Hope
Throughout the novel, hope is shown to be important to survival – being able to keep going through horrific experiences. At the beginning of the novel, Felix’s hopefulness and naivety sets him on a dangerous and unrealistic path. However, after finding out the truth about Hitler and the Nazi persecution of the Jews, Felix realises he still needs hope to give him courage and strength. Hope inspires Felix and the other characters in the novel to try to reach safety and find a better future.
Friendship
Friendship is at the heart of the novel. From trying to get Dodie the first turn in the bath at the orphanage, to protecting Zelda at the risk of his own life, Felix is shown to be a good friend. Friendship and caring for others is shown to be part of what makes a good person.
Storytelling
In Once, storytelling has power. Felix’s stories help him to survive, protect others and provide hope for the future. His stories create strong bonds between the characters and even inspire the children to tell their own traumatic stories.
Perhaps at the beginning, Felix is resilient because he truly doesn’t understand what’s going on. However, as the story unfolds, Felix remains positive and calm. He will do whatever it takes to escape, including jumping off of a train car.
“I give a careless shrug so Dodie won’t see how nervous I am about the officials. And how much I’m desperately hoping Mother Minka remembers the story we agreed on about my parents. About how they were killed in a farming accident. Tragically.”
“‘And Adolf Hitler?’ I whisper. ‘Father Ludwik says Adolf Hitler keeps us safe too.’”
“There’s a gang of thugs going around the country burning Jewish books. Mum and Dad, wherever in Europe they are, probably don’t even know they are in danger.”
“Barney said that everybody deserves to have something good in their life at least once. I have. More than once.”
“Sometimes,’ he says [Barney], his voice shaking as well,’ parents can’t protect their kids even though they love them more than anything in the world.”