing her story without triggering them, Fumiko shows great care in producing an ethical exhibit about Hana’s life.

These chapters are the first in Hana’s Suitcase that do not go back in time. Once Hana’s death is established, the remaining narrative focuses on Fumiko and George. In many ways, George’s survival can be seen as the climax, and the exhibit serves as a resolution to the book’s arc. Levine’s choice to let Hana rest after entering Auschwitz is important because it preserves Hana’s innocence and hope, rather than portraying her death in the gas chambers. By focusing the final chapters on George and his daughter, Levine also centers the power of survival and of sharing stories to learn about the past. George’s presence at the exhibit with his daughter shows The Importance of Reckoning With the Past for individuals and society. For George, Hana’s story is intensely personal, and seeing her life celebrated is meaningful for him. Levine includes the poem written by the children in Small Wings, which describes their commitment to “make a difference in building peace in the world” (106). The focus on the present and future supports readers to make connections to their own lives and commitments, as well as providing a calming ending to an intense mystery.

Time plays a consistently important role in the book’s structure and plot. Each chapter is time-stamped, showing the month and year that the events in it occurred. Levine’s use of these markers helps solidify the importance of time passing, as well as helping readers keep track of where and when the story is taking place. Near the novel's conclusion, time is referenced more explicitly in the narrative itself, as Fumiko and George communicate across thousands of miles, hoping to receive news from the other. This serves as a contrast with the way time moves in the ghetto and concentration camps, which is written in a murkier way. Through her use of descriptions of time, Levine provides a juxtaposition between how humans experience time in moments of great trauma and how humans experience time when they are hopeful and optimistic. The final chapters also demonstrate Family Connections Across Time, as readers see that George’s grief over losing Hana and his family has not faded. He has never forgotten his sister, and his attendance at the exhibit in Japan shows his devotion to her more than 50 years later.