Brief Summary Of The Book 'The Cage'

Name: Enzo Cupani
The Cage Essay Courage is defined as “the ability to do something that frightens one.” This was displayed throughout the memoir The Cage by Ruth Minsky Sender in many places. During the holocaust, many people needed to exhibit courage in order to survive. There were many instances where characters stood up for what they believed in. The nazis struck terror in those who were not seen as equal to Germans and few people stood up to these guards in fear for their lives. Moishe and Catia were just two people who put Rivas lives before their own and stood up to the guards in order to save Riva’s life. Characters throughout the memoir demonstrate strength and courage in the face of fear in order to save lives of those they love.

The only doctor that Moishe could take Riva required them to cross the Ghetto bridge, and crossing the Ghetto bridge is gambling with your life. Nazi soldiers would take random, uncalled for sniper shots at people with the mindset that they would eventually be killed anyway. Moishe carried Riva in her weakened state all the way across the bridge and made it safely, he did this so he could save Riva’s life, and put her life before his own. This is considered courage because even though Moishe feared for his own life, he feared for Rivas more than his own, and this is the ultimate act of courage. Later on in the memoir when Riva had moved to the concentration camps, bathing in, clean, warm water was strictly forbidden and had untold consequences if caught doing so. Catia is the doctor of the camp, and friend of Riva. After the hard times and suffering, Riva had