Podcast
Questions and Answers
What kind of letters does Gerda get from Abek?
What kind of letters does Gerda get from Abek?
romantic feelings
Why does Gerda think her father is dead?
Why does Gerda think her father is dead?
She gets a letter with weak handwriting
What happens to Gerda after Christmas?
What happens to Gerda after Christmas?
she is very ill
Why does Frau Kugler make a very sick Gerda go to work one day?
Why does Frau Kugler make a very sick Gerda go to work one day?
What happens to Abek's family?
What happens to Abek's family?
What do some Jewish parents do to avoid Auschwitz?
What do some Jewish parents do to avoid Auschwitz?
Why does Gerda agree to marry Abek if she does not love him?
Why does Gerda agree to marry Abek if she does not love him?
What do the girls pray for every night?
What do the girls pray for every night?
While the Germans lose ground on the Eastern Front, what privileges do the women lose?
While the Germans lose ground on the Eastern Front, what privileges do the women lose?
What were the years of the war?
What were the years of the war?
At the end of Chapter 6, what is Gerda informed of?
At the end of Chapter 6, what is Gerda informed of?
How do Gerda and Isle travel to Marzdorf?
How do Gerda and Isle travel to Marzdorf?
As they arrive at the new camp, an intimidating woman named Frau Aufsicht holds what?
As they arrive at the new camp, an intimidating woman named Frau Aufsicht holds what?
What does Frau Aufsicht make several girls do for her entertainment?
What does Frau Aufsicht make several girls do for her entertainment?
Luckily for Gerda and Ilse, they are selected to go to what new camp?
Luckily for Gerda and Ilse, they are selected to go to what new camp?
To Gerda's surprise and joy, who is at the new camp?
To Gerda's surprise and joy, who is at the new camp?
How does Gerda spend her 'free time' at the new camp?
How does Gerda spend her 'free time' at the new camp?
Once girls begin losing their monthly periods, what does Gerda long for?
Once girls begin losing their monthly periods, what does Gerda long for?
What awful rumors are being spread around the camp?
What awful rumors are being spread around the camp?
How is Abek allowed to see Gerda?
How is Abek allowed to see Gerda?
How does Abek look when Gerda is finally allowed to see him?
How does Abek look when Gerda is finally allowed to see him?
Why is Abek hurt by Gerda's hug?
Why is Abek hurt by Gerda's hug?
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Study Notes
Letters and Relationships
- Gerda receives romantic letters from Abek, indicating his strong feelings for her.
- A letter with weak handwriting leads Gerda to believe her father is dead.
Illness and Survival
- After Christmas, Gerda falls ill, highlighting the toll of her circumstances.
- Frau Kugler pressures Gerda to work, fearing that sick individuals may be sent away.
Family and Escape
- Abek's family escapes to America, illustrating the various fates of families during this period.
- Some Jewish parents take the tragic step of poisoning themselves to evade capture and deportation.
Marriage and Hope
- Although Gerda does not love Abek, she considers marrying him to alleviate his emotional pain.
- Each night, the girls pray for their lives to return to normal, reflecting their yearning for stability.
Changing Circumstances
- As the Germans struggle on the Eastern Front, the women lose privileges like sending mail.
- The war years spanned from 1939 to 1945, marking a significant historical context.
Camp Conditions
- Gerda learns she will be leaving the current camp, raising hopes for a change.
- She and Ilse are transported to Marzdorf in a truck, signifying the harsh realities of their journey.
New Encounters
- Upon arrival at the new camp, they encounter Frau Aufsicht, who wields a whip, representing the oppressive authority.
- Frau Aufsicht cruelly makes girls pull a wagon and whips them for her entertainment.
New Camp Life
- Gerda and Ilse are fortunate to be moved to the camp of Landeshut, providing a flicker of hope.
- To Gerda's delight, friends Juse and Litzi are also at the new camp, fostering a sense of community.
Struggles and Fears
- Gerda and other girls fill their "free time" by playing board games, a small escape from their grim reality.
- The loss of monthly periods among the girls leads Gerda to yearn for a child of her own, expressing her longing for a future.
Rumors and Reality
- Disturbing rumors circulate about girls being sterilized, reflecting the harrowing experiences faced by many.
- Abek finds a way to see Gerda by injuring himself, emphasizing their desperate connection amid suffering.
Lasting Impressions
- When Gerda finally sees Abek, he appears beaten and hungry, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of their circumstances.
- Abek feels hurt by Gerda's hug, interpreting it as a lack of desire to see him, revealing the complexities of their relationship under duress.
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