No. 5

The bells blare announcing the call for worship
The shuffle of feet and murmur of voices
The clang of locks and lockers
The Gathering of books an ancient ritual performed every morning;
Performed by the masses in an act to please the Gods
The Gods put the people to work everyday, guide the people and determine their grade
The Gods teach the people in the ways of Geography, English and Maths;
Skills that must be taught but are never used
But are only to taught because of tradition
Such are the ways, for the peoples' ancestors were taught, and their ancestors' ancestors
The skills of Shakespeare, coastal processing and poems are taught to never be used
The people sit all dressed in their worshipping dress, in an effort to please the Gods
Their hair all cut, shirts tucked in and fabric adorning their necks
The people sit attentive, more from fear than respect
Working for their lives

To please the Gods

Learning useless skills about past, present and future
In an effort to please the Gods
The same Gods who can create and destroy life

with a letter

From A-F

No. 6

Many subjects of history must stand as moments that must always be remembered, these moments must stand as testimonies of the destruction and death that had occurred. These subjects must never be tainted with humour for they must stay as a testament to the damage done in the past and the need to prevent such an event ever happening again.

Any event about the destruction of human life in no purpose such as the Holocaust which has become such a dark page in history and a pillar of death an ever ready reminder of cruelty human beings can possess against themselves. These events should never be made 'funny' with any form of satire. These events are needed to remind generations to come of the hatred humans can possess against themselves. Satire is used in events of history or politics to bring these events into a more funny light, satire is used to make fun of people, to make an event 'funny' and to tone down the news this should never be done for some subjects. These subjects such as the Holocaust where the deaths of millions should never be 'toned down' but should remain as the harsh truth of the extreme cruelty human beings possess. These events should never be satirised out of respect of the people effected and to the people fallen, to protect the future and the purity of the damage done upon each other and to protect the purity of the information.

As the generations after these dark pages in history we have the responsibility to protect the time before to deny the right to tone down the events by satire so future generations may learn from the past in an effort to protect the future. Satire can be used in events political events and current news but must never taint such subjects involving mass genocide or the deaths of millions in respect for the people effected. Satire is used to tone down current events but there are some subjects that must never be toned down but must remain the dark page of history as a testament to our dark history.

Analysis of Satirical Cartoons

1. The constant mass epidemics of diseases eg. Bird flu, Swine flu

2. A hypochondriac overreacting to a cold by comparing it to an unheard of disease

3. The use of tissues, thermometer, shaded nose represents general sickness

4. The cartoonist highlights the overreaction of hypochondriacs by having the character refer to an unusual disease.

5. I agree with the cartoonists opinion on hypochondriacs and the constant use of ever more 'deadlier' diseases, this is because of the constant overreactions on the constant new strands of diseases of swine flu and avian flu and the general response of people.

1. The constant issues with inspection of luggage and the amount of time taken up. Also the perception of time  experienced during the 'busy periods' when it seems every possible thing that could increase the time happens

2. The officers specifically training the dog to make the passenger's life as slow as possible during these busy periods.

3. The use of the plane in the background and uniforms of the characters implies the setting being in an airport and the characters being officers.

4. How the airport security is trained to make life as slow as possible for the passengers

5. I agree with the cartoonist's opinion about airport security being unnecessarily slow

Satire

8. The use of incongruity of the door labelled 'poofters' accompanied with the text "There's too much of this bloody political correctness these days, Norm." and the use of stereotypical Australian slang.
10. The use of incongruity and exaggeration of using report cards and examinations for prep schools and how unnecessary it truly is.
9. The use of incongruity and exaggeration highlighting the political debates on Australian's growing alliance with America
13. The use of exaggeration and replacement of a popular movie with political leaders to exaggerate how Australia has been taken over by America

Wei-Lei and Me (Aditi Gouvernel)

1. What word in the opening sentence means ‘short and flat’?
   The words in the opening sentence that means 'short and flat' are "pig nose" that compares Barry to having a pig like nose implying a short and pushed in nose.
    What is so ‘Australian’ about Barry West?
   In the opening paragraph the quote "the red stained face of Australian summers" which summarises Barry's appearance being very Australian
    What is the opening interaction between the two characters about?
   The opening interaction between the author and Barry are them arguing this argument shows the inherited racism Barry demonstrates to Indians
    What is the protagonist’s home country?
   The protagonist's home country is in India, Delhi.
    What word means “noble and splendid”? (p75)
   "Aristocratic"
    In what way is the protagonist’s home country “aristocratic”?
   The author then later describes the "the city filled with places, temples, gardens and tombs" all of these imply splendour and befitting of an aristocratic family.
    Where did the protagonist’s father move his family to? Why?
   The author describes "Delhi, with its eons of history, was not a place that could be 'added to.' Australia, on the other hand, large, spacious and full of gaps, would be a place where we could create a new identity" this quote explains how the family wanted to carve a new identity in Australia.
    What is the protagonist’s attitude towards the citizenship ceremony? (pp75-6)
   The protagonist does not describe the citizenship in detail but considers herself as being Australian.
    How is Barry West the antagonist?
   Barry West is considered the antagonist as conflict begins when he "told the world" that the author "wiped my butt with my hands".
   What is the irony of the comments made by Amy and Cris? (p76)
   The irony shown by Amy and Cris being how they describe her looking like "shit" when the were tormenting her.
   What is “you have to face the world” a metaphor for? (p76)
   "You have to face the world" is a metaphor how the author has to see the world and prove people wrong.
   What is the teacher’s hair compared to? Is this an example of a metaphor or simile? (p77)
   The teacher's hair is compared to "a halo of curly red hair" this is an example of a metaphor saying the teacher's hair was a halo.
   How is the children’s cruel creativity put into action once Wei-Lei arrives? (p77)
   The author describes the cruel creativity being "It took the class exactly thirty seconds to shorten his name to Wee".
   Explain the relevance of the ‘cat and toy’ metaphor. (p77)
   The relevance of the "cat and toy" metaphor extends throughout the chapter describing how cruel the children can be toying with Wei-Li.
   How does the children’s cruel creativity have a more sinister side?
   The children then start to hit, spank and kick Wei-Li and force him to pull down his pants.
   What does the protagonist mean by “the afternoon passed like a death sentence”? (p78)
   The author describes how slowly the afternoon passed comparing it to a death sentence full of anticipation.
   Why does the protagonist see everything Indian “lit by a spotlight”? (p78)
   The protagonist feels self-conscience about how Indian her family seemed to her and thus describes how it seemed out of place as if it was lit by a spotlight.
   How does the story build to a climax? (p79)
   The story begins to build to a climax as the tension builds when the author and Wei-Li hiding from Barry out of fear.
   What is the irony of Barry’s fate? (p80)
   Barry is forced to move to Jakarta a foreign country
   Explain what the protagonist means by “as our faces changed, so did Canberra” (p81).
   As time went on so Canberra changed like new buildings and roads becoming more mature with age.
   What do you think the protagonists’ definition of being Australian would be? (p81)
   Having a group of friends and enjoying time with each other by accepting each other.

Conversations with my Parents by Oanh Thi Tran

1. What is ironic about the way the author and the father become close? What has to happen to the father?

The irony seen in how the author and the father became close is through life threatening sickness is the only way the Author can become close to their father.

2. How would you characterise the conversation that the author has with her parents?

The conversation mainly revolves around the father asking about the well-being of the author while the author continuously asks how everyone is feeling but is constantly ignored.

3. What is it that worries the author most about these conversations?

How quick the conversation is and how all the conversations are "lacking sentiment" this can be seen in the conversation with the author's niece where she tells her that she doesn't miss her. The author also worries about how "the phone dies before I even say goodbye" and how they want to say that she loves her family.

4. There is a gap between the author’s need to express feelings common in western countries and her family’s lack of desire to express their feelings verbally. How does the family still express their feelings for their child, just not verbally?

The family expresses their feelings through little actions such as making the author's favourite foods, "you like to eat banh xeo so much . We will remember you".

The Relative Advantages of Learning my Language by Amy Choi

The Relative Advantages of Learning my Language by Amy Choi

1. The author opens the story with an anecdote. What is the anecdote and what effect does it have on the reader?
The anecdote in the opening of the story is intended to give a background to why the author is feeling the she is currently and why she is learning Chinese. The anecdote has a shock factor to how cruelly the author treats her grandfather and the regret she feels.

2. What is the author’s view of the Chinese language in the 2^nd paragraph?
The author found the language pointless because she lived in Australia where the main language at the time was English and found no reason to actively learn the language

3. What is symbolic about the house that the Grandfather mistakes for his own? What does it say about the assimilation of his family into Australian culture? What does it say about his understanding of Australian culture? What is ironic about the inhabitants of this house?
The assimilation into Australian culture can be seen when the Grandfather mistakes another house for his own this demonstrates how much the family has assimilated into Australian culture. This represents his lack of understanding to Australian culture and how he is finding it difficult to change.

4. What does the death of her grandfather inspire the author to do?
The death of her grandfather inspires the author to start to recover the language she once lost in an act to understand her grandfather a little bit more.

5. Why is she motivated to know Chinese? What is it she wants to ensure she is able to, regretting that she couldn't do it with her grandfather?

The author is motivated to learn Chinese so she can listen to another person's story because of her regret of never letting her grandfather tell his.

why does it matter? (Baked Beans and Burnt Toast)

 All of the short stories in 'Growing Up Asian in Australia' have the same motifs, this being belonging and identity.  "Baked Beans and Burnt Toast" displays the same major motifs represented throughout the whole book, the general outline of the story being about the author returning the Hong Kong after growing up in Australia being called a banana or ABC (Australian born Chinese). The author experiences Hong Kong for the first time and has flashbacks to how discriminatory people were in her childhood and this can be summed up in one quote "of all the Aussies who've enquired, 'Why don't you go back to where you came from?' down the years. Well, I'm back now. Back to a place I've never been to before. Happy?" this quote describes the disgust of prejudice the author despises from the many preconceived ideologies. This story represents the sense of identity second generation immigrants feel when making the transition between immigrant and Australian this can be seen in the discussion with Pete. This can be seen when the author describes the harsh differences Hong Kong is compared to Australia and how it's "like a slap in the face that makes you feel good" this describes how shocking Hong Kong is while exhilarating.

The title "Baked Beans and Burnt Toast" is juxtaposed to the strange country the author experiences highlighting how different she is compared to her 'home country'. This highlights the motif of belonging and sense of identity that is demonstrated throughout the book. Overall the story is describes the hardships of racism that the author experiences and how she feels that she is Australian rather than Chinese this can be seen when she describes herself as an ABC or banana, this can be seen through the extended anecdote describing her first day at school and the inherited racism the teacher has towards her asking whether she speaks English. Throughout the entire story an extended metaphor can be seen involving loyalty by using dogs, this can be seen when the author describes Peter "a stray dog that follows you around all day. You shoo it away, throw rocks at it, ignore it, but it would always be back" and "It's bit of a talking dog thing, isn't it?" these quotes use the stereotype of how dogs will always find their owner this is demonstrated when after many years the author finds Peter the "stray dog".

My First Kiss by Lian Low

1. How does the author describe Malaysia in regards to showing affection?

The author describes Malaysian cultural beliefs in regards of public affection to being frowned upon to the extent to an interpretation of the law under an act of indecent behaviour

2. What happens to the author when she hits puberty?

When the author hits puberty she describes how relationships between male friends change and how she is forced to retreat to a safe place as her old friends now treat her differently.

3. What is the author’s experience at school when she first arrives to Melbourne?

The author has had good experiences when she first arrived in Melbourne and started to attend school but mostly kept to herself and only made friends with other Asian children.

4. What is it that made the author feel that she wasn’t Australian even though she spoke English fluently?

The fact that the author had a prominent and strong accent which prompted other people to ask questions such as "how long have you been here?" reminded her of the fact that she was not Australian and destroyed her attempts of fitting in.

5. What else was it about the author that further alienated her from her peers?

The relationships the author wanted further alienated her in the aspect of many of her friends being Malaysians or Christians would have frowned upon her choices. 

6. What does the use of description like ‘crash hot’ do to the audience’s perception of the author?

The description like 'crash hot' highlights the authors age at the current time through the use of colloquial language.

7. What opportunity does university give the author? What is it about university which would allow her to express herself more freely?

University offered the author the freedom to express and act more freely and truthfully to herself allowing her to develop fully into the person she truly was.

8. What role does creativity play for the author? Why do you think that creativity would be so important to her?

Creativity was an outlet for the author as a means for her to act out her feelings and place them down on paper a means to express herself fully without the fear of repercussions or judgement from other people.

Lessons from my School Years by Ray Wing-Lun

1. There is a stark contrast created in the opening of this story between what the narrator had been doing before entering school and what will be expected at school? What is this contrast and what does it immediately create in the story?

The contrast between the childhood of the author and the start of school being the industrialism and aspirations of becoming like his father and mother respecting them for their jobs and personalities compared to the less productive life at school.

2. The author continues this theme of contrast at the start of the story. How does he do this in his description of his experience of Sydney’s North Shore?

The description of the North Shore shows the authors aspirations for life and where he wants it to take him as he dreams of better things.

3. What was the father’s background in business before he opened the fruit shop? What has helped him become successful?

The father lacked any background in business before the opening of the fruit shop but his personality and love for hard work allowed him to become successful.

4. The narrator’s description of his father is complex. What makes the father a complex character?

The description of the father ranges from his loving personality by chatting to all the customers to the hard work carrying the fruit cases to his artistic side when he practices in calligraphy in both languages.

5. (91) How does the author describe his role in doing ‘things that counted’?

The author describes his role in doing things that counted include how he is able to make the school look better through academics.

6. What experience does the author have at school while keeping to himself? What does he learn from this experience?

The experiences does the author have at school while observing the other boys at school and how other people place him on a pedestal with all the boys respecting him.

7. How would you characterise the narrator’s tone in regards to the events that are occurring around him?

The narrators tone in regards to the events that were occurring him is a scientific emotionless state lacking emotion by only stating the bear facts of the events happening around him.

8. How does the narrator characterise the ways that one could ‘get the strap’ and ways that one could avoid it?

The narrator characterise the ways one could "get the strap" by listing many possible ways one could be punished for and stating that there were not many ways to not "get the strap".

9. What event evokes a racist speech to the class by the teacher?

The racist speech the teacher makes about how Asians can never contribute anything to the country makes the author to become even more quite in class and in school becoming like a ghost.

10. What effect did the author’s experience with ‘Strap Happy Jack’ have on him?

The effect 'Strap Happy Jack' had upon the author forced him to become quite around other people in school to protect himself from racism and other teachers.

11. What was the one advantage school provided the author?

The one advantage the school provided to the author was discipline but failed because all were punished whether they worked hard or not.

12. What did the author do at his school? What was his motivation for doing it? What did he feel was lacking at school?

The author started a workshop program where the best students would present papers on the biggest topics in each subject. The author was motivated to this to help other students to do well in their HSC.

13. What did the parents want their son to do at school? What did the author fear would happen by obeying his parents?

The authors parents wanted him to learn the way and what the teachers wanted to learn. The author's feared that if he obeyed his parents he he will spend all his time learning what they want he wouldn't have time to learn to think and do things for himself.

14. At school, what did the author learn about his own type of thinking and how to use it?

The author learnt that he had different ideas about what was important and he just had to find the opportunity to use the kind of thinking he had.

Teenage Dreamers by Phillip Tang

1.What are the first two sentences of the story and how do they create a tension in the story?

The opening sentences are short creating tension in addition to the short sentence length it discusses the how the author's father has a supernatural power and that he could predict how and when the person will die.

2. What has happened to the author’s father as a result of his wife’s death?

The author's father started to become obsessed with this actor Leslie Cheung after his wife's death "I could picture him - a short ball of a man with grey-shot hair amongst the throng of girls, screaming at Leslie's concerts. He simply studied the singer on stage with the dreaming eyelids."

3. Consider how the father lives his life and conducts himself and the other people in the theatre for the film the author and his father are watching. How does this relate to the title of the story?

The father was constantly knowing whether or not people are going to die and how and the death prediction his father created drove the author's father to tears similar to the movie.

Pigs from Home

1. How does the author start this story which is in direct contrast to the title of the story? What effect does this have on the reader and their expectations of the story?

The ideology behind 'Pigs from Home' suggests positive connotations while the anecdote the author uses juxtaposes the idea of the pigs being friendly and the childish ideas of happy pigs.

2. What core Vietnamese value is instilled in the author?

The core value instilled into the author was "the belief that any good Vietnamese family was a self-sustaining one" this being is seen in the family by their own farm containing herbs and animals.

3. What is humorous about the mother’s ‘flair for natural medicine’ in regards to her personality?

The mother's 'flair for natural medicine' suggests a superstitious personality and justifies her being a hypochondriac.

4. How does the description of the killing of pigeons continue the style utilised in the introduction of the story?

The description involving the manner the pigeon was killed continues on with the style of the bizarre comparing the traditional Vietnamese culture to the one the author sees as Australia this is seen when the author wonders if other kids have to experience this.

5. What is the author’s opinion of pigs? Give two quotes to support your conclusion.

The author describes pig excrement as bieng "the most repulsive smelling of all" this suggests the authors dislike of anything to do with pigs this is further seen in the quote "no pig has ever been a friend of mine"

6. In the paragraph on pgs 53-54, give two examples of alliteration employed by the author.

"pushed the poultry" and "prime position" are two examples of alliteration in the paragraph on pages 53 to 54.

7. On pg 54 what simile is used to describe pigs? How does this simile work for the situation it is used?

The simile used to describe the pigs in page 54 was "a pig is like the ocean: don't ever turn your back on it" contains irony in the sense of the duck turning its back to the pig. This simile focuses on the the pig being untrustworthy and dangerous at the same time.

8. What simile does the author use to describe her mother sunning herself? How does this relate to the core focus of the story?

The simile used to describe the grandmother was "the only reason she'd leave the house was to sun herself by standing in the driveway and turning herself slowly like a rotisserie chicken" this simile complements the core focus of the story of how different the Vietnamese are compared to the rest of the community.

9. What does the author describe as ‘the divide between the old world and the new’? What do you think is meant by this statement?

The statement 'the divide between the old world and the new' highlights the authors opinions on their parents traditions and ideologies.

Writing Letters

 Bruno -> Grandmother

Dear Grandmother

The time at Out-with as been more exciting everyday with my new friend, but sadly I must leave for Berlin soon and we might never see each other again this saddens me greatly. I remember all the time we spent together talking and sharing jokes but mostly talking about our lives. I have learnt so many things about him and his other people on the other side of the fence but his father has gone missing and me being his friend must go on the ultimate adventure to find his father. This will be out last time together so I hope that it will be the most fun yet and will be the last fond memory with him before I come back to our old home.

I hope to see you soon ... Bruno

Gretel -> Bruno

To my dearest brother

I know that you will receive this letter because you will be found and you will be well. You are the best at going on adventures so you should be the best at survival, mother and I miss you very much (mother sometimes cries when I talk about how you will be back tomorrow or the day after). When you do get home I'm going to hit you so hard for giving us such a scare like that, going off on your own without telling anyone. Other people say that since it has been over a week that you might never be found but I don't believe them, I won't believe them because you are my brother the nicest most adventuring and I know that you will be able to get out of this mess. I miss you so much and I am so sorry for anything that I might had done to make you upset.

I miss you so much ...

Your loving ss

Evaluation Stuart

Most of the questions you had written down were quite good but with no quotes and only page numbers taking time to make people look for the quotes.

The questions he did answer were in-depth placing the question under a new light but how does bubble shatter?

Made some good elaborations on many answers by highlighting irony

Had some good input to the parallel lives questions

It seemed Stuart always had his hand up

             8

\( '  0  ' )/

11 + 12

Main techniques
11
Symbolism (The Fury)
Juxtaposition
Diction
Alliteration (big believer)
Repetition (foot to foot)

How is Hitler represented through the use of Bruno calling him the 'Fury'?
Angry and unjustified hatred
What in Hitler's personality is highlighted when in the quote "I can speak French too, she added, which was not strictly speaking true .. "Yes, but why would you want to?' asked the Fury, and this time no one laughed"?
This is related to history and the war against France.
How is the Fury represented in the quote "'Eva!' roared the Fury for  a second time , and now she started to walk away from them" ?
What is the effect the ellipses used throughout page 124?
What is the overall effect this extended flashback has?

12
Visual aids
Rhetorical question
Italics

How is the title of the chapter significant?
links to the previous chapter when Bruno asks Shmuel a question?
What are the 2 pictures? What does this show about Bruno's personality?
What is does consequent conversation after the images show about Bruno's knowledge of current events?
What is the irony shown with armbands?

Chapter 10

(105) What does the progression of 'dot' to 'boy' tell us about the role of exploring and meeting the people in the camp? What does this represent about how other Germans view the Jews?
The use of the progression from "dot" to "boy" symbolises the change in views that Bruno is currently experiencing discovering empathy for other characters shown in the book previously with Maria. This progressions alludes to the realisation that Bruno will experience when discovering Shmuel.
(109) What effect does the boys both having the same birthday have?
The effect that both boys sharing the same birthday highlights how both boys are similar and fully exposes the unjustified hate the Nazis have against the Jews. This juxtaposition of both boys highlights the similarities that both boys have and how the Nazis have no justification for imprisoning the Jews when Bruno and Shmuel and relatively the same except for their religion.
(113-4) What do Bruno and Shmuel 'argue' about? What does Bruno decided to stop the argument?
Both boys argue about whether Berlin or Poland is a better area to live in, Bruno decides to stop the argument by changing the subject to whether or not Shmuel likes exploring because he may fear losing Shmuel as a friend.
(115) What does Bruno's last question reveal to Shmuel? What do you think Shmuel thinks of Bruno because of asking this question?
The last question Bruno asks is "why are there so many people on that side of the fence? ... and what are you all doing there?" these questions Bruno asks brings the reader back to reality of what hardships Shmuel is currently experiencing. This question also highlights Bruno's continued innocence even when he is facing the true atrocities face to face. Shmuel may think of Bruno of being a bit idiotic for asking a question like why the Jews were on that side of the fence because Shmuel's innocence may shroud the fact that Bruno is also a German and that he is related to his suffering. 

Chapter 9: Bruno Remembers That He Used to Enjoy Exploration

(pg95-96) How is Lt Kotler portrayed? Why is he portrayed this way? (remember that how' is asking about literary techniques)
Lt Kotler is portrayed as being stereotypical soldier this is shown when Bruno describes him having "black boots" the alliteration in the quote highlights his order and discipline in maintaining his boots to such a standard. 
What is Herr Liszt going to 'change' for Bruno? (98)
Herr Liszt is put into place by his father to place the Bruno and Gretel back into their studies to fill their mornings and afternoons with lessons Bruno describes it when "Herr Liszt rattled up the driveway on his bone shaker and it was time for school again" the use of description highlights Bruno's dislike of the idea of school.
(100) What connection does Bruno make between the people in the camp and the people that come and visit his house all the time?
Bruno compares the soldiers to the Jews inside the concentration camp asking "what exactly was the difference? Which people wore the striped pyjamas and which people wore the uniforms?". Bruno discovers the balance of power between the Nazis and the Jews "the pyjama people all jumped to attention whenever the soldiers approached and sometimes they fell to the ground". This connection that Bruno creates juxtaposes the two groups and discusses why one side had the power and one didn't when they were both similar.
What some of the things that Bruno begins to take notice of regarding the relationship   between the soldiers and the people in 'pyjamas'?
Bruno begins to take notice of the differing balances of power between the Nazis and the Jews he describes their interactions "the pyjama people all jumped to attention whenever the soldiers approached and sometimes they fell to the ground" this quote shows Bruno's understanding of why the Jews who are powerless.

Theme, Motif + Technique

Historical themes/ human idea
Theme
i.e. Innocence
Motif used to highlight theme
Motif
i.e. Juxtaposition
Repeated use of technique
Technique
i.e. simile

Chapter 6

• On pg 60 Bruno reveals a radical shift in his perspective and understanding of Maria. What is this radical shift? What does this show is developing in Bruno?

Bruno shows the radical shift in his perspective and understanding of Maria by seeing her as being a person compared to his previous thoughts of her just being 'the maid'. This change in understanding about Maria's life may represent how Bruno is starting to mature and how his becoming more compassionate to all people alluding to how he sees the Jews.

• Compare how Bruno and Gretel treat Maria.

• Bruno after learning discovering about Maria's life and why she had become the maid for the family starts to treat her with compassion. Juxtaposed to how Gretel treats Maria as an object to make life easier for her this highlights Bruno's new understanding about her.

• (pg 65) What is Maria's advice to Bruno about 'keeping safe'? Why do you think that she gives this advice? Do you think that it is good or bad advice?

• Maria's advice to Bruno in 'keeping safe' is that to listen to his father and keep his own mouth shut this advice shows the fear that Maria possesses because she has more knowledge than Bruno about their current situation. This could be considered good advice as she is genuinely concerned about Bruno's well being.

• (65-6) What is Bruno's reaction to his new thoughts/feelings? Why do you think that he reacts this way?

• Bruno's reaction to his new thoughts about Maria and how he used to treat her when he sees Gretel treat her the way he used to is to listen to all people and to know them. This alludes to his understanding of the Jews torments and how the Germans could not understand them as people.

Chapter 7

How is the mother's defence of Herr Roller entirely ironic?
The fact that mother defends Herr Roller as being a wonderful human being before he suffered his conditions is ironic to her ignorance of herself and the Nazis of how the Jews were human beings before Hitler decided to place the blame upon them.
What role does Kotler represent historically in the novel? (think beyond being a soldier)
Kotler might represent the German army as he is described as being in top physical condition and how he used to have his uniform well orientated and organised. This is shown by how he is described by Bruno and the juxtaposition demonstrated when he is currently described as being hot and messy.
What character is Kotler juxtaposed with in this chapter? What effect does it have on understanding each of these characters?
Kotler is juxtaposed to Pavel, as in one being a German officer and one being a Jew. This juxtaposition highlights the way the Nazis treated the Jews and their thoughts and perceptions about their people.
How would you compare the interaction Bruno has with Pavel to all the other interactions Bruno has had with adults?
The interaction between Bruno and Pavel compared to the interactions between Kotler and Pavel are drastically different. Bruno treats Pavel like he treated Maria after hearing about her life and treats him like another person juxtaposed to how Kotler treats him.
Why is juxtaposition a key technique employed in Holocaust texts? How has it been used in The Boy in the Striped PJ's?
Juxtaposition is a key technique  employed in most Holocaust texts due to the need to highlight the class differences of the Jews compared to the Nazis. Juxtaposition is used to highlight key differences and highlight them, juxtaposition can be used to show the balance of power and is often used in Holocaust texts to demonstrate the differences of the Jews and the Nazis. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is no different as it has several instances of juxtaposition to highlight the differences of Bruno to Gretel, Kotler to Pavel, Father to Mother and many other different situations.

Holocaust Poetry #2

Homeland
Lois E. Olena

It was Christmas eve
and there was no room in the inn,
the Oswiecim inn,
so the Arrow Cross
took the children,
barefooted
and in their nighties,
out to the Danube
and filled their little bellies
not with bread
but bullets
flipping them
like tiddlywinks
into the congealing, icy river below.

It was the Red Danube
that night,
choking on the blood
of orphan Jews
whose little Blue faces
floated downstream
touring even all of Europe
until they washed up
on the shores of Eretz Yisrael (Jewish homeland)
and came back to life,
their little blue and white
bodies
raised high,
flapping in the wind.


How is imagery used in this poem?

Imagery is used in this poem of the common Christmas story of the birth of Jesus and thus changing key parts of this common story. The imagery of the "filling their little belies not with bread but with bullets" creates a strong emotional imagery of children being shot down in cold blood.

Discuss the effect of the simile in this poem.
The simile "flipping them like tiddlywinks into the congealing, icy river below" highlights the fact that the people being murdered were children by comparing the dumping of the bodies to playing tiddlywinks. This simile highlights the German ruthlessness.

How is alliteration used in the poem? What is the effect?
Alliteration is used in this poem in "filled their little bellies not with bread but with bullets" the short sharp 'b' sounds in "bellies ... bread ... bullets" highlights the pain and suddenness of their death.

How does the author juxtapose the innocence of the children to the cruelty they experienced?
The author juxtaposes the innocence of the children to the cruelty they are experience by using childish words such as "bellies ... tiddlywinks" these words highlight their childish innocence.

What is meant by 'touring all of Europe'?The "touring all of Europe" relates to the wars all over Europe and the consequent concentration camps built within Europe. The quote relates to a well known fact that Nazis built concentration camps in numerous areas in Germany.

Boy in the Striped PJ's Chapter 4

(pg 31) How does the author continue to use juxtaposition in regards to the two housing situations? (the Jews and Bruno's family)
The juxtaposition shown from Bruno's family and the Jews in the concentration camp is seen in the description Bruno's house with the "flowers which grew in neat orderly sections in soil that looked as if it was tended very carefully" compared to "a huge wire fence that ran along the length of the house and turned in at the top". These quotes show the drastic differences in the two different lifestyles.
What is it about the children that makes it difficult to understand exactly what they see through the window and just how bad it is?

Both Bruno and Gretel do not see the pain the Jews are experienced because they do not have a full understanding over the recent political events that Germany is facing currently and due to their age they possess some innocence from the atrocities.

Summarise how Gretel describes what she sees.
Gretel describes the concentration camp as being enclosed by a large chain link barbed wire fence with "no greenery anywhere".

What does Gretel attempt to do when she sees the Concentration Camp? How does she attempt to understand what she sees?
Gretel does not see the true reasons of why there were people in the 'camp' and why there were no girls in the camp. She accepts the explanation offered by Bruno for the girls being on another part of the camp. Gretel attempts to understand what she sees by making vague explanations about the situation.

Is her attempt successful? Does she convince Bruno that she understands? What does she eventually give in to? What does she say/or not say? (pg 32)
Gretel's attempt to make an explanation of why this 'camp' was looking so "nasty" is that it must be in the country side. Her attempt is successful in convincing Bruno but she still has some doubts about why they are there. She does not say why the people are living  in such conditions.

What can't the children do when they see the Concentration Camp that the adults seem to be able to do? Which group can understand what they see? Why do you think that this is the case?
How does the author use understatement through the children's description of the Concentration Camp?

The children can't understand why the people are living in such conditions and why the people are behind this large barbed wire fence. The children do not consider this because they possess an element of innocence do not see the atrocities taking place in the 'camp'

Holocaust Imagery - Hitler at a Nazi Rally

This is an image of a political rally in 1934, a staple of the Nazi regime. In your own blog post answer the questions below and include the image.

How are vectors used in this image? What effect does it have?
Vectors are used in this image to create a line of sight from Hitler in the foreground to the crowds in the background. This shows the viewer the size of the crowd and thus the number of people who have come to see Hitler at this political rally.
Describe the composition of the image and what is tells us about the Nazis and Hitler.
Hitler is located in front of high ranking officers showing his power over those people and he is surrounded by the swastika banners by what appears to military supporters each one with swastika arm bands. This use of uniformed men create a sense of order and the use of the banners show how important Hitler is compared to the rest of the populace.
How is symmetry used? What effect does it have?
Symmetry is used in the two lines of banners with men holding the banners creating a pathway for Hitler and official party to walk down. The effect this symmetry shows is the strength of the political party in support.
What effect does this picture being in black and white have?
The effect the picture has in being black and white blends all the uniformed men into one large group emphasising the number of people located in the crowd supporting Hitler. The black and white imagery also symbolises the ideology of the Nazi party's ideals about the Jewish people.
The contrast of the dark Nazi soldiers and of the colour of the crowd being a lighter colour represents the need the crowd has for to be leaded out of the dark time Germany was currently in.
Discuss the use of line in this image. What effect does it have?
The line created by the walkway moving into the distance accompanied with the large crowds aligned on each side show the order of the party in organisation and power in sheer numbers.
The straight lines used in the banners show the order within the Nazi party and of the ideologies the Nazi party supports.

Chapter 3: The Hopeless Case

List quotes that show how the new house is described.
"Well, what's Out-With  then?" he repeated "Out with What?"
"That's the name of the house,". This quote shows the ignorance of Bruno but also shows the mysterious of the house and area and how Bruno nor Gretel no about the implications of the area. " His house in Berlin didn't even have a name : it was just number four."
Describe how Bruno and Gretel's relationship is introduced in the chapter.
The relationship between Bruno and Gretel is introduced as being a stereotypical brother sister relationship. This is shown through how Bruno describes Gretel as being a "hopeless case".
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?

The significance of this quote shows Bruno's thoughts about the house and describes the age and built the house is. By describing it as about to "collapse around their ears" also highlights Bruno's dislike for the house.

What is Bruno's reaction to the new house?

Bruno's reaction to the new house is of despise and dislike by describing it as being "hollow" and with nothing to do.

How does it compare to their old house?

The old house is described a large amount in this chapter to juxtapose the new house, the old house as described by Bruno as being nice, large and well built.

How does Gretel relate to her father?

Gretel holds their father in high regard as it is described as "Gretel, who always spoke of Father as if he could never do any wrong and never got angry and always came in to kiss her goodnight before she went to sleep".
Gretel lines up her dolls like her father organising the troops. Gretel enjoys the sense of power and superiority over Bruno while her father has power over the troops (being a high ranking officer). Bruno is represented as being a Jew as having less power and that the dolls symbolise the troops of her father.

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

Bruno does not understand the significance of the area or where the house is situated because it is a common motif of Bruno mispronouncing the well known Auschwitz as "Out-With"

Does Gretel understand where they are? Explain.

Gretel does not fully understand where they as she replies to Bruno's question of why the area is called "Out-With" by saying it was the name of the house.

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

Bruno's description of "Out-with" as it being desolate and bare with no life shows this is the representation of what is occurring inside the concentration camp. 

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 is curious about the children while Gretel is cautious of what the children are doing there and why they are on the other side of the fence. This shows the lack of knowledge Bruno juxtaposed to Gretel's understanding of the situation.

Responding to a Poem

We fight, we die
we fight for morales.
We were taught to fight against oppression
to fight against the strong for the weak.
We all send men into the machine of war to fight for 'the little guy', to fight against the oppressors for the oppressed. We fight with the fear of another massacre, the next terrorist attack another holocaust. We fight for the fallen, we fight for the war to end wars, the war for the better morales. We fight for our governments, for the fallen. We fight in the fear of another holocaust, another massacre, another terrorist attack. We fight for the fallen, we fight for the memory, we fight for morales, but is it right?

Responding to a poem

Holocaust
by Barbara Sonek

We played, we laughed
we were loved.
We were ripped from the arms of our
parents and thrown into the fire.
We were nothing more than children.
We had a future. We were going to be lawyers, rabbis, wives, teachers, mothers. We had dreams, then we had no hope. We were taken away in the dead of night like cattle in cars, no air to breathe smothering, crying, starving, dying. Separated from the world to be no more. From the ashes, hear our plea. This atrocity to mankind can not happen again. Remember us, for we were the children whose dreams and lives were stolen away.


What is your initial reaction to this poem?

The initial reaction of the poem starts off somewhat cheerful because by stating "played ... laughed" both of those words have positive connotations but with "we" placed before the words shows the atmospheric sadness.

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

The author uses "we" to create a sense of the number of the people. The use of using "we" towards the start of the poem shows the number of people before the alludes towards the holocaust.

What are the verbs used in the first sentence?

The verbs used in the first sentence are "played ... laughed" these verbs have positive connotations towards the narrator's life.

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

The verb used in the second sentence "loved" has negative connotations juxtaposed to "played ... laughed" because "loved" suggests once being loved by someone then no longer.What effect does the listing of 'lawyers, rabbis, wives, teachers, mothers'? What is it meant to signify?

The effect by listing "lawyers, rabbis, wives, teachers" signify the joy in once having dreams to become what they wanted to become is now destroyed for all people in the situation.

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

The simile "we were taken away in the dead of night like cattle in cars" and the further listing of the conditions compare their lives towards animals being sent to an abattoir.

How has the poet represented herself in the last sentence?

The poet represents herself as being one of the dead pleading for the living to never allow such atrocities to ever happen again to anyone else.

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 communicate to this person saying all that had happened in the world describing each recent incident that has recently occurred in the world. Some of these occurrences may be seen as horrific but is an example as the world improving from what it used to be.