Holocaust Poetry Response

We heard, we saw
we have cried.
We have felt the aching of the anguishing
destruction of the children.
We too are nothing but Children.
We have a future though, unlike those who have suffered. We can be lawyers, teachers and parents, and for that we must try. We have the sky as the limit for us, the sadness propels. Wasting the time that has been stolen from you has ended. From the ashes of those who have cried, starved and died, we hear your plea. The time for us has come and its time to fulfill our dreams so you do not die in vain. We will never let this happen again. Your dreams drive us to success and we recognize you as heroes who have perished and for that we commend you. We will remember you not as just the 'children' but as idols for our dreams to be achieved.

Chapter 3 Questions - TBITSP

•    Describe how Bruno and Gretel's relationship is introduced in the chapter.

The relationship in this chapter is introduced as very bad and that they hate each other. This is because Gretel is older and she also has some friends that Bruno describes as a 'monster'.

•    List quotes that show how the new house is described.

There is more detail in this chapter about the new house that they are staying in. It is seen as a badly built and unsteady house 'jumping around this house too often or it might collapse' which shows Bruno's point of view or the house and how it sees poorly built to him.

•    It was very hollow and he decided that he better not go jumping around this house too often or it might collapse around their ears. What is the significance of this quote?

This is a significant quote because it is an insight into Bruno and his view of the house. It shows that he is so paranoid about this house that jumping around my do enough to take it down. It also shows his innocence because he thinks the house can come falling down and cover him up to his 'ears' which is a rather child like analogy. 

•    What is Bruno's reaction to the new house?

Bruno's reaction to his new house is negative and that of a spoilt child. He thinks it is too small, boring and generally bad. He thinks it is small because it is smaller in comparison to his old house. The boring perspective comes from uniformity of his house; no places with in the house to explore. Over all his view of the house is bad because it does not compare to his old house

•    How does it compare to their old house?

The new house does not live up to his expectations in comparison to his old house. His new house is smaller in several aspects including the amount of stories, the room sizes and the fact that there is no places to explore. It is also a lot more boring to live in because it is in an isolated location and there is no one to play with and no city centre to watch the people laughing and smell the fresh vegetables.

•    How does Gretel relate to her father?

Gretel really admires her father and sees him in a very vague way. She thinks he can do no wrong and that he is always right which is the same as her because she always think she is right and never wrong which annoys Bruno.

•    Does Bruno understand where they are? What makes you believe this?

I believe that Bruno doesn't understand where they are because he doesn't understand the name which Gretel tells him that the house is called 'Out-With' and that he is perplexed by position where the house is located; not begin around other people.

•    Does Gretel understand where they are? Explain.

Gretel's only knowledge of where they are is that they are at 'Out-With'. This, like Bruno, confuses her and she is not sure about here location.

•    How is Bruno's description of 'Out-with' represent a motif? What is darkly ironic about this?

The use of 'Out-with' represents the motif of Bruno's and enhances the innocence of a child during the holocaust because 'Out-with' is actually the concentration camp 'Auschwitz'. This is very dark irony because he does not understand the mass killing that is going on and that his father is causing it.

•    Read pgs 27-29. How are Bruno's and Gretel's reaction to 'the children' Bruno sees through the window different? What does this tell us about these two characters and their perception/understanding of where they are?

Bruno's reaction to the children is that of sympathy for them because he says that they are looking sound. Gretel's view however is different, when Bruno mentions them she is sacred but also shocked to find out that there is other children and wants to investigate into the situation She also is sacred to find out when she gets to the window. This tells us that they both are unsure of where they are but because of different reasons.

Holocaust Poetry

1. What is your initial reaction to this poem?

My reaction is that the mass killing of the Jews has affected people in a different as seen in this poem through the taking away of peoples dreams.

1. How does the author use 'we' in this poem?

The author uses a group that she was in to add extra emphasis to the fact that it was a group not just individuals.

1. What are the verbs used in the first sentence?

played, laughed and loved

1. What are the verbs used in the second sentence? How do they contrast with those used in the first sentence?

ripped and thrown. This is a contrast to the first sentence is that they are happy or verbs that are associated with being happy and the second sentence verbs are very forceful and are 'sad' words

1. What effect does the listing of 'lawyers, rabbis, wives, teachers, mothers'? What is it meant to signify?

This is meant to signify both important and happy jobs of the children and there dreams that have been taken by the holocaust.

1. What simile is used in the poem and what effect does it have?

dead in the night like cows in cars which adds to the poem the fact that they were treated like animals and that they were taken away like animals on a farm.

1. How has the poet represented herself in the last sentence?

She has represented herself as a child that has had its dreams taken away and that she wants this never to happen to anyone again.

1. If you could communicate to this person, a victim of the Holocaust, what would you want to say? What do you feel that you must do in your life as a response to this poem?

I would want to say that it is terrible the way that they ripped the dreams away from happy children with hopes and dreams. It is awful that they destroyed your dreams and i think everyone should try harder to fill in and make those whose dreams were taken away to feel better that yours arent to. I would tell he that this poem would make me want to try harder in everything i do and try to fulfill by dreams and hopes.

Chapter 2 Questions - Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

• Using quotes, how is the new house described?

The new house is described as 'the exact opposite of their old house'. The new house is in an isolated location and is only 3 stories (1 for the servants) as opposed to his old house with 5 floors for his family.

• How does it compare to the house in Berlin? How is this an example of juxtaposition?

The house is a lot smaller and in Bruno's eyes is worse because he has no view, nobody to play with and also has no houses around it. This is an example of juxtaposition because they are completely opposite but show what rich families lived in during the war and the type of housing in Berlin during war time. One house is needed to give extra information about the other.

• How is Bruno's reaction and discussion of the new house taken by the other characters? What is ironic about the way people treat Bruno's comments regarding the new house?

Bruno's reaction is taken negatively by the other characters which is ironic because they also hate the house but tell him to 'make the best of a bad situation'. Everyone is telling him to be happy about the house but he is sad.

• Do you feel empathetic towards Bruno's new home? Why/why not?

I do feel empathy for Bruno and his new house because he is a small boy and he does not understand the situation at hand and the fact that he got so much joy out of the old house makes his case sadder and make him see more like a victim and innocent.

Bruno's Voice, introduction of characters, and victims

Describe Bruno's voice. Give examples to support. 
 Bruno's voice is very small within his family although is allowed to have a small opinion on matters which in most cases wasn't taken into account as seen where he is to give up his 3 best friends to move with his family Bruno: 'Say goodbye to Karl and Daniel and Martin? .... But they're my three best friends for life' Mother: 'Oh you'll make other friends' . He has been told to be very polite when speaking. He talks like his two parents, either polite like his mother or demanding like his father.
What characters are introduced? Describe each and give examples to support.
The characters that have been introduced are:

• Bruno: a small boy who is brought up to brought up to be polite and kind and has a scene of innocence about him.
• Maria: the families maid who is very quite and takes care of all the house cleaning within the house. She feels she is beneath the family and in a lower class.
• Mother: Bruno's mother who brought Bruno up to be polite and is strict about being polite. She is tall and has red hair which leads to compassion.
• Father: Not much is known about him other that he is important and 'the Fury' has great things planned for him. He is very demanding and is seen in a derogatory way. He is the main driving force within the story. He is not family-orientated.

Who are presented as victims in this chapter and what are the victims of? Do you think that it is fair to consider them victims?
 
The present victim within the chapter is Bruno because he is being forced to move away from his friends because his father needs to move to a new job. He is really sad over this because he has to move away from his 3 life friends - Karl, Daniel and Martin. His mother is also a victim because she has to power over the decisions that are made - lacking free will.



Irony is an important element of the story. How is it used here in the first chapter? Give examples to support your answer.

Irony is used within the first chapter by Bruno beginning annoyed that his family has to move because of his fathers job even though that Bruno has no idea what his dad's job is. Bruno is innocence and ignorant and the reader knows more about the situation than him making dramatic irony. The two people who are take part in causing mass slaughter feel bad about their situation. We also know about Hitlers presence and Bruno's mix up with 'the Fury' and 'Der Fueherer'.


How is the setting presented in this chapter?


The setting is portrayed as a happy, large house in Berlin which is home to a rich family who has a maid. You can look out a window and see the whole of Berlin. However, the family is getting ready to pack and move from this house. In such a grand house, there is so many areas where he isn't allowed as well as the simplest thing (the banister) is so important even more important than all of his luxuries.

Auschwitz

1. Colour - The use of mainly on shade (ie. black, grey, white) shows the absence of happiness and life within the walls as well as the uniformity of those within the camp. The only bit of colour is a boring brown which adds to the felling of sadness for it is a dull colour.
2. The shapes - All the square shapes and straight lines show that the seriousness and the effort that went into the camps as well as the fact that it is still there 65 years later. The uniformity of all the squares shows how strict the camp was and how it was to follow on set pattern.
3. Vanishing Point - The straight barb wire fence that seems to go on forever show how big the murder was within this camp as well as the fact that the fence is containing the people like farm animals.
4. Sun - The sun is shining on the outside area of the camp which show how sad being inside was, having no sun which is symbolic for happiness
5. Guard Tower - The focal point of the picture which adds the the theme of 'farm animals' and that they needed to be watched. This also by being portrayed as far away and being the same height as the building on the inside it shows the superiority of the tower and whoever possess the tower.

This picture also the sadness of the whole Holocaust experience through its visual techniques

1. Perspective - The way that the fence support is larger than the building shows how the outside is more superior to the inside and that the uniform is beneath the fence which traps it.
2. Shapes - The straight lines and very ridged shapes shows the control of the camp and the seriousness of the camp. 
3. Colour - The dark colours as well as the boring shades of green and blue are showing the sadness and the fact that there was not even a bit of self expression and that they were forced into uniformity and anguish.
4. Light - There is a dark grey sky hovering over the trapped building and a light shining over the fence on the freedom and outside area of Auschwitz

Donald Duck Questions

1. How are the Germans (and Japanese) portrayed in the opening sequence? How is irony created?

 The German soldiers (and Japanese) are portrayed in a humorous way in the way they are all different builds (i.e. short, tall, big small) and that they are all happy and out of order as opposed to the real Germans Nazis who were strict. Irony is created by the way they are singing about being the best race and they look far from it.

1. How is propaganda and the effect of propaganda portrayed with the introduction of Donald Duck?

The fact that Germans have taken over everything within everyones life regardless of there point of view as well as forcing the nazi over everything

1. How is irony continued into the breakfast scene? 

Its ironic how the bread is like wood, and has the aroma of bacon and eggs because it fits within all the Jewish people within the concentration camps and the Germans who aren't soldiers as opposed to the Guards who are mostly big and tall (well feed)

1. How is Naxi Germany portrayed in the opening shot at 3:30? 

It is portrayed in a negative way in the way that the HQ is all dark, polluting and sinister. This is shown through the lighting being dark and colour scheme of black, red and other dark colours.

1. What is ironic about the song lyrics regarding work and what is happening in the scene?

The Germans are boosting that they are above everyone and superior as well as saying hail Germans. They are also saying they are like 'supermen'. They is also music going on how they never will be slaves and Donald is being forced to work.

1. What does the conveyor belt portray regarding the lifestyle of Germans? 

All about military and all about Hitler. They are always working and that work will never end. 

1. Why do you think that there aren't actually any people that force Donald to work? 

Because the bayonets provide the forcefulness side as well as a speaker. They are above him. By not having anyone else it puts more emphasis on Donald as well as that not just a few are following Hitler but a whole culture.

1. What is ironic about the vacation? 

The vacation is based around the work of the Germans (no time for a vacation)

1. In the dream sequence, how are the Germans portrayed? Why? 

They are portrayed as bullets and that they are based around killing and murder. 

1. What do the pajamas when we see Donald in his bed tell us? 

That he is portrayed and categorised like a American citizen

1. What is the Statue of Liberty used to convey? 

The inclusion of America within the story and the Holocaust as well as the link and faithfulness of Donald Duck to America.

1. How is Hilter portrayed at the end of the film? What is it about his face that is important?

He portrayed as important figure and angry, serious person as seen through the way his face is straight.

1. Why is this a representation of propaganda? Why is it actually ironic considering the way the Nazi's are portrayed?

It is ironic because the Nazis are seen as serious and stern and this makes mockery of Hitler and by making his facial features small it makes light of his position.

1. Who are the villains, victims, and heroes?

Villains: The German. Victims: Donald Duck Hero:the Americans

1. How are they portrayed?

The Germans are made fun of, the victim as a comedic character and the Hero as mighty and superior.