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Alex Steiner, Rudy’s father, is a tailor on Himmel Street. Described as intense and unmoving, he is a man of high standards and strict belief. At first glance, he bears some similarities to Hans Hubermann, Jr., as Alex is highly disciplined, regimented, and oftentimes aggressive. However, with Alex, there is more tension beneath the surface than meets the eye. He has been swayed in some ways by Hitler’s propaganda—believing, for instance, that Jewish shop owners were coming to steal his business. He is relieved they have been put out of business, but he questions whether they deserved to be completely forced out. The important distinction between Alex and other German patriots is this: Alex does not hate anyone, even the Jews. Where the allegiance of Hans Junior is entirely to Hitler, Alex’s devotion is to his family. He has resolved to do whatever is needed to protect and provide for them. His involvement in the Nazi Party is a means to that end. His exterior is tough and he’s hard on Rudy, but this is a man who would—and does—go to great lengths to protect his son.
When Alex is unable to release Rudy to special training at the Nazi camp, he demonstrates the extent of his willingness to sacrifice for his family. In Rudy’s place, Alex is drafted into military service and sent away. Though Alex made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard his son, he still couldn’t protect Rudy from danger. Alex, upon returning to the bombed Himmel Street, struggles with the knowledge that Rudy might still be alive if he had gone to the Nazi camp. In doing his best to keep Rudy safe, yet still losing him, Alex proves how impossible it is to control fate.
