In the Attic by Wladyslaw Szpilman – Class 10 SCERT

In the Attic by Wladyslaw Szpilman is the emotional story of a hiding Jew who was rescued by a German officer. Szpilman, a Jewish pianist, is hiding in the ruins of Warsaw during World War II. A German officer finds him but does not harm him and asks him to play the piano. Szpilman plays Chopin’s Nocturne in C Sharp Minor, despite his weak fingers. The officer is moved by the music and decides to help Szpilman survive. He provides Szpilman with food and a better hiding place in the attic. Over time, Szpilman remains hidden while the war continues outside. The officer visits for the last time, warning him to hold on until the war ends. When Warsaw is liberated, Szpilman tries to leave but is mistaken for a German soldier. Polish soldiers almost shoot him, but he convinces them he is Polish. Finally, Szpilman walks through the ruins of Warsaw as a free man, ready to rebuild his life. Let’s read and learn In the Attic – Class 10 SCERT.

In Malayalam

പോളണ്ടുകാരനായ സ്പിൽമാൻ എന്ന ഒരു പിയാനിസ്റ്റിൻ്റെയും അയാളെ രക്ഷിച്ച ഒരു പട്ടാളക്കാരൻ്റെയും കഥയാണിത്. രണ്ടാം ലോക മഹായുദ്ധത്തിൽ യഹൂദർ കൂട്ടക്കൊലക്ക് ഇരയായ സമയത്താണ് ഈ സംഭവകഥ നടക്കുന്നത്.

Notes

• Szpilman hides in the ruins of Warsaw during World War II. A German officer finds him but does not intend to harm him.
• The officer asks about his profession, and he reveals he is a pianist. The officer takes him to another room with a piano and asks him to play.
• He plays a song on the piano with his stiff fingers. The officer listens silently, then sighs and suggests he leave the city.
• The protagonist refuses, revealing he is Jewish. The officer inspects his attic hiding place and finds a better loft for hiding.
• The officer asks if he has food; he has none. The officer promises to bring food for him.
• The protagonist asks if the officer is German; he responds ashamedly.
• The officer shakes hands and leaves. Three days later, he returns with bread and jam.
• The officer tells him the war will end in a few weeks. He orders the protagonist to hold on and leaves again.
• The protagonist stays hidden for weeks as artillery sounds grow quieter. Soldiers move in and out of the attic without noticing him.
• On December 12, the officer visits for the last time. He brings more food and a warm eiderdown.
• The officer informs him he is leaving Warsaw with his unit. He urges the protagonist not to lose hope.
• The protagonist, in return, tells the officer his name, Szpilman. He offers future help through Polish Radio if needed.
• The officer smiles shyly and leaves. The protagonist spends Christmas and New Year alone.
• January 14 brings unusual noises from the street and building. Soldiers run up and down the stairs, speaking anxiously.
• Heavy artillery shakes the ground and walls on January 15. After three hours, the firing stops, leaving a tense silence.
• The protagonist does not sleep, fearing street fighting. The next morning, he hears Polish radio announcing Warsaw’s liberation.
• The Germans retreat without a fight. He prepares to go outside but sees guards on the road.
• He stays hidden until he hears women and children. He steps outside but is mistaken for a German by a woman.
• A guard fires at him, forcing him to flee back to the attic. Soldiers surround the building, assuming he is an enemy.
• He realizes he must prove he is Polish to avoid being shot. He runs down shouting, “Don’t shoot! I’m Polish!”
• A Polish officer confronts him, gun raised. The officer angrily demands an explanation for his German coat.
• The soldiers inspect him and finally believe he is Polish. They take him to their headquarters for food and cleaning.
• He spends two weeks in their care. He walks freely through Warsaw for the first time in years.
• He visits the ruins where the Jewish ghetto once stood. He reflects on the half a million Jews who were murdered there.
• He acknowledges that nothing remains of the once-thriving community. He decides to start a new life despite his painful past.
• He walks away, leaving behind years of suffering.

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Understand the Story with Short Questions

1. Who is the main character in the story?
   The main character is a Polish Jewish pianist named Władysław Szpilman. He is hiding in the ruins of Warsaw during World War II to survive the German occupation.
2. Why is Szpilman hiding?
   Szpilman is hiding because the Germans have taken over Warsaw, and he is Jewish. Most Jews were sent to concentration camps or killed. He is trying to survive in secret.
3. Who finds Szpilman in his hiding place?
   A German officer finds him. At first, Szpilman is scared, but the officer does not harm him. Instead, he shows kindness towards him.
4. What does Szpilman say he does for a living?
   He tells the German officer that he is a pianist. This surprises the officer, who then asks him to play something on the piano.
5. What song does Szpilman play?
   Szpilman plays Nocturne in C Sharp Minor by the famous Polish composer, Frédéric Chopin. His hands are dirty and stiff because he hasn’t played for years.
6. How does the officer react to Szpilman’s music?
   The officer listens silently and then sighs. He does not say much but seems to be moved by the performance.
7. Does the officer help Szpilman?
   Yes, the officer helps him. He finds a better hiding place in the attic and promises to bring him food.
8. Why does Szpilman ask the officer if he is German?
   He wants to understand if the officer is part of the enemy group. The officer seems upset by the question and responds that he is German but ashamed of it.
9. What food does the officer bring for Szpilman?
   He brings loaves of bread and jam wrapped in greaseproof paper. This helps Szpilman survive during his weeks of hiding.
10. How long does Szpilman stay in hiding?
    He hides for several months. He remains in the attic, avoiding soldiers and trying to survive.
11. What happens to the officer who helped Szpilman?
    The officer tells Szpilman that he is leaving Warsaw with his group. He warns Szpilman to stay strong and not lose hope.
12. What does Szpilman tell the officer before he leaves?
    He tells the officer his name, Szpilman, and where to find him if he ever needs help. He offers to help him through Polish Radio in the future.
13. What does Szpilman do on Christmas and New Year?
    He spends Christmas and New Year completely alone in hiding. He remembers his family and how life was before the war.
14. How does Szpilman find out that Warsaw is liberated?
    One morning, he hears Polish radio announcements saying that Germany has been defeated and that Warsaw is free.
15. What happens when Szpilman steps outside?
    A woman sees him in a German coat and mistakes him for a German soldier. She screams, and the guards shoot at him.
16. How does Szpilman escape being shot?
    He runs back to the attic. Then, he shouts to the soldiers that he is Polish and not a German. A Polish officer finally listens and stops the shooting.
17. How do the soldiers know Szpilman is Polish?
    The Polish officer asks why he is wearing a German coat. When they inspect him closely, they believe he is truly Polish and not a German spy.
18. Where do the soldiers take Szpilman?
    They take him to their headquarters, where he is given food and a chance to clean himself. He stays there for two weeks.
19. What does Szpilman see when he walks freely in Warsaw?
    He sees the ruins of the Jewish ghetto, where hundreds of thousands of Jews had been murdered. The place where so many people lived is now destroyed.
20. What does Szpilman do after the war ends?
    He realizes he must start a new life. He walks through Warsaw as a free man, looking toward his future while remembering the painful past.

നിങ്ങൾ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് ക്രഷ് സിർട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ് നേടിയ ഒരു വിദ്യാർഥി (ECCS) ആണോ? അല്ലായെങ്കിൽ എത്രയും വേഗം കോഴ്സ് സ്റ്റാർട്ട് ചെയ്യുക.

Questions with Longer Answers

1. How does the theme of survival shape the protagonist’s journey, and what does it reveal about human resilience?
   Survival is the central theme of the story, as Szpilman fights to stay alive under extreme conditions. He endures starvation, isolation, and constant fear of being caught by German soldiers. His ability to adapt—finding hiding places, accepting help, and keeping hope alive—shows human resilience. Despite losing his family and everything he once had, he refuses to give up. This theme underscores the deep instinct for survival even in the darkest times.
2. What does the story reveal about the complexity of human morality during wartime, particularly through the German officer’s actions?
   The German officer’s decision to help Szpilman presents a moral conflict. He is part of the army that carried out atrocities, yet he defies expectations by acting with kindness and compassion. This raises questions about morality in war—can individuals still hold on to their conscience despite being part of a brutal system? His shame about being German shows the emotional burden of being associated with cruelty, highlighting the inner conflict soldiers may experience.
3. How does music function as a symbol of hope and humanity in the story?
   Music plays a powerful role in the story. Szpilman’s piano performance moves the German officer, reminding him of beauty in a world filled with destruction. The act of playing music, despite his physical weakness, reconnects Szpilman with his identity and dignity. Music becomes a bridge between two individuals from opposing sides, proving that art can transcend war and suffering. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, beauty and culture endure.
4. What does the theme of isolation reveal about Szpilman’s psychological struggles?
   Throughout the story, Szpilman faces extreme isolation. He is physically separated from society, hidden away in the attic, and emotionally isolated after losing his family. His loneliness intensifies as months pass, leading to moments of despair. The story highlights the psychological toll of solitude—the fear, hopelessness, and longing for human connection. It raises questions about what keeps a person going when completely cut off from the world.
5. How does the theme of identity evolve in the story, particularly for Szpilman as a Polish Jew?
   Szpilman’s identity is central to his struggle. His Jewish heritage makes him a target, forcing him into hiding. At one point, his identity nearly costs him his life when he is mistaken for a German soldier. This moment emphasizes the danger of identity during war, where appearances can mean survival or death. The contrast between his Polish nationality and his Jewish background also reflects the deeper cultural complexities of wartime Poland.
6. What does the officer’s final act of kindness reveal about human connections across enemy lines?
   The officer’s decision to bring Szpilman food multiple times shows an unexpected human connection between enemies. Though they belong to opposing sides in the war, they form a strange, silent bond. The officer risks his safety to help someone who should be his enemy, proving that kindness can exist even in war. This challenges the idea that people are always defined by their nations or roles—humanity can shine through even in the worst conditions.
7. How does the theme of hope contrast with the destruction and despair in the story?
   While Szpilman lives in constant fear, moments of hope appear throughout the story. The officer’s kindness, the announcement of Warsaw’s liberation, and Szpilman’s survival after nearly being shot all serve as signs that life can continue. These small moments of hope contrast with the destruction around him—the ruined city, the loss of his family, and the murdered Jews of the Warsaw ghetto. The story suggests that hope can exist even in the worst tragedies.
8. What does Szpilman’s return to Polish Radio symbolize in the context of rebuilding after war?
   When Szpilman expresses his wish to return to Polish Radio, it represents his desire to reclaim his life. The war has taken away his home, his family, and his freedom, but his music remains. His survival and eventual return to his profession symbolize the resilience of life after destruction. Just as the city of Warsaw must be rebuilt, Szpilman must rebuild himself after years of suffering, proving that there can be life beyond war.
9. How does the theme of fate play a role in Szpilman’s survival?
   Several moments in the story suggest that Szpilman survives by sheer fate. The German officer’s unexpected kindness, the retreat of German troops without a fight, and even the mistaken identity moment show how small decisions and chance encounters save him. At one point, the officer tells him, “It’s obviously God’s will for us to live.” This raises questions about destiny—did Szpilman’s survival happen by chance, or was it meant to be?
10. What lessons can we learn from Szpilman’s story about overcoming adversity and moving forward after tragedy?
    Szpilman’s journey teaches resilience, endurance, and the ability to keep going even after immense loss. He experiences suffering beyond imagination yet does not let it break him. His survival reminds us that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always the possibility of recovery. His choice to move forward, rather than remain trapped in despair, shows that survival is not just about staying alive but about rebuilding life with meaning.

Textbook Questions

1. Why does the German officer help Szpilman and save his life?
   The German officer, Wilm Hosenfeld, helps Szpilman mainly because he no longer believes in what the Nazis are doing and feels kindness in his heart. He is not like many other soldiers. He does not see Szpilman as someone bad or dangerous. Instead, he sees a person who is scared, hungry, and needs help. One very important moment is when Szpilman plays the piano. His music is so beautiful that it goes beyond war and makes Hosenfeld feel something deep inside. Hearing the music helps Hosenfeld see that Szpilman is not just trying to survive—he is also a talented man who can bring beauty into a sad and broken world. This makes Hosenfeld want to protect him. Hosenfeld is also angry about the cruel things the Nazis are doing, and this pushes him to do what is right. So he decides to help Szpilman by giving him food and a warm place to stay, even though helping a Jew could get him into big trouble.
2. How does Szpilman maintain hope in extreme hardship and danger?
   Szpilman is able to stay alive because he has a strong wish to survive and believes that the war will not last forever. Even when he is starving and all alone, he does not give up. He keeps hope alive through small things—like remembering happy Christmas times from the past, noticing even the smallest sounds after long silence, and telling himself to stay strong just a little longer. The German officer also helps by giving him hope and making him believe that he can survive. Szpilman is mentally strong because he knows how to adjust to different situations. He keeps watching what is happening around him, finds new places to hide, takes help when someone offers it, and stops himself from feeling too sad. His quiet strength helps him to stay alive, even when it feels almost impossible.
3. Why was Szpilman afraid of being killed by Polish soldiers, his own countrymen?
   Szpilman, feeling very weak and wearing a German soldier’s coat, understands that how someone looks can be dangerous. In the middle of war in Warsaw, people could be killed just for looking like the enemy. A woman thought Szpilman was a German and told the soldiers. The soldiers, without waiting, began shooting at him. This is a sad twist—after hiding from German soldiers for so many years, he is now in danger from the people who came to free him. Szpilman is very scared because he knows that in war, one small mistake can lead to death. He understands that even though the war is almost over, he is still not safe. He must quickly prove to the Polish soldiers that he is not a German, but one of them, before they shoot him by mistake.
4. How do luck, chance, and human kindness help Szpilman to survive?
   Szpilman’s survival is not solely due to his own efforts; it is also shaped by chance encounters and acts of kindness. Meeting Wilm Hosenfeld was pure luck, but the officer’s empathy ensured Szpilman’s survival. His decision to hide in the attic rather than elsewhere, his ability to stay unnoticed when soldiers transported packages—all these moments of fortune contributed to his escape from death. But luck alone was not enough; the kindness of individuals, like Hosenfeld bringing food and encouraging him to hold on, played an equally vital role. These elements combined to keep Szpilman alive long enough for the war to end.
5. Was it risky for the German officer to help Szpilman? Why?
   Yes, it was highly risky. The Nazi regime strictly enforced racial and ideological purity, and aiding a Jewish man was considered treasonous. If discovered, Hosenfeld could have faced severe punishment, including execution or imprisonment. His actions were driven by conscience rather than duty, making them dangerous yet noble. Despite being a member of the German army, Hosenfeld saw past propaganda and recognized the atrocities being committed. His assistance to Szpilman was a defiance of Nazi principles, making his risk immeasurable.
6. Why is Szpilman’s memoir classified as ‘survivor testimony’? How does ‘survivor testimony’ enrich history and literature?
   Szpilman’s memoir is classified as ‘survivor testimony’ because it offers a firsthand account of the horrors faced by Jews during World War II. Survivor testimonies provide an unfiltered, raw perspective that history books sometimes lack. They capture personal experiences, emotions, and struggles that statistics and official reports cannot fully convey. In literature, survivor narratives create a direct connection between past atrocities and present understanding, ensuring that history is remembered in its most human form. These accounts enhance empathy and awareness, preventing history from being reduced to distant events.
7. What does ‘en masse’ mean in the context?
   The phrase ‘en masse’ means ‘as a whole group’ or ‘all together.’ In the context of war and persecution, it refers to large-scale movements, often forced ones, such as the deportation of Jewish populations or mass evacuations. The phrase emphasizes the indiscriminate nature of events where individuals are treated as part of a collective rather than as unique human beings.
8. How are these expressions different from other common phrases in English?
   Expressions like ‘en masse’ are borrowed from French and retain their original structure when used in English. Unlike idiomatic phrases that evolve within English, these foreign-origin expressions maintain a distinct flavor, often making them sound more formal or sophisticated. They are concise, carrying meaning in a succinct way without requiring additional words for clarity.
9. Szpilman’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, morality, and the role of luck in survival. What are your thoughts on his experience?
   Szpilman’s story shows how strong human will can be, even in terrible situations. He survives by never giving up, staying hopeful, and adjusting to each danger. His meeting with the German officer, Wilm Hosenfeld, is a turning point. The officer helps him—not because he has to, but because he feels it is the right thing to do. Luck plays a big role in survival. Szpilman’s hiding place keeps him safe, and the officer’s kindness gives him food and hope. Without these moments, he might not have lived. This story also shows that war is complicated—some soldiers, like Hosenfeld, choose to help rather than harm. Personal stories like Szpilman’s help us understand history better. Instead of just learning about battles and dates, we see what war was like for real people. His story reminds us that even in the worst times, kindness and determination can save lives.

Writing Tasks

Letter Writing 1

Dear Officer,

I do not know your name, but I will never forget you. You saved my life when I had lost all hope. I was hungry, cold, and afraid, hiding in the ruins, uncertain if I would live to see the next day. Then you appeared—not as an enemy, but as a friend. You brought me food when I was starving. You helped me find a safer hiding place. You gave me comfort when I felt completely alone. No one else had shown me kindness in a long time. You risked your life to help me, and I will always be grateful. The war is over now, and I am free. I no longer have to hide. But as I walk through the streets of Warsaw, I remember those dark days and how you gave me hope when I had none. Your kindness was rare in those terrible times. I want you to know that I have returned to my music. I will play the piano again, and every time I do, I will remember the moment you asked me to play for you. You reminded me that even in war, humanity still exists.

Yours sincerely,
Szpilman.

Letter Writing 2

Dear Szpilman,

I hope this letter reaches you safely. I do not know where you are now, but I have always hoped that you survived. You are a strong and brave man, and I admired you from the moment you placed your hands on the piano.

I did not know much about music, but when you played, I felt something I could not explain. In that moment, we were not enemies—we were just two human beings. That feeling stayed with me, and I could not walk away knowing that you were suffering. Helping you was the right thing to do. I am sorry for all that you lost. War has taken too much from too many people. I was a soldier, but I did not support the cruelty I witnessed. When I saw you hiding, I knew I had to act. It was a small kindness, but I hoped it would help you stay alive.

If you are reading this, it means you survived, and that makes me happy. Keep playing the piano, Szpilman. Your music brings light to the world, and after all that has happened, we need as much light as possible.

Your friend, The Officer.

Report Writing 1

Based on the story, In the Attic by Wladyslaw Szpilman, write an imaginary report writing with a headline – The Liberation of Warsaw – A Survivor’s Story

The Liberation of Warsaw – A Survivor’s Story

January 17, 1945

The city of Warsaw was finally liberated. The German forces, which had controlled the city for years, withdrew, and Soviet and Polish troops entered. The people of Warsaw had suffered greatly—families were torn apart, homes were destroyed, and thousands had died. The war had left the city in ruins, but with the arrival of freedom, hope was reborn.

Among the survivors was Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist who had been hiding in the ruins of the city. With no food and little shelter, he had survived for months with the help of an unexpected source—a German officer who secretly brought him bread and blankets. The officer, ashamed of his own country’s actions, helped Szpilman stay alive until the war ended.

When Szpilman finally stepped out of hiding, he saw a city that was unrecognizable. Buildings had collapsed, streets were empty, and there was silence where there had once been life. Though the war had ended, the damage would take years to repair.

Now, Warsaw could rebuild. The people could return to their lives, though many had lost everything. For Szpilman, the piano remained his solace, and despite the horrors he had faced, he would go on to play again, keeping the spirit of Warsaw alive through his music.

Conversation 1

Based on the story, In the Attic by Wladyslaw Szpilman, write an imaginary conversation between a survivor of the war and Mr Szpilman.

• Survivor: Szpilman! I cannot believe my eyes—you are alive!
• Szpilman: Yes, I survived. It was difficult, but I never gave up hope.
• Survivor: How did you make it through? The city was destroyed, and so many were lost.
• Szpilman: I hid in the ruins for a long time. I had no food, no warmth. But then, something unexpected happened.
• Survivor: What was it?
• Szpilman: A German officer helped me. He brought me bread and jam. He even gave me a blanket.
• Survivor: A German officer? That is hard to believe.
• Szpilman: I know. Not all soldiers are cruel. He was different. He did not support the war.
• Survivor: You were lucky to find someone like that. And now the war is over. What will you do?
• Szpilman: I will return to my music. I want to play the piano again. It is the only thing that kept me going.

Character Sketches

The officer was a German soldier, yet he did not fully support his country’s actions. He saw the suffering around him and felt ashamed. When he discovered Szpilman hiding, he did not turn him in—he helped him. He risked his own life to bring food and blankets to a Jewish man, knowing that if anyone found out, he could be punished. Despite this, he continued to help, because he believed it was the right thing to do. The officer’s kindness showed that even in war, humanity can exist. He was not just a soldier; he was a man with a conscience. His actions proved that even small acts of kindness can save lives.

Author

Władysław Szpilman [pronounced: Vwa’diswaf ‘Spilman] (1911 –2000) was a Polish pianist and classical composer. His memoir The Pianist was published in 1946. The book was adapted into a film by Roman Polanski in 2002. Szpilman composed over 500 works, including piano pieces, songs, and film scores.

Contexts

The story takes place during World War II, specifically in Warsaw, Poland, between 1939 and 1945. Warsaw was heavily affected by the war, especially with the Nazi occupation and the Holocaust. In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, starting World War II. Warsaw, the capital, was bombed heavily, and soon, the Nazis took control. They imposed strict laws, especially targeting Jews, forcing them into ghettos and eventually deporting them to concentration camps. By 1940, the Germans forced about 400,000 Jews into a small part of the city known as the Warsaw Ghetto. Conditions were terrible—food was scarce, diseases spread, and people lived in constant fear. In 1943, the Jews inside the ghetto rebelled in what became known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, but the Nazis crushed it. After the uprising, the Nazis destroyed the ghetto completely, killing most Jews or sending them to concentration camps. Szpilman was one of the few who survived by hiding in the ruins of Warsaw, depending on help from others. The city itself was nearly destroyed by bombings and German retaliation.

In 1944, Polish resistance fighters (not just Jews, but all Polish citizens) launched the Warsaw Uprising to fight back against the Germans. The battle lasted for over two months, but the Nazis eventually won and almost completely destroyed the city. After this, Szpilman was left alone in the ruins. In January 1945, Soviet forces liberated Warsaw. By then, most of the city was in ruins, and over half a million Polish Jews had been killed. Szpilman survived by staying hidden and receiving help from the German officer who opposed the war. After the war, Szpilman resumed his work as a pianist at Polish Radio. His story was later published and became famous worldwide, showing both the horrors of war and the unlikely acts of humanity even among enemies.

The story is deeply tied to the Holocaust, Jewish survival, the destruction of Warsaw, and the emotional struggles of war. It is a real-life testimony of resilience, kindness in unexpected places, and the deep scars left by World War II. Let me know if you want to explore specific aspects in more detail!

Textual Analysis

I slumped on the chair by the larder door. It was some time before I stammered, with difficulty, “Do what you like to me. I’m not moving from here.”

“I’ve no intention of doing anything to you!” the officer said. Then he asked me, “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a pianist.” He looked at me more closely. Then his glance fell on the door to the other room. An idea seemed to have struck him.

“Come with me, will you?”

We went into the next room where a piano stood by the wall. The officer pointed to the instrument. “Play something!”

I looked enquiringly at him and did not move. He obviously sensed my fears, since he added reassuringly, “It’s all right, you can play. If anyone comes, you can hide in the larder and I’ll say it was me trying the instrument out.”

When I placed my fingers on the keyboard they shook. I hadn’t practised for two and half years, my fingers were stiff and covered with a thick layer of dirt, and I had not cut my nails for some weeks. I played Chopin’s Nocturne in C sharp minor. When I finished, the silence seemed gloomy and eerie. I heard a shot down below outside the building – a harsh, loud German noise. The officer looked at me in silence. After a while he sighed, and muttered, “All the same, you shouldn’t stay here. I’ll take you out of the city, to a village. You’ll be safer there.”

I shook my head. “I can’t leave this place,” I said firmly. Only now did he seem to understand my real reason for hiding among the ruins.

“You’re Jewish?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Yes, well,” he murmured, “in that case I see you really can’t leave. Where are you hiding?”

“In the attic.” He inspected the attic and discovered something I had not yet noticed: a loft made of boards directly above the entrance to the attic. The officer said he thought I should hide in this loft. He asked if I had anything to eat.

“No,” I said.

“Well, never mind” he added hastily, “I’ll bring you some food.”

Only now did I venture a question of my own. “Are you German?”

He almost shouted his answer in agitation, as if my question had been an insult. “Yes, I am! And ashamed of it, after everything that’s been happening.” Abruptly, he shook hands with me and left.

Three days passed before he reappeared. It was evening and pitch dark when I heard a whisper under my loft.

“Hello, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here,” I replied. Soon afterwards, something heavy landed beside me. Through the paper, I felt several loaves and something soft, which later turned out to be jam wrapped in greaseproof paper.

I quickly put the package to one side and called, “Wait a moment!”

The voice in the dark sounded impatient. “What is it? Hurry up. The guards saw me come in here, and I mustn’t stay long. Just hang on a few more weeks—the war will be over by spring at the latest.”

The voice fell silent, I did not know if the officer was still there, or if he had gone. But suddenly he spoke again,“ You must hang on, do you hear?”

His voice sounded harsh, almost as if he were giving an order, convincing me of his unyielding belief that the war would end well for us. Only then did I hear the quiet sound of the attic door closing.

Monotonous, hopeless weeks passed by. I heard less and less artillery fire. There were days when not a single shot broke the silence. Soldiers went up and down the stairs, often bringing large packages up to the attic and fetching others down. But my hiding place was well chosen; no one ever thought of searching the loft.

On 12 December, the officer came for the last time. He brought me a larger supply of bread than before and a warm eiderdown. He told me he was leaving Warsaw with his detachment, and I must on no account lose heart.

“But how will I survive the street fighting?” I asked anxiously.

“If you and I have survived this inferno for over five years,” he replied, “it’s obviously God’s will for us to live.”

We had already said goodbye, and he was about to go, when an idea came to me at the last moment. I had long been racking my brains for some way of showing him my gratitude.

“Listen!” I took his hand and began speaking urgently. “I never told you my name you didn’t ask me, but I want you to remember it. Who knows what may happen? You have a long way to go home. If I survive, I’ll certainly be working for Polish Radio again. I was there before the war. If anything happens to you, if I can help you then in any way, remember my name: Szpilman, Polish Radio.”

He smiled his usual smile, half shy and embarrassed, but I felt I had given him pleasure with my naive wish to help him.

The first hard frosts came in the middle of December. Christmas came, and then the New Year 1945: the sixth Christmas and New Year celebrations of the war, and the worst I had known. I lay in the dark, listening to the stormy wind. I heard the squeaking and rustling of rats and mice running back and forth in the attic. In my mind, I went over every Christmas before and during the war. At first, I had a home, parents, two sisters and a brother. Then we had no home of our own any more, but we were together. Later I was alone, but surrounded by other people. And now I was lonelier, I supposed, than anyone else in the world. I had to be alone, entirely alone, if I wanted to live.

On 14 January unusual noises in the building and the street outside woke me. Soldiers ran up and down the stairs, and I heard agitated, nervous voices. Early in the morning of 15 January, the sound of artillery from the previously silent front was heard. The ground and the walls of the building shook under the constant dull thunder. Three hours later the heavy artillery fire died down again, but I was as nervous as ever. I did not sleep at all that night. The street fighting would begin at any
moment, and I could be killed.

The night passed peacefully. Around one o’clock I heard the remaining Germans leaving the building. Silence fell. I could not even hear the steps of the guards outside the building.

Not until the early hours of the next day was the silence broken by a loud and resonant noise, the last sound I had expected. Radio loudspeakers set up somewhere nearby were broadcasting announcements in Polish of the defeat of Germany and the liberation of Warsaw. The Germans had withdrawn without a fight.

As soon as it began to get light, I prepared feverishly for my first venture out. My officer had left me a German military overcoat to keep me from freezing. I had already put it on when I suddenly heard the rhythmic footsteps of guards out in the road again. Had the Soviet and Polish troops withdrawn, then? I sank on my mattress, utterly dejected, and lay there until something new came to my ears: the voices of women and children. At all costs, I had to get information.

I ran downstairs, put my head out of the front door and looked out. It was a grey misty morning. To my left, not far away, stood a woman soldier in a uniform that was difficult to identify at this distance. A woman with a bundle on her back was approaching from my right. When she came closer I ventured to speak to her: “Hello. Excuse me…” I called in a muted voice, beckoning her over. She stared at me, dropped her bundle and took to her heels with a shriek of, “A German!” Immediately the
guard turned, saw me, aimed and fired her machine pistol. The bullets hit the wall, and without thinking, I rushed up the stairs and took refuge in the attic.

Looking out of my little window a few minutes later, I saw that the whole building was surrounded. I heard soldiers calling to each other and then the sound of shots and exploding hand grenades. This time my situation was absurd. I was going to be shot by Polish soldiers in liberated Warsaw, on the very verge of freedom. Feverishly, I began to wonder how I could make them realize that I was Polish before they despatched me to the next world as a German in hiding.

I began coming down the stairs, shouting as loud as I could, “Don’t shoot! I’m Polish!”

Very soon I heard swift footsteps climbing the stairs. The figure of a young officer in Polish uniform, with the eagle on his cap, came into view. He pointed a pistol at me and shouted, “Hands up!”

I repeated my cry of, “Don’t shoot! I’m Polish!” The lieutenant went red with fury. ”Then why in God’s name don’t you come down?” he roared. “And what are you doing in the German coat?”

Only when the soldiers had taken a closer look at me and reviewed the situation did they really believe I wasn’t German. Then they decided to take me to their headquarters so that I could wash and have a meal.

After two weeks, well cared for by the military, I walked through the streets of Warsaw without fear, a free man, for the first time in almost six years. I looked over to the north of the city, where the ghetto had been, where half
a million Jews had been murdered—there was nothing left of it. Tomorrow I must begin a new life, with nothing but death behind me. I went on my way.

Writing Tasks | In the Attic – Class 10 SCERT

Szpilman’s Diary Entry

Today, I awoke to a strange silence. The artillery had stopped, and for the first time in years, Warsaw seemed… different. I listened carefully, afraid of false hope. And then, voices—women, children—something I had not heard in what felt like a lifetime. The Germans had gone. Could it be true? Yet, freedom remains elusive. When I stepped outside, desperate for confirmation, fear took hold once again. The woman’s scream, the soldier’s shot—I barely escaped. To be mistaken for the enemy now, at the very moment of liberation, is cruel. I think of the officer who saved me. What became of him? His kindness kept me alive, reminding me that even in war, humanity can exist in unexpected places. My survival is fragile, but now, for the first time, I allow myself to believe that I might truly live. Tomorrow, I step into a new world.

Officer’s Diary Entry

Warsaw is dying. This city, once vibrant, now crumbles under the weight of war. Each day, I witness destruction, and worse—the cruelty of my own people. How much longer can I endure this shame? Then, there was the pianist. A broken man, trembling, his fingers stiff with neglect. Yet when he touched the keys, something stirred within me—remnants of the life we have all lost. He should not die here, hidden in these ruins, fading into nothing. I do what I can, bringing bread, warm clothing. It is little, but perhaps enough to sustain him until this nightmare ends. He tells me his name, asks me to remember it. Szpilman, Polish Radio. He speaks with such conviction, as if fate will one day let us meet again under better circumstances. I leave tomorrow, but I will carry his name with me. If there is justice in this world, he will survive. He must.

May 22, 2025