How effectively does Roberto Innocenti convey the experiences of war?

Roberto Innocenti effectively conveys the experiences of war for both the soldiers and the people at the homefront through the deteriorating human condition represented through colour and symbolism in Rose Blanche. In his book, there exists a misguided perception on war which is represented by the public. Rose represents the power of compassion in times of war and its ability to transcend barriers of hate and fear. The fat mayor reflects the idea of corruption during a period of great disruption, such as war.

The deterioration of people as a result of the war is evident in the juxtaposition of the soldiers riding the lorries. At the start of the book, the soldiers are upright and the lorries are clean and bright, contrasting with the picture near the end where the soldiers are returning, slumped, injured and riding rusted and dull lorries. The misguided attitude to war is also emphasised through the deterioration of people since the happy, cheering people are replaced by glum, leaving people at the end of the book.

The name ‘Rose’ is symbolic of compassion, evidenced through her desperate actions to support the children of the concentration camps. Coupled with her innocence, Roberto Innocenti uses this to emphasise the ability of compassion to overcome hate and fear. Rose Blanche’s aid in the concentration camps at her own expense represent this.

The idea of corruption during desperate times is quite effectively represented in Rose Blanche through the actions of the fat mayor. His self-confidence and self-importance, an example being his pleasure with himself upon stopping a boy, represents that men in positions of power can easily take advantage of situations like war. During the book, the scarcity of food for people is represented by the line ‘No one had enough to eat except the mayor who was as fat as ever’, represents the his corruption.