In the winter months after Poland’s surrenderto Germany in 1939,“Warsaw suddenly and completely unexpectedly returned to its old way of life” (48). Residents improve their circumstances by secretly trading in money, diamonds, flour, leather, or forged documents. They do so in violation of many German decrees aimed at controlling the city. As time goes on, the Germans target some decrees directly at Jews, such as the one stating that Jews may keep no more than 2000 złoty at home. Many decide to hide their valuables, as do the Szpilmans. Another decree states that Jews must bow to German soldiers in the street. While Władysław and his brother Henryk do everything in their power to avoid soldiers, Father Szpilman goes out of his way to bow and smile with “ironic grace” (49).

“Race raids” also begin; men in cars pull Jews over on the street and beat them (43). While the direct decrees do not carry much weight, “the real danger was what could happen to you totally unexpectedly, out of the blue sky” (45). By December, a “wall of hatred” rises between the Germans and Poles when the Germans execute 100 innocent citizens (44). Though many residents (some successful, others not) try to leave Warsaw, the Szpilmans remain.