Antonina Zabinski was an empathetic, caring person. She had a way with animals and could understand their needs and the way they worked. These traits are most significant in her character because when the Jews "moved in", she took those traits and used them to care for the refugees. I believe these are the most significant traits of Antonina because they are the most dominant, and they are what makes her so capable of handling the situation the Zabinskis were put in. Antonina says, why is it that "animals can sometimes subdue their predatory ways in only a few months, while humans, despite centuries of refinement, can quickly grow more savage than any beast?" is it that "animals can sometimes subdue their predatory ways in only a few months, while humans, despite centuries of refinement, can quickly grow more savage than any beast?" Her kind and empathetic character allowed her to take on the duties that were given to her during World War II. Any relationship she had was enhanced by her empathy and compassion. The fact that she cares so much for others put her into trouble because she couldn't let down the Jews by not letting them stay at her zoo. She wanted to help them, and so she put herself and her family in danger from the Nazis. Ultimately, Antonina understood others and what they needed or wanted from her. She knew what to say and what to do always. She wasn't just a housewife like her husband, Jan, had once called her; rather, she was a strong, independent woman who took care of people in need.