What is the shawl by cynthia ozick summary?

The short story "The Shawl" by Cynthia Ozick is about a Jewish woman named Rosa who is struggling to survive in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. She has a baby girl named Magda who is also with her in the camp. Despite the traumatic and brutal conditions of the camp, Rosa is fiercely protective of her child and tightly holds onto her shawl, which she uses to keep Magda warm and shield her from the horrors around them.

One day, while Rosa and Magda are huddled under the shawl together, a guard discovers them and demands that Magda be handed over to him. In a moment of desperation, Rosa throws the shawl over Magda and throws her towards the guard, hoping that the shawl will protect her. Unfortunately, Magda is killed and Rosa is left alone to mourn her loss.

The story weaves together themes of survival, motherhood, and the devastating impact of the Holocaust on individuals and families. Cynthia Ozick's writing is powerful and haunting, painting a vivid picture of the atrocities of the camp and the emotional turmoil of the characters.