Chapter 2

The Power of Individual Resistance resistance: A Literary Analysis of The Boy Who

Dared

The Boy Who Dared is a historical fiction novel based on the true story of

Helmuth Hübener, a German teenager who dared to resist the Nazi regime during World

War II. The novel tells the story of Helmuth’s courageous journey, from his early days as

a Hitler Youth member to his eventual decision to resist the Nazi regime.

Bartolettis’s novel paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by Helmuth as he

navigates the dangerous world of resistance. The author masterfully captures the tense

atmosphere of the time and the constant fear that enveloped those who dared to oppose

the Nazi regime. Through Helmuth’s journey, readers are able to gain a deeper

understanding of the struggles faced by ordinary Germans during this tumultuous period

in history.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Boy Who Dared is the exploration of

Helmuth’s character. Bartolettis skillfully portrays Helmuth as a brave and determined

individual who refuses to stay silent in the face of injustice. His unwavering commitment

to truth and justice serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for

what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Set in 1930s and 1940s Germany, the book provides readers with a vivid and raw

portrayal of the tumultuous times that Hübener and his fellow countrymen endured under

Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship. Through Bartoletti’s meticulous research and compelling

indoctrination of German youth through Hitler Youth programs, and the suffocation of

basic freedoms and human rights.

Helmuth Hübener, portrayed as a curious, intelligent, and morally upright

protagonist, becomes increasingly disillusioned with Hitler’s ideology as he witnesses the

persecution of Jews and experiences the devastation caused by the war. Fuelled by a

sense of justice and a desire to fight against the tyranny that has engulfed his nation,

Hübener embarks on a dangerous journey of resistance.

Born in 1925 in Hamburg, Germany, Helmuth was raised in a Mormon family and

was deeply committed to his faith. However, as he grew older, Helmuth became

increasingly disillusioned with the Nazi regime and its ideology. Despite the dangers,

Helmuth began to resist the regime, distributing anti-Nazi leaflets and listening to enemy

radio broadcasts.

A fictionalized version of a true story. Helmuth Hübener, a young man, boldly

disagrees with the tactics of Hitler and the Nazis during their rise to power. At the book’s

start, Helmuth is on death row, awaiting the executioner. Then in flashback format, the

events that led him there are revealed. During Helmuth’s middle-school years, he joined

the Hitler Youth after being stirred by the future führer’s persuasive speeches, but he can

not accept Hitler’s actions against the Jews. Knowing that his freedom is at stake,

Helmuth listens to BBC radio broadcasts from which he learns the implications of

Hitler’s war strategies, and he feels a moral obligation to inform his fellow German

citizens. He and his friends write, print and secretively distribute leaflets that reveal the

truth.
 When their work is discovered, they are charged and tried as traitors to the German

cause. Though these events lead to Helmuth’s death, he heroically takes all the blame and

in doing so is able to spare his friends’ lives.With the help of his friends and family,

Helmuth’s resistance efforts grew bolder, and he soon became a target for the Nazi

authorities. The novel chronicles Helmuth’s bravery and conviction, as well as the

ultimate sacrifice he made for his beliefs.

Through Helmuth’s story, the novel explores themes of courage, resistance, and the

power of individual actions to challenge injustice. The Boy Who Dared is a powerful and

inspiring tale that highlights the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the

face of overwhelming danger.

The novel is set in Nazi Germany during World War II. The Nazi regime, led by

Adolf Hitler, was a totalitarian dictatorship that suppressed individual freedom and

dissent. Also it touches on the Holocaust, genocide during which the Nazi regime

systematically murdered six million Jews and millions of others deemed

undesirable.Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, promising to restore German

greatness and create jobs. He eliminated opposition, abolished democratic institutions

and established a totalitarian regime. The Hitler Youth was a Nazi youth organization

that aimed to indoctrinate young people with Nazi ideology and prepare them for military

service.

Helmuth’s distribution of anti-Nazi leaflets is portrayed as a symbolic act of

defiance against the Nazi regime. Bye creating and disseminating these leaflets, Helmuth

is taking a bold stand against the regime’s ideology. The novel highlights the immense

risk and danger involved in Helmuth’s actions. Helmuth’s decision to distribute anti-
Nazi leaflets demonstrates his courage and conviction. Despite the risk, Helmuth is

driven by a strong sense of morality and a desire to challenge the Nazi regime’s authority.

Helmuth’s listening to enemy radio broadcasts provides him with access to forbidden

information.

The novel portrays Helmuth’s individual resistance as a gradual escalation of

actions. Helmuth begins by listening to enemy radio broadcasts and gradually moves on

to more overt acts of resistance, such as distributing anti-Nazi leaflets. Helmuth’s actions

are driven by a strong sense of morality and a desire to challenge the regime’s authority.

This novel also highlights the importance of individual agency in resisting oppressive

regimes. Helmuth’s actions demonstrate that individuals have the power to challenge

authority and create change, even in the face of overwhelming oppression.

Helmuth’s individual resistance inspires others to join him, creating a ripple effect

that challenges the Nazi regime’s authority. His bravery encourages others to take a

stand, demonstrating that individual actions can inspire collective resistance. Helmuth’s

execution serves as a powerful reminder of the personal consequences and sacrifices that

can result from individual resistance. Despite the ultimate cost, his legacy inspires others

to continue resisting, demonstrating the enduring power of individual resistance.

Helmuth’s resistance is a way for him to assert his individuality and autonomy in a

society that seeks to suppress individual freedom. By resisting the Nazi regime, Helmuth

refuses to conform to the expectations of those around him, demonstrating the power of

individual resistance to challenge societal norms.

resistance, emphasizing how these connections supported and enabled his courageous

actions. Helmuth’s parents, though initially worried, ultimately support his resistance

efforts. Their backing gives him the confidence to continue his activism. Helmuth’s

family installs in him strong moral values, which shape his decision to resist the Nazi

regime. His family’s emphasis on doing what is right encourages Helmuth to take a

stand.

Helmuth was eight when Hitler first came to power, and Helmuth liked hearing

Hitler’s commanding voice on the radio, but as events continue, Helmuth comes to see

Hitler for what he is. Helmuth’s resistance is depicted as a brave, calculated act of

defiance against the Nazi regime, primarily through the secret distribution of anti-Nazi

leaflets which he writes himself, utilizing his knowledge gained from listening to

forbidden enemy radio broadcasts, ultimately leading to his capture and execution at a

young age due to his courageous actions against a totalitarian government.

Helmuth uses his intelligence and writing skills to craft impactful leaflets that

criticize the Nazi party and the war, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to resistance.

The story portrays Helmuth’s gradual shift from a young boy initially supportive of the

Nazi ideology to a strong opponent who actively seeks to undermine the regime through

his actions.

As a young child living in Hamburg, Helmuth hears his grandparents talk about

their dislike of the Nazis and their leader, Adolf Hitler and Opa’s predictions that Hitler

wants war. But Helmuth likes playing with his toy soldiers and thinks maybe he will be a

soldier when he is old enough to fight.

change. Teachers and schoolmates show their support for the new chancellor and begin

harassing the Jewish students, Germans are told to boycott Jewish stores, enforced by SS

and SA destroying their businesses. Un-German books and movies are forbidden, and

Helmuth is afraid that means Karl May’s beloved stories about America’s wild west, until

his brother Gerhard tells him they are Hitler’s favorites, too.

In 1935, Helmuth’s mother begins seeing a Nazi named Hugo Hübener. Hugo

changes everything in their home and after the two marry, moves the family away from

Opa and Oma.

In 1938, at age 12, Helmuth begins a new school, where he is immediately labelled

a troublemaker by his teacher, a Nazi. He is punished by having to write an essay with

the title “Adolf Hitler: Savior of the Fatherland.” Helmuth knows he must bite the bullet

and write the essay his teacher expects and in the end, even his teacher has to admit that

he is a talented writer. Helmuth is also required to join the Jungvolk, the younger version

of the Hitler Youth.

When his older brother Gerhard is inducted into the army in 1939, he is sent to

Paris for training. Once the war begins, Helmuth suspects that the Reich’s radio is not

giving the German people the truth about what Is going on. When Gerhard returns from

France, he bring a new forbidden short wave radio back with him., but hides it and tells

Helmuth to leave it alone. At first, Helmuth resists the temptation to listen to it, but after

a while he can’t resist any longer and each night, sets up the radio to hear the BBC

broadcasts done in German. And just as he suspected, the German people are Indeed

being lied to about German successes in the war.

Hitler was in power, the more Helmuth realized that there was social injustice happening.

As Hitler rises to power, Helmuth becomes increasingly uncomfortable with what it

means to be a German. When one of his brothers is home briefly from serving in the

German army, he brings home an illegal radio, which Helmuth begins listening to in

secret. Helmuth uses information from the foreign broadcast he listens to illegally to

distribute pamphlets about the truth about the war.

Helmuth and his small group of friends take calculated risks to distribute leaflets

anonymously, highlighting their awareness of the dangers involved in their actions.

Helmuth’s resistance is driven by a strong moral compass, particularly influenced by his

Mormon faith, which leads him to question the Nazi atrocities and take a stand against

them. His alleged crime was distributing anti- Nazi leaflets with information he got from

listening to the BBC, ille-gal at the time.

In late 1941, his listening involved three friends: Karl-Heinz Schnibbe and Rudi

Wobbe, both of whom were fellow Latter-day Saints, and later Gerhard Düwer. Hübener

had them help him distribute about 60 different pamphlets, all containing typewritten

material from the British broadcasts. They distributed them throughout Hamburg, using

such methods as surreptitiously pinning them on bulletin boards, inserting them into

letterboxes, and stuffing them in coat pockets.

On 5 February 1942, Hübener was arrested by the Gestapo at his workplace, the

Hamburg Social Authority in the Bieberhaus in Hamburg. While trying to translate the

pamphlets into French and have them distributed among prisoners of war, he had been

noticed by co-worker and Nazi Party member Heinrich Mohn, who denounced him.
 On 11 August 1942, aged 17, Hübener was tried as an adult by the Special People’s

Court in Berlin, which had jurisdiction over matters of treason. Hübener was sentenced to

death. AfterYoung Helmuth was the leader of a three person resistance group with no ties

to organized partisans. Using flash-backs, the author describes Helmuth’s personal

evolution as a resistant and the devastating grip Hitler asserted over the German citizenry.

We are privy to the lives and thinking of Helmuth’s family and friends and, through them,

are witness to the growth of the Nazi state and the public reaction to its harsh edicts.

After the sentence was read, Hübener faced the judges and said: “All I did was tell

the truth and you have sentenced me to die, just for telling the truth. My time is now but

your time will come!” ( Bartoletti 163). He hoped his confrontational tactics would focus

the judge’s wrath on him and spare his companions.

As stated in the proclamation, Hübener was found guilty of conspiracy to commit

high treason and treasonous furthering of the enemy's cause. He was sentenced not only

to death, but also to permanent loss of his civil rights, which meant the prison guards

were allowed to torture and abuse him, and he was not allowed bedding or blankets in his

cold cell. His behaviour before the court, made Hübener, in the court’s eyes, a boy with a

far more developed mind than was usually to be found in someone of his age. For this

reason, the court stated, Hübener was to be punished as an adult.

Hübener’s lawyers, his mother, and the Berlin Gestapo appealed for clemency in

his case, hoping to have his sentence commuted to life imprisonment. In their eyes, the

fact that Hübener had confessed fully and shown himself to be still morally uncorrupted

were points in his favour. The Reich Youth Leadership disagreed, however, and stated

that the danger posed by Hübener’s activities to the German people’s war effort made the
death penalty necessary. On 27 October 1942, the Nazi Ministry of Justice upheld the

Special People’s Court verdict. Hübener was only told of the Ministry’s decision at 1:05

PM on the scheduled day of execution.

On 27 October, at 8:13 PM, he was beheaded by guillotine in the execution room

at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin. His two friends, Schnibbe and Wobbe, who had also been

arrested, were given prison sentences of five and ten year.

Helmut is just 16 at the time of his arrest. As an adult (and a mother) it was painful

to watch how idealistic and trusting he was. His actions were bold and daring, but also

put the lives of others around him at risk. He foolishly thought be would be able to keep

the names of his friends secret, but did not know how intense his torture would be to get

him to give them up. As we move farther away from these events in history, there can be

a tendency to only focus on the good or romanticize the past. It showed how dangerous

life was even as an “ordinary” citizen and illustrated the culture of fear during the time

period that caused people to turn on each other. The novel shows how difficult it was to

resist without also risking your own life.

He had a hard time following the Nazis’ ridiculous rules since they were unfair to

all the Jews. Therefore, he wanted to advocate for the truth which made him courageous.

A known law to all at that time was not to listen to foreign radio stations because they

spread the truth about the war and how the German soldiers were actually fighting. He

got to know that the German soldiers were not fighting well in the war, however, the

Nazis’ didn’t want to admit to that. Helmuth Hübener wanted to break the radio law just

to advocate for the truth which contributed to him being brave. To elaborate, the author

stated, “Dare he turn it on? He does. He twists the knob,” (102). He was aware of what
danger he would be putting himself into. However, he was courageous enough to break a

law to do what was right. He knew that advocating for the truth would be worth all the

risks of breaking a strict Nazi rule.

“ The radio comes to life, crackling softly , a dim amber light glowing fom it’s face.

His fingers tremble. He turns the dial ever so slowly, watches the needle slide,” (102).

Even though his fingers trembled, showing he’s scared, he still turns the dial. He turns the

dial slowly because he is still processing what he would be doing and the consequences

that he would face later. It was a big step for him and taking his time shows that he’s still

a little skeptical about his decision. However, he turns the dial. He shows his bravery by

actually making a move. It didn’t matter how long he took. For someone to take such a

big step with serious consequences, makes them valiant. And Helmuth was exactly that-

valiant. Not to mention, he was pretty young when he made that decision. To break such a

strict rule made by the Nazis, really made Helmuth a courageous person.

His story is one of strength, faith and courage in facing a daunting enemy.

Helmuth was strippec of his protection for being a minor.“He must keep the attention of

the decides he is going to take the attention of the judges so he gets charged as an adult

and they get charged for a minor.”(159). Even though he was fearful of the nazis he still

managed to stand at his trial and find the will to preach for people to maybe believe his

ideas.

Helmuth needs to improve on thinking of others before himself. Before Helmuth is

about to act out he pulls his two friends Rudi and Karl into the situation. When the boys

get caught the three of them get punished, Helmuth did not consider what would happen

if they got caught. He pulled his friends into his illegal activities before considering what
would happen in the event that they get caught. Another example of a time when Helmuth

could have used this advice is when he moves away. Helmuth’s mom marries, Hugo, a

man who has a lot of respect for Hitler.

Helmuth moved away because he could not stand how rude and self-obsessed

Hugo was, so he moved into his grandparents flat. When he moved he even did not think

about how it would affect his mother. There’s Gerhard, Helmuth’s older half-brother,

who disapproves of Hitler but believes it’s not possible to stop him and that he must fight

for his country.

In telling Helmuth’s story, Bartoletti also recounts much of the history or Hitler’s

rise to power and of the events of the war through Helmuth’s death in 1942. A timeline at

the end of the book gives a brief outline of events beginning with the end of World War I

through Germany’s unconditional surrender in 1945 at the end of World War II.

The book opens at a gripping moment—Helmuth in prison on death row, uncertain

whether he’ll be executed that day or not. The rest of the story is told in flashbacks with

occasional returns to Helmuth in prison. This device gives the story excitement, but there

are parts that drag a bit. However, the pace picks up as Helmuth begins writing pamphlets

and getting his friends involved in his resistance work, and the pace continues strong

through Helmuth’s arrest, torture, trial, and finally his execution, which is not depicted.

Helmuth on death row in prison, knows “executioner works on Tuesdays,”(

Bartoletti 3) doesn’t know date he’ll be executed; as a child, Helmuth played with lead

soldiers, representing the French and Germans in World War I, imagined artillery,

grenades, shrapnel, soldiers attacking; grandparents and others believe if Hitler gains
power, there will be war. Hitler Youth carry daggers inscribed with the words Blood and

Honor. Reichstag fire (burning of the parliament building) mentioned; mention that

arsonist sentenced to death; mention of German Jew who fought in German army,

wounded in World War I. Teacher shouts at Jewish student, pushes him into chair at

front of class. Jewish shop owner attacked by four soldiers, hit and kicked, leaving store

owner motionless on the sidewalk.

Helmuth hears guards coming for someone else to be guillotined, hears crying,

prisoner being hit with truncheon, kicked, handcuffed. Students told that it’s greatest

honor for someone to die for their country; Rudi roughed up by his Hitler Youth squad.

Karl beat up his zealous platoon leader; mention that people often disappear after being

visited by Gestapo; mention of murder, a stabbing; Rudi slapped by Gestapo; mention of

Gestapo torture; Jew in France shots Nazi, Nazi later dies. Jewish shops, stores,

businesses, and private homes ransacked and destroyed, Jews are arrested and taken

away—in retaliation against death of Nazi in France.

Polish soldiers are claimed to have fire at German soldiers camped at Polish border.

Germans return fire; war is declared on Poland. Poland bombed, attacked with tanks,

infantry. Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. Nazi a Hitler attacks France.

British planes bomb Hamburg, mostly U-boat pens and refineries, but also hit tenement,

blowing away the top floors. France falls to Nazis. Germany takes control of Denmark,

Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Gerhard mentions possibility of

his dying to Helmuth. Announcement that Germany’s attacking Russia, bombing planes,

has declared war. Helmuth wonders, how many more people will have to die ? .
 German radio announces how many Russians killed or captured, Helmuth hears on

BBC about German losses of planes, ships, and lives. Helmuth told that because of

torture Gestapo uses, people will admit to anything just to get the pain to stop. Nazi

interrogator punches Helmuth in face, knocking him down, kicks him in stomach, ribs.

Helmuth in holding cell hears screams, sobs. Guard hits Helmuth with truncheon,

prisoners forced to stand at attention, noses one inch from the wall, never moving.

Helmuth tortured to tell who his accomplices are, he’s cuffed spread-eagled on his bed.

Helmuth wishes he could die, wants to kill himself for giving names of his friends. Rudi

sentenced to ten years in prison, Karl to five, Duewer to four. Helmuth taken to place of

execution, execution not described.

At the back of the novel, there are photographs of Helmuth, his friends and family,

as well as an extensive, not to be skipped over Author’s Note explaining how Bartoletti

researched the novel and the people she interviewed.Helmuth was the youngest resister of

the Third Reich to be executed.

Susan Bartolettis The Boy Who Dared is a thought-provoking and compelling novel

that effectively transports readers to Nazi Germany during World War II. Through the

story of Helmuth Hübener, the book explores themes of courage, resistance, and the

power of standing up for what is right. Bartolettis’s vivid storytelling and well-developed

characters make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in history and the human

spirit’s indomitable strength.

The book chronicles Hübener’s incredible courage and determination as he secretly

listens to foreign radio broadcasts, compiles information about Nazi war crimes, and

distributes anti-Nazi leaflets to wake up his fellow citizens. Hübener’s act of defiance,
though seemingly insignificant in the face of the Nazi regime’s overwhelming power,

highlights the power of individual action and the importance of speaking out against

injustice, regardless of the consequences.

As Hübener’s activities are discovered by the Gestapo, readers are taken through

tense and heart-wrenching moments, as he is interrogated, imprisoned, and subjected to

brutal treatment. His unwavering spirit and refusal to betray his principles stand as a

testament to the strength of human resilience and the unwavering pursuit of truth.

Ultimately, The Boy Who Dared is a testament to the power of one individual’s

bravery and the ability to make a difference, even in the face of unspeakable adversity. It

serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and resisting

injustice, no matter the personal cost. Bartoletti’s masterful storytelling and deep empathy

for her characters make this book a must-read for anyone interested in World War II

history, the Holocaust, or the human spirit's capacity for resilience.

Through Helmuth’s eyes, readers experience the conflicting emotions and decisions

faced by those living under the Nazi regime, making The Boy Who Dared a significant

narrative about bravery, truth, and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs.

Furthermore, The Boy Who Dared highlights the importance of remembrance and

historical reflection. By shedding light on the lesser-known story of Helmuth Hübener,

Campbell invites readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past and to recognize

the enduring legacy of those who dared to resist. In doing so, the novel serves as a

poignant reminder of the consequences of complacency and the enduring power of

courage in the face of injustice.