Alex is an eighteen-year-old Jew who lives in Germany during World War II. Alex’s mom died and his dad gets remarried so he has a stepmother and a step-sister that are Catholic, though but Alex still maintains his Jewish identity. Alex is an important character in Train who exhibits bravery, a caring nature, and caution in his decision-making.

 

     Alex cares for people and goes out of his way to let them know. Every year for his little sister’s birthday,  Alex creates a scavenger hunt. For the first time, he isn’t going to be there for his sister’s birthday, but he still made the scavenger hunt for her.  One of the final notes of the scavenger hunt notes said,“‘Happy fifteenth birthday to my favorite (and only) little sister. I’m so sorry to be missing your celebration, but I’m thinking of you… by now, Mama and Papa would have told you everything… I wish I could take you with me, Ruti… Make sure you work hard in school. I know you will. And look after our crazy parents…’”(23). This example shows that even though he wasn't able to make it to his sister's birthday he stills says happy birthday through a note that's something not everyone can do. He cares deeply for his sister and finds thoughtful, creative ways to show her.

 

     One of Alex's defining qualities is bravery. When Alex was going out to get his false papers so he could leave Berlin with Marko. Before he left he ripped off his yellow star.“ Alex lifted the corner of the yellow star. The stitches snapped as he ripped it off, leaving no mark on the woolen fabric” (23). This act was illegal for Jews to do, as they were forced to wear the star at all times to identify them as Jews. Ripping off his star was a brazen act, but also a very brave one. 

 

     However, most of the time, Alex is cautious. In one example, when Alex walks down the street he sees Nazis and walks away into a alley. But, people were still following him, “Alex turned left onto a quiet side street and glanced back. The Nazi guards were out of sight, but the Jewish man and young women were following him.” Though he showed bravery by removing his yellow star, he still know when he needs to hide or retreat to protect his life. His caution is an important factor in his secret relationship with  Marko. In fact, we see each of his personality traits in how he interacts with Marko: his caring nature, his bravery being with him, and his caution in keeping it private.

 

     Because Alex is both Jewish and gay, he faces many dangers at this time. He is still resilient in the sense that he is not an angry person; rather he is a bright, caring, brave, and conscious person.

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