Analysis:
In chapter fourteen, Corrie describes how her sister Betsie dies in the Ravensbruck hospital. During the final year of Ravensbruck’s operation, over eighty prisoners died each day from disease, starvation and physical exhaustion. Betsie dies before the camp began mass extermination of the prisoners in order to hide the evidence. Although Corrie does not know this fact, she feels grateful for Betsie’s release from prison.
The setting of this chapter is internal and interpersonal, rather than the external environment, which alters little from the time of Betsie and Corrie’s arrival. Corrie focuses on human interactions and their ministry to the women in their barracks. Although Corrie does not describe the camp in further detail, she conveys the atmosphere of terror during the final weeks. Guards increase acts of violence on prisoners because they are afraid of reports that Germany is losing the war. Anxiety dominates the actions of many at Ravensbruck.
Corrie experiences the frustration of bureaucracy again, when the guards force everyone to wait after roll call until a woman is found. The meaningless waiting is heavily symbolic of Betsie and Corrie’s time in Ravensbruck. However, Corrie and Betsie rediscover what they believe is God’s purpose upon learning that the fleas prevented guards from entering the barracks. Betsie and Corrie are thankful for God’s provision even in small matters.
The main internal conflict for Corrie in chapter fourteen is the temptation to be selfish and self-interested. Corrie judges her actions strictly when she realizes that she has been selfish and sinful. For Corrie, the scriptural metaphor of the thorn in Paul’s side represents the need to rely fully on God. Although Corrie sees her behavior as negative, she displays how much she has developed as a character. The narrative also testifies to Betsie’s positive influence on her sister throughout their lives.
Finally, Corrie returns to the image of the blue sweater, which Nollie sent to her in Scheveningen. In prison, Corrie used the sweater for warmth and as a reminder of the world beyond her prison cell. When Betsie dies, Corrie feels the physical loss of her sister, but believes they will reunite in heaven. Although Corrie cannot keep the lice-ridden sweater, she converts the sweater into a memory of her time with Betsie. Now the bond between the sisters is spiritual rather than physical. Despite the tragedy of Betsie’s death, Corrie feels hopeful at the close of the chapter.
