The Wind Knows My Name

Content Warning: This guide refers to mass violence and antisemitism, which are depicted in The Wind Knows My Name.

Early in the novel, Volker gives Samuel one of the medals he earned during military service and tells Samuel that it’s magical, granting courage if one rubs it. The medal becomes a symbol of the support a family can offer Samuel, and he keeps it with his violin and a picture of his parents. That Volker earned the medal during a war isn’t significant to its symbolic value because it’s more important as a memento of how Volker built a relationship with Samuel while hiding him from the Nazi party. Although the text doesn’t mention the medal often, it represents how that support stays with Samuel throughout his life, much like his music. Additionally, the metal’s magic links Samuel’s life to Anita’s in that her guardian angel and Azabahar provide similar mystical support during times of trouble.

At the novel’s end, Samuel passes the medal down to Anita, noting, “You can rub it as often as you need to, its power never wears out” (251). This reflects how Volker’s kindness and support remained an integral part of Samuel’s life and demonstrates Samuel’s hope that his support will be integral in Anita’s life.