Anton Steenwijk:
* Complex and Troubled: Anton is the protagonist and the novel's central figure. He is marked by the traumatic events of his childhood, particularly the assassination of his father and the subsequent chaos that engulfed his family.
* Haunted by the Past: The assault that killed his father leaves Anton deeply affected. He is haunted by guilt, confusion, and anger. This trauma shapes his personality and actions throughout the novel.
* Struggling for Identity: Anton constantly seeks to understand the events of the past and reconcile them with his present life. He struggles with his own sense of identity, feeling both a responsibility to his father's memory and a desire to escape its shadow.
* Moral Ambiguity: Anton's actions are often driven by self-preservation and a desire to protect himself from further pain. He sometimes makes choices that could be considered morally questionable, highlighting the complexities of dealing with trauma and the blurring of lines between right and wrong in a world torn by war.
The Father (Unidentified):
* The Missing Presence: Anton's father is a largely absent figure, known only through fragmented memories and accounts. The novel centers around his assassination and the impact it has on his son.
* Symbol of Innocence: The father represents the innocence and hope destroyed by the war. His death becomes a symbol of the senseless violence and tragedy that defines the era.
* Unfulfilled Potential: The father's absence evokes a sense of loss and unfulfilled potential, both for Anton and for the wider community. His story raises questions about the consequences of violence and the enduring impact of trauma.
The Mother (Stien):
* Resilient and Protective: Anton's mother is a strong figure, fiercely protective of her children and determined to shield them from the harsh realities of their situation.
* Struggling with Grief: Stien's grief over her husband's death is palpable, but she strives to remain strong for her children. This creates a complex dynamic between her need for support and her desire to be a pillar of strength for her family.
* Symbol of Hope: While deeply affected by the tragedy, Stien represents the enduring hope and resilience of the human spirit. Despite the hardships, she seeks to build a new life for herself and her children.
The Assailants:
* Anonymous and Indefinite: The novel does not reveal the identity of the assassins, adding to the mystery and confusion surrounding the event. This deliberate obscurity emphasizes the senseless nature of violence and the impossibility of understanding its motivations.
* Representing the Darkness: The assassins symbolize the darkness and cruelty of the war and the larger societal forces that can lead to such tragedies. Their anonymity highlights the dehumanization that can occur during conflict.
Other Notable Characters:
* The Narrator: The narrator is a distant and detached figure, observing events with a clinical eye. This distance creates a sense of objectivity and allows the reader to experience the story through a detached perspective.
* The "Other Father" (Willem): Willem, Anton's stepfather, is a complex figure who provides a sense of stability and paternal guidance. His presence in Anton's life offers a contrasting perspective on the father figure, showcasing the different ways in which a father can be present.
Themes and Motifs:
* Trauma and its Impact: The novel explores the long-lasting effects of trauma, particularly on Anton's life and identity.
* Memory and Forgetting: Memory plays a key role in the narrative, as characters grapple with the past and its impact on their present lives. The novel examines the ways in which memories can be distorted, forgotten, and manipulated.
* Loss and Grief: The loss of Anton's father is central to the novel, driving the narrative and shaping the characters' experiences.
* Truth and Deception: The novel explores the complexities of truth and the ways in which it can be obscured by violence and manipulation.
* The Shadow of War: The novel is set against the backdrop of World War II, and the conflict's influence on the characters and their choices is a constant presence.
Overall, The Assault offers a profound exploration of human nature and the lasting impact of trauma. The characters are deeply flawed, complex, and driven by their own personal experiences. Their stories are a testament to the enduring power of memory, the search for truth, and the resilience of the human spirit.