Holocaust Art: "It Takes But One" by Elizabeth Denholm and Alyssa Dziurlaj

What visual techniques are employed in this painting?

There is contrast. On the top side the Germans who are without colour. They are mainly black and white. On the bottom there are the Jews who are surrounded by red symbolising their pain and their blood.

How do these visual techniques highlight major thematic elements of holocaust art and literature?

The German's are portrayed as colourless, cold and uncaring. The Jews are in rivers of their own blood. The red symbolises their pain. They are reaching out for help and originally no-one helps. All it would take is for one person to lend them a hand, to help them through their troubles and they would live a much better life. Just as it was in the holocaust.

Holocaust Poetry #3: 'Daniel' by Laura Crist

How is juxtaposition used in this poem to highlight an important theme of Holocaust literature?

The child is described as young, carefree and innocent which is then compared to him getting his hair cut off, his clothes taken and then him being brutally murdered in the gas chamber.

How is descriptive language used to enhance the reader's reaction to the poem?

It allows you to feel more connection towards the child. It allows you to visualise his face, his hair and how he laughs.

Daniel
	Laura Crist

And the child held her hand
A child tiny for almost eight,
Deep blue eyes that dominated his face,
When he explained new events to her,
     that funny doggy,
     that pretty rock,
And the freckles on his cheek,
No one saw a sunrise more perfect,
     to her,
She so vividly smells the fragrance of
     his hair,
     his ears,
     his breath in the morning
She vividly hears that little heartbeat,
     that was hers
     always hers,
     and the laughter,
     that raspy little laugh,
     when he caught her in a conundrum.
All this,
But this is merely the surface,
As she watches her little God sheared,
     and stripped,
For the gas chamber.

Chapter 15: Something He Shouldn't Have Done

(163) Why doesn't Bruno like Kotler? What does he observe and not understand about Kotler when his father is away?
Because he doesn't smile and he teases him. Bruno observes that when his father is away Kotler acts like the man of the house and he can't understand why Kotler does this.
(163) What is meant when Kotler uses the cliche 'Don't worry, this one knows which side his bread is buttered on.'?
It means that he knows what the right thing to do is.
(165) How would you describe the interaction between Kotler and Bruno?
An unkind interaction. Bruno tries to show dislike to Kotler while Kotler makes jokes above Bruno's intelligence and this makes him even more annoyed as he knows that he is being insulted but he doesn't know how.
(166) What surprise does Bruno get?
Shmuel is in the kitchen cleaning glasses for the party
(167) How is juxtaposition used when Bruno compares his hand to Shmuel's?
Bruno's hands are healthy, clean and strong while Shmuels are weak, dirty and thin
(168-9) Does Bruno understand the pressure that Shmuel is under?
No. He doesn't know as he tries to give Shmuel food, but Shmuel doesn't want to take it because he knows that he will get in trouble if he does.
(171-2) What dramatic situation unfolds and what is Bruno's reaction?
Shmuel eats the chicken, Kotler sees and gets angry about this. Bruno lies because he doesn't want to get in trouble.
(173-4) What does Bruno think of himself because of the way he reacts? How is the major theme 'fear' portrayed in this scene? What does it do to Bruno and Shmuel?
Bruno feels bad as he lied and got his friend in trouble. It portrays fear because as soon as he thinks he may get in trouble he denies his friendship.
(175) What does Bruno say that prompts Shmuel to offer his hand in friendship? How is this symbolic?
He says that he was sorry for what he did and he did it because he was scared, not because he didn't want to be Shmuel's friend. It's symbolic of the Germans as some of them think it's bad but they are too scared to do anything about it.

Chapter 14: Bruno Tells a Perfectly Reasonable Lie

(150-1) What information do we get that makes the reader start to feel that he is becoming less innocent and more ignorant?
Bruno complains about not being able to wear pyjamas. The people wearing them are killed and he doesn't even notice.
(151-3) What is interesting about the weather and how does it relate to the overall emotion of this stage in the book?
It rains and rain usually symbolises sadness and all these people are dying around them which is sad.
(153) What does Bruno accidentally say to Gretel?

"I should be with Shmuel by now. He'll think I've forgotten him."

(154-5) Is Bruno able to consider Gretel's feelings? How do you know?
Bruno is able to consider Gretel's feeling. He is able to see that she too is bored at the house and that she also had to leave things behind
(155) What is it that motivates Bruno not to tell Gretel the truth? How does this portray Bruno as being selfish?
He believes that Gretel might 'steal' Shmuel from him. This makes him selfish because he does it for himself
(158) What is it that Bruno realises when he starts recounting what Shmuel tells him? Why do you think that this is when he finally starts to realise what Shmuel is experiencing?
He realises that he wasn't considerate of all the hardships that Shmuel had to endure. It took him so long because his innocence prevented him form seeing the horror
(159) What is ironic and hypocritical about what Gretel tells Bruno regarding imaginary friends?

It is ironic because she has dolls as imaginary friends and she says imaginary friends are for small boys when she has imaginary friends in her dolls.

Chapter 13: The Bottle of Wine

(134) How does the initial paragraph frame Bruno's state of mind?
Bruno has a young state of mind as he continues to complain about not going home soon even though he has a friend which is starving next door.
(136) What does the question Bruno asks Maria show about his development?
Bruno asks whether or not Pavel is a doctor. This show's that he is at least trying to develop unlike other people who don't bother.
(137) What is important about Maria's reaction to Bruno's question?
Maria's reaction shows that the question is a serious one. She also tells him the information which is usually kept from him. She isn't treating him like a child.
(138) Why does Bruno want to tell Shmuel about Pavel? What does this highlight about Bruno's understanding of what is going on?
Bruno asks Shmuel about Pavel to see if he knows him as they are both wearing the 'pyjamas'. Shmuel tells him there are thousands on the other side of the fence and this knowledge makes Bruno loose innocence and gain ignorance about what is going on
(140) What do the boys argue about? Who does Bruno defend? Who is right/wrong? Why?
They argue about whether or not there are good soldiers. Bruno defends his Father. Bruno is right because there are good soldiers but Shmuel is also right as he hasn't seen this kindness.
(140) Shmuel says 'You don't know what it's like here.' and Bruno reacts by saying 'You don't have any sisters, do you?' He says this to avoid an answer to Shmuel. What does this show about Bruno's understanding of what is happening?
It furthers his ignorance because instead of trying to learn more he just sidesteps the question.
(141) What connection do the boys have regarding Lt. Kotler?
They both fear him, Shmuel with good reason as he is beaten and ordered about by him and Bruno without a good reason as he only annoys him.
(142) What has changed in the the way Bruno sees Pavel?
He has more sympathy for him as he is sick and getting weaker.
(143) What important words are used to describe the way the father eats and addresses Bruno? What makes them important? How do they relate to the scene and the father as a character?
The way the father talks and eats is in a murderous manner. He points a knife at his son and attacks the lamb
(145) We learn Lt. Kotler's first name - 'Kurt'. What is it about the sounds in his full name that are important? 'Kurt Kotler'
Alliteration, sharp sounds
(146-7) What do we learn about Kotler's father? What is Bruno's father's reaction/suggestion regarding Kotler's father leaving Germany for Switzerland?
He was a literature professor at a university. He left Germany for Switzerland and this made the Bruno's father angry
(148) What happens to break the tension at the dinner table? What does Kotler do and what are everyone's reactions? What does Bruno decide regarding disagreeing with anyone anymore after seeing what happens to Kotler? What does this relate to historically in regards to the Nazis?
Pavel spills wine on Kotler's lap. He gets angry and attacks Pavel. Everyone is in shock. Bruno decides to let it go. The Nazi's could get away with anything because everyone let it go as it was for the good of the country.

Evaluating your Partner's Performance

Today in class we are going to listen to a discussion for 5-10 min on each chapter (11 + 12).

During the conversation you are to take notes on:

- participation
- what questions/answers they ask
- do they know what they are talking about
- overall what is your impression of their understanding of what is happening in the chapter

Give your partner an HONEST score out of 10 (10 being the best).


Justin Khoong


Notes:

• The Fury and his wife are like Bruno and Gretel (juxtaposition)

2/10