Cover Design In small groups discuss the picture on the cover of the novel: -What might the symbol of the dominos represent? -What colours are used?

Cover Design

In small groups discuss the picture on the cover of the novel:

- What might the symbol of the dominos represent?

- What colours are used? What feelings or connotations does this “look” evoke in the reader?

Summary

A young girl, Liesel Meminger is sent to live with a foster family in a German town called Molching in 1939. She develops a passion for words and has an impact on many. Her life is forever changed by the people of Himmel Street and her experiences during this dangerous time.

Before reading The Book Thief it will be important for you to get a sense of the setting. Many significant historical developments and setbacks happened during the late 1930s and early 1940s.

As you know, every story has an antagonist...

ADOLF HITLER

ADOLF HITLER

German politician and leader of the Nazi Party (NSDAP)

He believed in “Social Darwinism” (survival of the fittest). With the destruction of inferior races, would come the preservation and strength of the German race.

Hitler

Believed Aryan race was the Master Race

Nordic Race – Characterized by fair skin, light hair and light eyes, tall stature

Nazi’s believed Aryan’s were ideal and superior to all other races

Why did he target Jews?

There is not one distinctive answer to this question. Many factors contributed to Hitler’s desire to annihilate the Jewish population.

Conspiracies against Jews

There had been much anti-Jewish prejudice in different parts of Europe at the time.

It was believed that the Jews had caused Germany’s defeat in WWI.

Some common misconceptions were: They were not as patriotic as other Germans They didn’t fight in the war, they were all business men


Jealousy - some Jews were successful and held respectable positions in parts of Europe while much of Germany was unemployed and impoverished at the time.

Believed that Jewish businessmen and bankers put Germany into economic depression for their own benefit and greed.


Jews did not integrate – they maintained their own beliefs and traditions within the German society

At the time other Germans saw this as a lack of patriotism and harboured resentment as a result

Mein Kampf - My Struggle

Autobiography and manifest of Hitler’s political views

Discusses an alleged Jewish conspiracy for world domination

Communism and Judaism – the world’s two evils

Ignoring Human Dignity

Confining Jews in ghettos was not Hitler's brainchild. For centuries, Jews had faced persecution, and were often forced to live in designated areas called ghettos.

The arrival of the Nazis in September 1939 changed the situation completely, however, in that they were a preliminary step in the annihilation of the Jews, rather than a method to just isolate them from the rest of society.

As the war against the Jews progressed, the ghettos became transition areas, used as collection points for deportation to death camps and concentration camps.

Confining Jews in ghettos was not Hitler's brainchild. For centuries, Jews had faced persecution, and were often forced to live in designated areas called ghettos.

The arrival of the Nazis in September 1939 changed the situation completely, however, in that they were a preliminary step in the annihilation of the Jews, rather than a method to just isolate them from the rest of society.

As the war against the Jews progressed, the ghettos became transition areas, used as collection points for deportation to death camps and concentration camps.

The GhettosThe Ghettos

Population Density in the Ghettos

Population Density in the Ghettos

During the Nazi occupation of Poland, 230,000 Jews were forced to live in a ghetto in Lódz, Poland. By the end of 1939, the 4.3 square kilometer ghetto was occupied by an average of 3.5 people per room. In 1941, 25,000 additional people were brought to the ghetto to live. By October of 1940, Nazis had confined nearly 400,000 Jews in a 3.5 square mile area of Warsaw which normally housed about 160,000. The area was surrounded by a wall 10 feet high and was sealed off on November 15, 1940. Jews were forbidden to go outside the area on penalty of being shot on sight. No contact with the outside world was allowed.

During the Nazi occupation of Poland, 230,000 Jews were forced to live in a ghetto in Lódz, Poland. By the end of 1939, the 4.3 square kilometer ghetto was occupied by an average of 3.5 people per room. In 1941, 25,000 additional people were brought to the ghetto to live. By October of 1940, Nazis had confined nearly 400,000 Jews in a 3.5 square mile area of Warsaw which normally housed about 160,000. The area was surrounded by a wall 10 feet high and was sealed off on November 15, 1940. Jews were forbidden to go outside the area on penalty of being shot on sight. No contact with the outside world was allowed.

Jews in the Ghetto, whatever their profession, were forced to engage in all sorts of menial tasks to support their families. Many worked for the Nazis, producing supplies needed either for the war front or for Germany. Many others worked as peddlers, selling whatever they could. It was an entirely miserable, hand-to-mouth existence.

Jews in the Ghetto, whatever their profession, were forced to engage in all sorts of menial tasks to support their families. Many worked for the Nazis, producing supplies needed either for the war front or for Germany. Many others worked as peddlers, selling whatever they could. It was an entirely miserable, hand-to-mouth existence.

Living conditions were terrible. Between 7 and 9 people lived in each room, so lack of privacy, bad sanitary conditions, disease and a high death toll all made life for the Jews simply appalling. The mortality rate amongst Jews in Warsaw before the war was about 350 a month. By June 1941, when supplies ran out, the rate reached between four to five thousand each month.

Living conditions were terrible. Between 7 and 9 people lived in each room, so lack of privacy, bad sanitary conditions, disease and a high death toll all made life for the Jews simply appalling. The mortality rate amongst Jews in Warsaw before the war was about 350 a month. By June 1941, when supplies ran out, the rate reached between four to five thousand each month.

Warsaw ghetto, 1941. Homeless children.

Before the war, estimations had suggested that a laborer required 2380 calories per day. The official ration actually received in the ghetto in January 1941 was 219 calories and in August 1941 it dropped two calories.

Before the war, estimations had suggested that a laborer required 2380 calories per day. The official ration actually received in the ghetto in January 1941 was 219 calories and in August 1941 it dropped two calories.

Food in the GhettosFood in the Ghettos

Food smuggling became one of the most important elements of the daily struggle for survival. Food was smuggled in by houses that backed on to the Ghetto, through holes in the fence and along the sewers. Concealment and bribing Nazis was also common. The heroes of smuggling were small children aged between 5 and 13 whose size and agility were suited to the task.

Food smuggling became one of the most important elements of the daily struggle for survival. Food was smuggled in by houses that backed on to the Ghetto, through holes in the fence and along the sewers. Concealment and bribing Nazis was also common. The heroes of smuggling were small children aged between 5 and 13 whose size and agility were suited to the task.

Children scale a wall to smuggle food into the ghetto. Conditions were so extreme that they engaged in this activity despite the proclamation issued by Dr. Ludwig Fischer (Governor of the Warsaw District from October, 1939 to January, 1945), imposing a death penalty on Jews who left the ghetto and on those who helped them.Photo credit: Meczenstwo Walka, Zaglada Zydów Polsce 1939-1945. Poland. No. 124.

Children scale a wall to smuggle food into the ghetto. Conditions were so extreme that they engaged in this activity despite the proclamation issued by Dr. Ludwig Fischer (Governor of the Warsaw District from October, 1939 to January, 1945), imposing a death penalty on Jews who left the ghetto and on those who helped them.Photo credit: Meczenstwo Walka, Zaglada Zydów Polsce 1939-1945. Poland. No. 124.

Going into hiding...Going into hiding...

Jewish families would slowly be moved out of the ghettos and brought to the concentration camps

They were told they were going to live in another community

Many people knew, however, that this was not the case

Jewish families would slowly be moved out of the ghettos and brought to the concentration camps

They were told they were going to live in another community

Many people knew, however, that this was not the case

Going into hiding...Going into hiding...

Many Jewish families had non-Jewish friends, employers or employees.

Some of these people were willing to hide their Jewish friends in their basements, attics, barns, etc.

However, there were strict penalties for people who did this...

Many Jewish families had non-Jewish friends, employers or employees.

Some of these people were willing to hide their Jewish friends in their basements, attics, barns, etc.

However, there were strict penalties for people who did this...

From US Holocaust Memorial Museum Website

From US Holocaust Memorial Museum WebsiteJews in hiding and their protectors

risked severe punishment if captured. In much of German-occupied eastern Europe, such activities were deemed capital offenses.

http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/hiddenchildren/difficult_choices/

Jews in hiding and their protectors risked severe punishment if captured. In much of German-occupied eastern Europe, such activities were deemed capital offenses.


Hiding JewsHiding Jews

This September 1942 German poster, issued during mass deportations to the Treblinka killing center, threatens death to anyone aiding Jews who fled the Warsaw ghetto.


This September 1942 German poster, issued during mass deportations to the Treblinka killing center, threatens death to anyone aiding Jews who fled the Warsaw ghetto.


TranslationTranslation

Death Penalty for Aid to Jews who have left the Jewish residential areas without permission

Recently, many Jews have left their designated Jewish residential areas. For the time, they are in the Warsaw District.


Death Penalty for Aid to Jews who have left the Jewish residential areas without permission

Recently, many Jews have left their designated Jewish residential areas. For the time, they are in the Warsaw District.


TranslationTranslation I remind you that according to the Third Decree of

the General Governor's concerning the residential restrictions in the General Government of 10/15/1941 not only Jews who have left their designated residential area will be punished with death, but the same penalty applies to anyone who knowingly provides refuge (a hiding place) to such Jews. This includes not only the providing of a night's lodging and food, but also any other aid, such as transporting them in vehicles of any sort, through the purchase of Jewish valuables, etc.

I remind you that according to the Third Decree of the General Governor's concerning the residential restrictions in the General Government of 10/15/1941 not only Jews who have left their designated residential area will be punished with death, but the same penalty applies to anyone who knowingly provides refuge (a hiding place) to such Jews. This includes not only the providing of a night's lodging and food, but also any other aid, such as transporting them in vehicles of any sort, through the purchase of Jewish valuables, etc.

TranslationTranslation

I ask the population of the Warsaw Destrict to immediately report any Jew who resides outside of a Jewish residential area to the nearest police station or gendarmerie post.

Whoever provided or currently provides aid to a Jew will not be prosecuted if it is reported to the nearest police station by 4 pm on 9/9/42.

Likewise, those who deliver valuables acquired from a Jew to 20 Niska Street or the nearest police or gendarme post by 4 pm on 9/9/42 will not be prosecuted.


I ask the population of the Warsaw Destrict to immediately report any Jew who resides outside of a Jewish residential area to the nearest police station or gendarmerie post.

Whoever provided or currently provides aid to a Jew will not be prosecuted if it is reported to the nearest police station by 4 pm on 9/9/42.

Likewise, those who deliver valuables acquired from a Jew to 20 Niska Street or the nearest police or gendarme post by 4 pm on 9/9/42 will not be prosecuted.


The problems were...why we couldn't stay in any place too long. The reasons were very obvious. Number one, in those parts of the country people know one another ... When a farmer comes to buy his supplies he used to buy for years and years the same amount of supplies. Suddenly he buys three times as much. So, it raises suspicion ... Problem number two, visibility. Uh, you always had to stay away from windows because somebody may see you through the window ... The people know one another to such an extent that they know exactly in which room you are heating your stove. Suddenly through a chimney that was not used for years, smoke comes out. So, these were all signs that some unusual activity is taking place in the house, and therefore to, uh, lower the level of suspicion we had to be continuously on the move.

The problems were...why we couldn't stay in any place too long. The reasons were very obvious. Number one, in those parts of the country people know one another ... When a farmer comes to buy his supplies he used to buy for years and years the same amount of supplies. Suddenly he buys three times as much. So, it raises suspicion ... Problem number two, visibility. Uh, you always had to stay away from windows because somebody may see you through the window ... The people know one another to such an extent that they know exactly in which room you are heating your stove. Suddenly through a chimney that was not used for years, smoke comes out. So, these were all signs that some unusual activity is taking place in the house, and therefore to, uh, lower the level of suspicion we had to be continuously on the move.

Discuss in small groups:

Would you take the risk of hiding your best friend, neighbour, employer, nanny, etc. knowing what the penalties are?

Discuss in small groups:

Would you take the risk of hiding your best friend, neighbour, employer, nanny, etc. knowing what the penalties are?

Hitler Youth Many Germans were forced to comply and

demonstrate support for the Nazi’s even if they did not agree with what the Nazi party did and stood for.

The punishment for a German in opposition with the Nazi Party was similar to the that inflicted upon Jews for simply being Jewish.

Hitler Youth To ensure the continuation of support for

the Nazi Party, all children between the ages of 10 and 18 were expected to be part of “Hitler Youth”

It was kind of like Nazi Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

Hitler Youth For Youth between ages of 10-18. Nazi rules and doctrines taught at weekly meetings. Boot camp – exercises, marching, harsh and cruel

treatment by older boys to younger boys to identify the strong.

Wore uniforms Girls learned skills to help with the war effort and train

them to be wives and mothers

Hitler Youth It was a stepping stone to become a future SS

Officer (Nazi Police) or member of the NSDAP (Nazi Party)

All German children must attend or the family would be blacklisted and considered in opposition to the Nazi Party

How do people begin to live normally after living How do people begin to live normally after living like this for years?like this for years?

Documents

Cover Design In small groups discuss the picture on the cover of the novel: -What might the symbol of the dominos represent? -What colours are used?