the chorus describes an atmosphere of icy stillness. they talk of “the scape-goat, the child of our time” (a “scape-goat” is someone who gets the blame for something they have not done). there is a chorus of the persecutors and the persecuted. the choir are split into two like the crowd scenes in bach’s passions. in the “chorus of the self-righteous” we hear about the attitude of countries who refuse to accept more than just a few of the persecuted jews (this includes britain). the boy tries to save his mother. we are told of the murder of the nazi diplomat. there is a chorus of terror. we see the boy in prison and the grieving of the mother.