What did you think about the resolution to Jenny’s storyline (“[N]o good can come of recriminations at this point” p. 340). Do you think all parties acted with good intentions?

What did you think about the resolution to Jenny’s storyline (“[N]o good can come of recriminations at this point” p. 340). Do you think all parties acted with good intentions?

Probably. I think it's very hard to go back in history and try to make reparations for things a current generation had no part in. I do think the English should have immediately put a value on what they owed these villagers, even if, because of war money shortages, they were not able to fully pay up at that time. That way, it is a bill owed and it seems more reasonable for future governments to repay as a debt.

Jenny was right, at that point recriminations would not have resolved anything. BUT "Aunt Emily" acted selfishly by taking Jenny as a child and should have worked to reunite her with her actual family.

I agree that bringing up how Aunt Emily handled the situation would not have benefitted anyone. I did like the idea that she acted on good faith and just wanted to help a scared, homeless child and really did believe the parents were probably dead.
I was glad she gave Jenny such a positive, loving upbringing and that Jenny felt fine to leave the situation alone.

I think I agree with not putting someone in jail when she was already in a nursing home. I do not agree that all parties acted with good intentions. It is not up to a stranger to decide that she can better provide for someone else's child just because her house/neighborhood is nicer and she has more money.

Clearly, they did. No decisions were made with malice, but only the concern for the children during wartime.

Wartimes bring strange situations. Jenny was loved and had a good life. Aunt Emily truly believed she gave a good and loving home to Jenny. Perhaps she might have found the parents if she looked hard enough, but wars are busy and confusing times. Aunt Emily wouldn’t have the resources that Liz had. Jenny did get to see her ‘real’ family, and no justice would be served by punishing Aunt Emily. For all we know, she may have suffered as well. We’ll never know what went on in her heart about Jenny’s parents.

I would find it difficult to forgive either parent.

When you think about the story and the families and children, a lot is about secrets. Keeping secrets is tough and one never knows when a secret may be revealed. Telling lies and keeping them straight is difficult, too. Liz's parents lied. Were they happy? Jenny's "Aunt Emily" lied and kept secrets. Was Aunt Emily happy? Out of all of the lies and secrets, Jenny had the clearest heart in not wanting to punish.

I agree that no good would have been served by punishing an elderly nursing home resident at this time in her life. It is difficult to unravel the threads of motivations of others or even ourselves. We may do the right thing for the wrong reason or do the wrong thing in the mistaken belief that it is correct. Often our motives are complex, partially noble and partially selfish.

That was the most believable and emotionally resonant aspect of the story. Jenny's "aunt" did a great job raising her because she was intelligent, reasoned, and compassionate, not to mention forgiving. She decided to take an honorable approach that would have the best outcome for all concerned.