The Ogre day 4

In Hebrew, the name Ephriam means "fruitful". In Genesis, Ephriam, son of Joseph, is a leader of one of the tribes of Israel. He is blessed by Jacob, his grandfather, and then establishes himself as they wandered in the desert and finally settled in Israel.

In the novel, Abel saves Ephriam from death and brings him to the school. Unlike Abel's gathering of the Aryan, blond boys, Abel saves Ephriam from harm. As the other boys end up destroyed, Ephriam becomes stronger and survives. As the Russians attack the castle, Ephriam is celebrating the Passover seder, asking "Why is this night different from all other nights?" (p. 365). Abel delivers the Jewish boy just as the Jews were delivered out of Egypt in the story of Passover.

"All right, we'll go... The soldiers of God are striking down the eldest born of the Egyptians, but they will protect our flight." (p. 365)

Early in the novel (p. 40-41), Abel learns the story of St. Christopher saving the travelers and the Christ Child by carrying them across the river. The novel ends with Abel acting like St. Christopher and carrying Ephriam, saving him while he is sinking into the swamp.

I interpret this ending as redemptive. Despite the destruction of the children at the castle, he saves the innocent Ephriam, as a symbol of the Nation of Israel, continuing east.

There is a Talmudic saying, that says "Save one life as if you have saved the world".