Jankiel Character Analysis

Jankiel is a dark-eyed orphan who has recently arrived at Mother Minka’s remote Catholic orphanage. When he arrives, Mother Minka makes him promise not to tell the other children about the Nazi atrocities occurring in the world beyond the orphanage. When bullies target Jankiel, Felix and Dodie try to save him. Felix wonders whether Jankiel might be secretly Jewish too but never asks him, knowing Jankiel wouldn’t want to admit it at the Catholic orphanage. Jankiel runs into Felix as Felix is escaping the orphanage and tries to convince him not to leave; he won’t say why due to his promise to Mother Minka but insists Felix will “really regret” entering the outside world. Felix ignores him. Jankiel functions as foil for Felix: like Felix, he is probably a Jewish boy whom Mother Minka is intentionally concealing from the Nazis, but unlike Felix, he is knowledgeable and fearful whereas Felix (when the novel begins) is ignorant and brave.