While Mortals Sleep by Jack Cavanaugh
"While Mortals Sleep" by Jack Cavanaugh is a historical fiction novel set in Nazi Germany, focusing on the moral dilemmas faced by Reverend Josef Schumacher and his congregation during this tumultuous period. The story unfolds in December 1939, beginning with Josef's intervention on behalf of a church member's father who is persecuted for listening to British broadcasts. As Josef grapples with the growing influence of the Nazis, he strives to instill courage and faith in the youth of his church, all while confronting the realities of anti-Semitism and violence against Jews, represented by the tragic fate of Professor Meyerhof.
Throughout the narrative, characters must navigate their beliefs and actions against the backdrop of an oppressive regime, leading to critical decisions that test their faith and moral integrity. Josef's journey evolves as he becomes increasingly involved in clandestine efforts to rescue Jewish children from the horrors of the Nazi regime, showcasing themes of sacrifice, resistance, and the struggle between good and evil. His wife, Mady, and other community members also face their own challenges, balancing personal safety with the moral imperative to act against injustice. Ultimately, the novel highlights the courage of individuals who stand against tyranny, illustrating the profound impact of their choices during a dark chapter in history.
While Mortals Sleep by Jack Cavanaugh
First published: Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, 2001
Genre(s): Novel
Subgenre(s): Evangelical fiction; historical fiction (twentieth century)
Core issue(s): Children; fear; good vs. evil; pastoral role; persecution; sacrifice
Principal characters
Josef Schumacher , a pastor and the protagonistMady Schumacher , Josef’s wifeLisette Janssen , a member of the church youth groupKonrad Reichmann , a Hitler Youth memberVictor Meyerhof , a Jewish professorWilhelm Olbricht , Josef’s father-in-lawMartin Wolff , an SS officerAdolf , Wolff’s collaborator
Overview
In December, 1939, the Reverend Josef Schumacher intervenes when a young man from his church reports his father for listening to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Josef is taken for interrogation, making him late for the young people’s Christmas gathering. He determines to influence the members of the church youth group, including Lisette Janssen and Konrad Reichmann. At the party, he gives each youth a coin inscribed with a verse from Scripture. He encourages the young people to carry the coins and think about their verse. When Josef’s Hebrew teacher arrives as the youth depart, Konrad rudely bumps into Professor Meyerhof because he is Jewish.
In April, 1940, the Hitler Youth members are summoned during a Sunday service. Josef dislikes the disrespect the timing exhibits, so his father-in-law Wilhelm Olbricht suggests he attend a Hitler Youth meeting. Josef attends the Führer’s birthday celebration. The outstanding unit of the year includes some boys from Josef’s church youth group, and the Führer’s speech stirs Josef’s German patriotism. However, he cannot reconcile the inspiring words with the harshness of the Nazis. He interferes in the beating of an elderly man and absorbs a few blows until Konrad recognizes him and calls the altercation to a halt. Josef discovers the injured Jew is Meyerhof. He escorts him home and finds his professor has been granted permission to live in his former pantry since he can no longer own property. In his cramped quarters, Meyerhof keeps a photo of his wife and Josef’s mother-in-law; the women grew up together.
In May, Josef exclaims that they will not use the Nazi salute in church but greet each other as Christians. Josef locates Konrad on patrol. He leads him to Meyerhof’s living quarters. Konrad agrees to spend five minutes with the Jew, but when Josef knocks, no one answers. He finds Meyerhof hanging from the rafters. Later, SS agents haul Josef to Gestapo headquarters. They use torture to force him to practice the Nazi salute. Olbricht picks him up and warns him to leave the struggle to unmarried ministers. Mady, Josef’s wife, accuses him of being irresponsible, saying his actions will not change anything. Josef agrees. However, when Mady wants him not to cross the Nazis again, he maintains that it is his responsibility to speak against actions and beliefs that lead people away from God. The next Sunday, his in-laws and two SS officers attend services. He asks for casket bearers for Meyerhof’s funeral, but no one volunteers. The rest of the service progresses well, and Josef greets everyone with the obligatory “Heil Hitler.” At home, Josef stews about the cowardice of his congregation. He realizes he is no different than his church members. Josef wonders how to effect change without endangering his family. He recalls a note saying if he is a friend of Martin Luther to use the word “bulwark” in a sermon. The next Sunday, Josef refers to Martin Luther, then quotes from “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” including the word “bulwark.”
After an intense test of his intent, Josef meets his contacts—Adolf and Martin Wolff, one of the SS officers who had enforced the salute. Wolff reveals that the Führer has authorized infanticide. Josef is drafted for Operation Ramah, a plan to rescue as many children as possible. Two weeks later, Josef, Wolff, and Adolf steal the file on the children involved. They learn that Wolff’s mentally disabled son, who was taken by the Nazis, died two days earlier: He was starved to death. Despite the death, they proceed with their plan to rescue children. Josef explains to Mady that he has to go, and she is to get Lisette to stay with her.
Josef is successfully admitted to the hospital in Hadamar where the children are being held. Attendants take Josef’s coin, and he berates himself that he still carried it. Two days later, a disturbance allows Josef to find the children’s ward just before he is apprehended. Wolff comes to interrogate him, and Josef reports finding more than two dozen children too weak to talk or cry. By the time Wolff leaves, they have devised a plan for the next morning. As Josef is led through the hallway, he encounters his father-in-law, who is trying to determine Wolff’s plan. Olbricht claims the mercy killings help people reach eternity when they have no more place in this world. Josef realizes that Olbricht had been with Meyerhof and “helped” him to a better place. Because Olbricht’s wife, daughter, and grandchild are Jewish, eliminating Meyerhof makes life safer. Olbricht will not allow Josef to endanger his family. He renames Josef for the records and marks him for death.
Mady goes into labor, and Lisette helps her deliver a baby girl. During a reception for the baby, four SS agents come to confiscate Josef’s papers. After they depart, Olbricht lies to Mady, telling her he does not know Josef’s whereabouts. In mid-July, Wolff informs Mady that Josef is dead. He asks if the midwife noted anything questionable about the new baby. Mady admits a concern about her daughter’s hearing.
In late July, Wolff shows Mady paperwork he had stolen. The baby had come close to being taken from Mady. Wolff seems to think Josef might still be alive. Mady demands to know more about Josef’s disappearance, and Wolff gives her a fragment of information. Mady remembers her father’s connection to that name and realizes he has compromised Josef’s identity. She calls the number and uses the code word to get help.
In August, Wolff, Adolf, and Mady ask the members of the youth group to help rescue Josef. Wolff briefs them on the need and the risk. Lisette convinces Konrad to help. Konrad dresses as an SS officer. Inside the hospital, he and Adolf bluff their way past the attendant and through a meeting with the doctor to rescue Josef from the newly installed gas chamber. Josef refuses to leave without the children. They locate a truck to transport the children. Josef is grief-stricken when they discover that only six of the two dozen children survived. They carry the emaciated children to the truck. Olbricht follows them in his powerful car and blocks their escape route. Josef barters himself for the freedom of the boys as well as the others and the children. Mady and Wolff pull up, and Olbricht appears incredulous on seeing his daughter. When he still tries to take Josef, Mady confronts him and forces him to acknowledge that his choices kill people. She tells him his granddaughter will be one of the dying children since her hearing loss marks her as unsuitable. The thought that he might be involved in his granddaughter’s death staggers Olbricht. He trades his vehicle for their truck and sends them to freedom.
On Christmas Eve, Wolff visits the secluded hills north of Berlin. There, Josef and Mady, with Lisette’s help, run Ramah Cabin. Together, they shelter ten children unwanted by the Third Reich.
Christian Themes
In While Mortals Sleep, Jack Cavanaugh examines the moral choices Christians were forced to make when confronted by Adolf Hitler’s policies. Josef first intervenes on behalf of a church member, then rails against the Hitler Youth movement when it draws young men from Sunday services. In both instances, the Nazis punish him. Throughout the book, somewhat minor infractions progress into clearly moral choices about outright evil, and each character must overcome or give in to that individual’s fears.
Josef’s father-in-law, Olbricht, compromises to protect his family. He rationalizes away the value of Jewish and infirm lives and joins in the Nazis’ heinous activities. Josef’s wife, Mady, avoids calling attention to her family to preserve their safety. Her stance often creates conflict with Josef because he champions what is scripturally right.
When the Nazis purge unwanted races and infirm individuals, the Christians at the center of this story resist evil at great sacrifice, fighting for those who cannot protect themselves. Konrad endangers his leadership in the Hitler Youth to help his pastor. Wolff jeopardizes his SS position to prevent the horrors. Josef risks his life to save children from infanticide. Mady realizes evil that is ignored does not go away; she cannot remain silent. To rescue her husband and protect her daughter’s life, she must act. These fictional characters illustrate the plight of Christians in Nazi Germany who faced danger yet left behind a powerful legacy of doing right in the face of adversity.
Sources for Further Study
DeLong, Janice, and Rachel Schwedt. Contemporary Christian Authors: Lives and Works. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2000. Biographical sketch details Jack Cavanaugh’s credentials and writing accomplishments.
Duncan, Melanie C. Review of While Mortals Sleep. Library Journal 126, no. 18 (November 1, 2001): 74. Categorizes the novel in terms of books written in a similar vein.
Mort, John. Review of While Mortals Sleep. Booklist 98, no. 3 (October 1, 2001): 281. Evaluates the novel and recognizes Cavanaugh’s abilities.