Final answer:
Gerda is overwhelmed with grief at seeing the graves, which causes her to turn away abruptly, perhaps to seek composure or to shield herself from the pain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gerda's emotions upon seeing the graves of Liesel, Suse, and Ilse would likely be a mix of immense grief, loss, and possibly disbelief. It is a stark confrontation with the reality of mortality and the personal connection to those who have passed can provoke deep sorrow and pain.
Gerda might turn away abruptly from the graves as a physical manifestation of an emotional response to the overwhelming sadness or as a way to protect herself from the full impact of her feelings. In literature, such reactions are often used to depict the unbearable nature of grief and the instinct to retreat from it.
In moments of intense emotion, characters like Gerda may turn away to gain composure or to hide their vulnerability. This action can also signify the need for a private moment to process the painful truth or to quickly remove oneself from a situation that is too difficult to face head-on. These portrayals help readers understand the complexities of human reactions to loss.