Conclusion
Between Shades of Gray has many connections between setting, conflict, and characters from history. The connections between the setting in the book and in history; is the hometown of Lina's family (Kaunas), the place where Lina and her family along with many others were taken to (Siberia), the cattle cars, and finally the place where they were deported to (the Arctic Circle).The connections between the conflicts in the book and in history are; being deported, living on cattle cars, working in labor camps, and losing loved ones.The connections between the characters in the book and the characters in history are Stalin and the NKVD’s terror inflicted upon the people of the Baltic states and the characteristics and actions taken by the people of the Baltic states. All of the actions taken by Stalin and the NKVD that occur in the book and in history include forcing deportation on their “enemies”, exiling them to labor camps, and executing those who would defy them. All of the actions taken by the people of the Baltic states or the deportees that occur in the book and in history include the need to spread the word of the crimes committed against them, their acts of rebellion in order to gain their freedom back, and our theme, people often have the will to survive in order to help others.