In Witness, Hesse relates the story of three young characters to establish the theme that children are fragile in comparison with the forces directing their lives. Children have the least amount of societal power and are reliant on adults to provide food, shelter, and protection. When powerful figures prey upon the populace, children suffer most because they don’t have the means to protect themselves. Leonora, Merlin, and Esther are each preyed upon and suffer due to the Klan’s hatred. Leonora is tormented by her schoolmates and hampered in everyday activities due to the color of her skin, Merlin is indoctrinated as the Klan attempts to twist him into their mold, and Esther is buffeted by the effects of the Klan’s antisemitism and is nearly killed.

Mercilessly baited at school, Leonora cannot find relief from the systemic racism even when Sara saves her from the cold. Sara gives her the chipped mug for her broth, and Sara even disapproves of Esther wrapping Leonora in the “good” quilt. Leonora cannot accept the gift of a typewriter or painting from Mr. Field; she knows the townspeople will make the racist assumption that she stole it. Most tragically, her mother dies because nobody would stop to help a neighbor who was not white.