Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the setting of the story?
What is the setting of the story?
The setting is a village in Czechoslovakia near the Austrian border, on Christmas night in 1957.
Why are the people in Czechoslovakia not free to go to Austria?
Why are the people in Czechoslovakia not free to go to Austria?
The border guards watch day and night and carry guns, preventing the people from freely crossing the border.
Who is the man and woman talking in the house?
Who is the man and woman talking in the house?
The man and woman talking in the house are not specifically named in the text.
What is the woman afraid of?
What is the woman afraid of?
Signup and view all the answers
What is significant about the night in the story?
What is significant about the night in the story?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Setting
- The story takes place in 1948 in Czechoslovakia, a time of political tension and the onset of communist rule.
- The story specifically describes the landscape and the oppressive atmosphere - "gray, dreary" town on the border to Austria.
Restrictions and Fear
- Czechoslovakia was under communist rule, and citizens couldn't freely cross the border to Austria due to strict controls and political barriers.
- The woman in the story is afraid of the border guards and the consequences of being caught trying to cross.
Characters
- The man and woman talking in the house are a couple hoping to escape to Austria for their safety.
- The conversation reveals their deep anxieties about being discovered and the constant surveillance they are under.
Night's Significance
- The night is a time of heightened risk for the citizens trying to escape.
- Darkness provides cover, but also amplifies fear and risk as they attempt their journey.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Joyce Hannam's "Christmas in Prague" with this quiz. Delve into the setting of Czechoslovakia in 1957, the snowy village, and the tense atmosphere near the Austrian border.