Discussion Questions for One Survivor Remembers #Alessandra

1. What scenes or images were most powerful for you, and why? What lessons or messages did these scenes offer?
The scene/image that struck me the most, and made me feel the most emotion was the picture of the building where all of the girls were living. It seemed like a place you would imagine animals living, not humans. I think the message from this scene was that in order to make the Jews feel less human, they tried to make them live as animals.

2. How did the Nazis dehumanize Jews? How did Gerda Weissmann work to overcome dehumanization, and who helped her?
The Nazis did various things. Firstly, they took them away from their homes, loved ones, and all of their possessions. When arriving at the camps, they were forced to be separated from family members. They were forced to shave all the hair on their bodies. The most dehumanizing part of the process, in my opinion, is that no longer did the Jews have names, they were given numbers to be identified by instead. She was helped immensely by the intelligence of her father. He told her to promise him that she would never commit suicide because it was a cowardly thing to do. When she was contemplating jumping onto the train during her days at the camps, she remembered her promise. If her dad had never made her promise, she probably would've done it, and wouldn't be alive today. Also, her Father made her wear ski shoes because he knew that she would need them. While a lot of the girls during the death march, and time at the camps had very injured and disgusting feet, she had ski shoes so that she could handle any weather or terrain.

3. During her ordeal in the Nazi camps, Weissmann says she fantasized about enjoying a simple morning with her family or deciding what dress to war to an imagined party. What simple things in your own life do you think you'd fantasize about if everything were taken away? What ordinary things do you think you take for granted?
I think if I were placed in Nazi camps, and forced to think of things other than death, I would probably think about just a day with my mom and dad. My parents are always very spontaneous, and though sometimes I wish I could just have lazy days, I always end up appreciating the nice times with my family.
I think I take for granted my friends. Sometimes I'm annoyed or angry with my friends, but at the end of the day, their the ones I need the most. There are times I endure things that I don't have the capacity to talk about with my parents, but I've always had friends there for me. Gerda told the story of how she lost a lot of the girls, and her friends during the Death March. I could never relate to that, but if I ever went through that, I wouldn't know how to survive without the daily comfort of friendship.

4. This film focuses on the persecution of Jews in the Holocaust, but others also were murdered, including Soviet prisoners of war, Roma (Gypsies), gays and lesbians, and Communists. In what ways do you see persecution happening in today's world? What groups do you see being targeted? What can be done to work against such prejudice and intolerance?
Not only are there still Nazi, KKK, Hate Groups, along with many others, but a lot of political government arguments are surrounding the topic of gay and lesbian marriage. I think that people need to learn to accept the different types of love that people have for each other. If I ever wanted to marry a woman, I would most definitely want people in support of me. The intolerance that people have for gay marriage is unacceptable. People should be able to love who they want, and should be able to show that love through marriage.

5. In many ways, this film is about hope for the future. Who are the heroes of this film? What did they do that makes you hopeful? What can you do to help make the world a better place?
I think the heroes of this film are the man who came to liberate Gerda and the other girls, as well as Gerda's Father, and the woman who ran the camp Gerda was placed in. These people make me hopeful because they had the knowledge, bravery, and overall passion for helping themselves, and others. I do not believe that all Germans were bad, or are bad today. I believe that there were and are kind Germans who felt sympathetic towards the Jews and others who were being slaughtered and forced into slavery. It makes me hopeful to believe that even though there were horrific, and beastly German characters, some of them were willing to help provide for others. I think, though I am of a young age that I can still have a say in what is morally right, and wrong. I can make the world a better place by showing my love for people of all race, religion, and any belief different or the same as mine.

Sarah's Key Blog #3

In the book Sarah’s Key, main character, Sarah lives in France as a peaceable but hidden family. Her family is pleasant, full of love, but also living in ignorance to any of the French and German alliances created overtime. It wasn’t until soon before they were captured that they finally decided to go into hiding, and ultimately hide the Father due to recent capturing of just men. Before any of the fearsome things and complete invasion of Jewish people in France, the Starzinsky family was unaware that it was their own policeman hunting them down. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website says, “During the interwar period, France was on of the more liberal countries in welcome Jewish immigrants…” For the Starzinsky’s France had always accepted them and they were never lead to fear the people of their town.

After Sarah and her family were taken to the stadium, then leading that, the camps, they were taken by surprise and the author said, “The girl did not understand, these were French policeman, not Germans.” No one at first understood why the French were taking them, but soon everyone was aware of the bond between the two countries of France and Germany. Eventually when Sarah and her family had arrived at the camps they were separated from each other. Sarah was forced to be with the children, her mother with the other woman, and father as expected- with the men. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website says,  “Police razzias literally tore families apart, as parents, grandparents, and elder siblings were separated from younger children at collection points and at French or German assembly camps.” At first, the French were only taking one member of each family (primarily the men). The tradition of only taking the men had ended when the French made the decision to take whole families then separate them at the camps.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "France." Holocaust Encyclopedia. United States         Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005429>.

Sarah's Key Blog #2

The protagonists in contrast to one another in books, Sarah’s Key and Annexed are very different. What I’ve found so far is that in books about the Holocaust the characters often go into the story with a positive and brave attitude. Those same characteristics are not displayed in the main character of Annexed. In Annexed, author Sharon Dogar creates a main character that is ashamed of his heritage (Judaism) and who wishes he could just be plain old Peter instead of “the Jew.” Peter lives and grew up in Amsterdam. For most the entirety of the book he displays his somberness because of the capturing of his girlfriend. It’s the fact that his girlfriend was taken that makes him sad and shameful. When he’s captured he still does not believe he will survive, though he hopes he will.

           

            In contrast to Sarah, in Sarah’s Key Peter is short of all her bravery. Sarah gets increasingly worried about the safety of her brother, Machel. It is her bravery and will to survive that keep her alive during the many days in the stadium. Unlike Peter, Sarah is from France. The French army was working with the Germans in order to treat Jews in France equally as bad as in other parts of Europe. Just like how the Germans ordered, the French Jews were transported to various labor, death, and concentration camps in Europe. 

Sarah's Key Blog #1

In the book Sarah’s Key written by Tatiana de Rosnay, the author creates a somber story revolving around the lives of Sarah Starzinsky and Julia (last name unknown). Character, Sarah is forced away from her home along with her mother and father. When the French policemen take her and her family she is forced to keep her brother safe and lock him in a small cupboard. Sarah reassures herself throughout the entire beginning of the book that her brother will be okay with enough air, water, and a flashlight. She is determined to escape from the French who’ve captured her, and soon enough be back to retrieve her brother.

                Another element of the story is second protagonist, Julia. Julia moved from America to France with her husband and daughter. Her husband’s family grew up in the apartment that Julia is going to be living in. Julia is not yet sure if she will enjoy the alternate lifestyle in store for her, but with the reassurance of her husband she finds that maybe it will not be so difficult after all. So far, the story has also told the reader about Julia’s daughter. Her daughter, Zoe is an intriguing and mature young girl who is so far not anxious to living in the part of France where the apartment is located. Julia’s husband, Betrand grew up in France and when he and Julia met and eventually got married they had lived in a different part of the area. The change from place to place has been difficult for everyone- not including Betrand. We are not yet sure of what the connection between Julia and Sarah is yet, but because of the long history in Julia’s newly found home there is bound to be some sort of link.

Annexed Blog #2

In my book, Annexed peter finds himself longing to have his girlfriend, Liese back and safe. She was captured and most likely brought to a Nazi death or concentration camp. I think Peter will keep thinking about Liese and how he wishes he could help, but I don’t think he will ever have the courage to go and save her. Which leads me to wonder, does Peter’s lack of bravery to go and save Liese make him a coward, or does it make him intelligent?

            Peter and Anne Frank’s relationship so far has been a rocky rollercoaster. Peter refuses to believe that even though she is a child, and at times makes him happier, that she could ever be the wonderful person he believes Liese to be. Though they play together, and often times find themselves laughing and smiling, Peter thinks Anne is annoying and childish. I think Peter will find himself in the situation of getting to know her, and also drawn to her optimistic behavior. The reader is forced to guess when and how Peter will fall in love with Anne. I’m wondering the same thing, but from a different perspective. I wonder when Anne fall in love with Peter? She is obviously intelligent, jubilant, and filled with anxiousness. Though she shows great interest in Peter, I’m not yet sure that she is ready to fully trust him, or anyone.

Annexed Blog #1

In the book, Annexed by author, Sharon Dogar, the main character, Peter finds himself lost in his contradictory thoughts about people. The story is introduced with an opening scene of Liese, (Peter’s girlfriend) being captured by the Nazi soldiers. Peter was frantic, trying to find some way to fight against the Nazi’s and to save Liese. Peter of course knew that any action taken against the Nazi’s would potentially result in his death, or lifetime torture. Annexed takes place in Amsterdam where Peter finds himself in an office of Jews also hiding from being captured and sent to concentration, death, or labor camps. The office where Peter and others are hiding is also the home of Anne Frank. Anne Frank is a young, foolish, optimistic girl who chooses to see the glass half full as opposed to half empty. Peter doesn’t exactly know his thoughts about Anne, but in the book proves to the reader that his emotions are mixed with desire, and hatred. He says, “She makes me smile sometimes, even though she’s so irritating…” As Anne takes control of the fun and roughness in the “office,” Peter learns to have fun with her.

Flower Garden

The Flower Garden is a short story about how a person can have a certain place in society, and then after a short amount of time, they have a completely different position.

The story to me is mainly dealing with the idea of conflict because of opinion and bias. Mrs.MacLane is given the situation of person-against-society. In the beginning of the story, Mrs.MacLane was well known, and had a reputation as a good lady. She had created friendly neighbors, and even a best friend, Mrs.Winning. Mrs.Winning and Mrs.MacLane shared the passion and love for gardening. They both appreciated the gifts that flowers brought to a home, as well as the feeling of warmth they created. When Mrs.MacLane began growing her garden, she found that she was in need of a helper to assist her with the gardening. Tension began to rise in the story when Mrs.MacLane was nice enough to give a colored man the job as her assist. The community created a sort of “stereotype” against this man and his family. It was utterly frowned upon that Mrs.MacLane would let this man and his child into her house, let alone without a shirt on. It became perfectly clear to Mrs.MacLane that she was suddenly blocked out from the rest of society. . “That’s wrong, Mrs.Winning was thinking, you musnt’t ever talk about whether people like you, that’s bad taste.” Neighbors weren’t so friendly anymore, and even Mrs.Winning became un-excited about the colored man being around so often.

            In conclusion, the story shows that often time’s people get caught up in choosing right from wrong. Mrs.MacLane thought it very right of her to invite a man of color into her house. Mrs.Winning disagreed because she was too ignorant to realize that she never had even spoken to this man, so how could she know anything about him and his family (besides possibly false information from the rumors)? 

Query

“Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be.” This quote by Jim Horning speaks solemnly to the fact, that life, as we know it, is the most complex reality imaginable. When people set their minds to creating a simpler and happier lifestyle, they soon realize that failure is just around the corner.

Ordinarily, the consensus for living a simple lifestyle is having less materialistic items; but truly simplicity is being happy by surrounding oneself with people we care about. Materialistic items such as television sets, radio, cell phones, iPods, iPads, and other technologies of the 21^st century weigh down on our lives and separate our ideas of what really matters. It took years and years of minds and combining ideas in order to create the technology we have today, but do we really need it all? Think back to the 1920’s when the internet, iPods, and computers weren’t in existence. There were people just as happy and willing to live another day on the planet even without a mass amount of technology.

I would like to share with all of you a video that will show you how technology has changed the world over the years.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuKu6PZXCIY

This week’s query is:

Is it realistic to believe that simplicity is achievable?

Simplicity Packet

I believe that life will never be simple. It will always be filled with distraction, devastation, and technology. As quoted from Jim Horning, “Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be.” Part of the definition of simplicity is freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort. That quote is the reason I believe simplicity isn’t very-well possible. Difficulty is unavoidable; everything a person does with have a “what if” that makes them contradict their main belief.  Hardship is all around the world. It lives everywhere you walk; and though it is hard to believe, hardship lives in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

            When people strive to create a simpler world they soon realize that the task they seek to accomplish is impossible. There is technology, poverty, abuse, and many more things that make living a simple life an unrealistic dream. At Newtown Friends School, we pursue trying to make students appreciate the life they were given. We try to create queries that inspire us to make changes to our daily life. With all of the appreciation to our elders, and our peers, it’s hard to forget that at the end of the day life as we know is… complicated.

            Jim Horning was right when he said that nothing is as simple as we hope it will be. But in my perspective, simple isn’t always great. If everything was simple and neutral life wouldn’t be as crazy and havoc filled as god intended. The people in the world who let life happen as it’s meant to happen are the go-getters that made history. No one was ever famous because they lived a “simple” life.