Mr. Beck Character Analysis in Salt to the Sea

Florian’s father. He was killed by Nazis after helping create maps for a failed assassination attempt on Hitler. A thoughtful and principled man, who always encouraged Florian to think and create for himself. During their last conversation before Mr. Beck’s execution, he advises his son to make sure that he does not become a traitor. Florian assumes his father is advising him not to be a traitor to his country, but Mr. Beck clarifies that he wants to make sure Florian stays true to himself and his own moral compass, and does not become “a traitor to [his] soul.”

Mr. Beck Character Timeline in Salt to the Sea

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Beck appears in Salt to the Sea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Family and Community vs. Selfishness Theme Icon

...he wills himself to continue forward. He remembers his mother telling him he’s talented, and his father reminding him “You are Prussian. Make your own decisions, son.” He wonders if his parents... (full context)

...that Hitler has occupied Poland, killing millions of ethnic Poles and Polish Jews. Florian and his father both agreed that Hitler was a coward, but he still has little sympathy for Emilia... (full context)

...are officially allowed to evacuate. As Florian walks, he thinks back to a conversation with Florian’s father , who warned him that Dr. Lange was trying to use his son, not train... (full context)

Those were the last word’s Florian’s father ever spoke to him, as he was killed soon after. Now, Florian carries on in his... (full context)

...soldier will not return to him. Florian thinks of Dr. Lange, whom he trusted, although Florian’s father initially saw through him and warned Florian against his mentor. (full context)

...unknowingly, I had been helping.” The next day Florian traveled home to Tilsit to ask Florian’s father for advice. When he arrived, a neighbor informed him his father had been killed. (full context)

...forge his own. He thinks back to when he first started drawing, and how proud Florian’s father was of his skill. However, Florian was happy to only make copies, whereas his father... (full context)

...side is visible, even as he considers his sippenhaft, or bloodguilt, an invisible wound. Because his father made maps for an assassination attempt on Hitler, he was hanged. Florian is guilty by... (full context)

...he is carrying the amber swan. He stole this out of revenge after Nazis killed his father . To try and explain why he has been deceiving her, Florian asks Joana if... (full context)