Concentration camp Quote by Lynne Olson
““Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema noted that "through the entire war, one dream never left us, not for single day : our homecoming to Holland as we remembered it. We did come home, but the memory was crushed by reality and the dream exploded. Our country lay before us unrecognizable, emaciated like a wretch from a concentration camp. We couldn't cope…””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Diary of a Young Girl? Anne Frank, 1947
The quote reflects the shattered hopes of returning home after war, confronting a reality that no longer matches the dream.
In simple terms: War destroys idealized visions of home.
Key Takeaway
Accept that reality may differ from expectations.
Themes
war
disillusionment
homecoming
memory
reconstruction
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
memoir
When to use this quote
- post‑war reconstruction
- veteran reintegration
- family reunions
- national healing
Key Concepts
psychology
trauma
expectation vs reality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile cherished memories with harsh post‑war realities?
- What steps can societies take to rebuild after such devastation?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize personal experience to all war survivors.
![“In Europe, Murrow observed to his wife, people were dying and "a thousand years of civilization [were] being smashed" while America remained on the sidelines. How could one possibly be objective or neutral about that?” quote by Lynne Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4da/lynne-olson-34648_edward-r-murrow_in-europe-murrow-observed-to-his-wife-pe_639932.jpg)
