Questions and Answers
How does the setting in Isabel's story interact with the characters?
The setting interacts with the characters through elements like the weather, sunset, and the water they are sailing in, which can affect their journey.
What new conflict is on the horizon for Isabel and the crew?
A storm is coming as indicated by the red horizon, prompting them to take warning and cover.
Is the risk that Isabel and the others took worth it?
Yes, because they would have faced greater dangers if they hadn’t acted to help Isabel's father.
What conflicts do Mahmoud and his family face in his chapter?
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What happens with the other two ships that arrive in Cuba?
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What does Schiendick imply when he says, 'It's time you had your head shaved again'?
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What conflict does Josef struggle with at the end of the chapter?
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How is Isabel's flashback effective in the story?
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What figurative language does Isabel use to describe her life?
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How are the three settings similar to each other?
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What is the main conflict in Josef's story?
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What is the main conflict in Isabel's story?
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What is the main conflict in Mahmoud's story?
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What are the main ideas of the first three chapters?
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What are Ivan and his father building?
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What does Mahmoud's flashback reveal?
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What is one prediction you have about any of the storylines?
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Why do you think human beings join groups like the Hitler Youth?
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Why do people riot, like the people in Havana did?
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According to the book, how does Mahmoud deal with the violence around him?
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What did the Hitler Youth do with Josef?
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What do you think happened to Josef's father?
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What are the pros and cons of staying vs. leaving for Isabel's family?
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Why does the author include the line about no sirens or ambulances?
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How do the characters' plot points intersect?
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What is the overall mood of Josef's new setting?
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Why do you think the mother of the two girls stayed behind?
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Why do the sailors treat Josef and the passengers with respect?
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Describe the scene as Isabel's family brought their 'boat' to the beach.
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What conflicts may Isabel and her crew face now that they are on the water?
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Why did Mahmoud's family take directions from the soldiers?
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Why do you think people fight?
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What is one item Mahmoud's family will not be able to travel without?
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What possible theme emerges in Josef's story during chapter 13?
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What reaction does a crew member have when Hitler's image is removed?
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What does Josef overhear at the end of chapter 13?
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What do the people on Isabel's boat hope for when they get to the U.S.?
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What is the mood on Isabel's boat in chapter 14?
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Why does Mahmoud like to be invisible?
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What might the Turkish guards think as they watch the Syrians enter their country?
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What conflict does Josef face when he goes below deck?
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What does the song symbolize to the crew?
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What has motivated Lito to stay in Cuba?
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What is clave and why is it important to Isabel?
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Summarize Mahmoud's flashback. How is it effective?
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How are all three characters' conflicts similar at this point in the story?
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Why does Schiendick want the deceased body covered with the Nazi flag?
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What does Aaron Landau's actions in this chapter reveal about his experiences?
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Do you sympathize more with Josef's father after this chapter?
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How does the author build suspense in Isabel's chapter?
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What motivates Isabel to jump into the ocean to save Senor Castillo?
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How do we see exploitation in Mahmoud's chapter?
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How does Mahmoud make himself 'visible' in this chapter?
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What is the next part of Mahmoud's family's journey?
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What is Aaron Landau's main conflict?
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Do you believe what Josef did to his father is right or wrong?
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Study Notes
Setting Similarities
- All three settings reflect difficult and oppressive living conditions for children.
- Each child faces a looming threat to themselves and their families.
Josef's Conflict
- Main conflict arises when Nazis raid Josef's home and arrest his father.
- This represents a character vs. society conflict stemming from the actions of the Nazi regime.
Isabel's Conflict
- Isabel faces hunger and societal collapse, illustrated by people resorting to eating zoo animals.
- Her kindness is shown through sharing food, highlighting her empathy despite dire circumstances.
Mahmoud's Conflict
- Mahmoud struggles with the dangers of war, including missile strikes and the need for invisibility to avoid violence.
- His attempts to protect friends reveal the deep fear and trauma of living in a war zone.
Main Ideas of Initial Chapters
- Each child's story presents them as vulnerable victims facing significant fears about their families' safety.
Ivan and Father's Boat
- Building a boat under the guise of a dog house foreshadows their plan to escape.
Mahmoud's Flashback
- Reveals his friend Khalid's bullying, emphasizing Mahmoud's fear of violence and his desire to remain hidden.
Predictions
- Josef's family may struggle significantly without their father, highlighting the difficulties of single-parent care under oppressive regimes.
Human Behavior in Groups
- People join groups like the Hitler Youth for security, despite disagreement, often due to fear of persecution.
- Historical analogs include law enforcement actions against protestors.
Rioting in Havana
- The motivations for rioting include a quest for freedom and addressing grievances against authority.
- Opinions vary on the morality of riots based on context—support for food shortages is more justifiable.
Coping with Violence
- Mahmoud copes by avoiding interactions and adopting a survival mindset.
- His family members exhibit varied coping mechanisms, from avoidance to caregiving.
Interaction with Hitler Youth
- Josef experiences reprimand from Hitler Youth, illustrating the pressures of conformity and fear within oppressive societies.
Josef's Father's Behavior
- Aaron Landau's deterioration may stem from daily fears and trauma experienced in concentration camps.
Decision to Leave Cuba
- Pros of leaving include better living conditions, while cons involve potential risks and dangers of the journey.
Implications of Emergency Situations
- The absence of emergency services in Mahmoud's story underscores a sense of hopelessness and neglect by authorities.
Current Plot State
- All children are embarking on journeys to escape their troubling environments.
Mood of Josef's New Setting
- The cheerful and carefree atmosphere contrasts with the earlier oppressive settings they escaped.
Parental Sacrifice
- The mother of the two girls letting them go hints at desperate protective instincts or unspoken tragedies.
Treatment by Sailors
- Sailors treat Josef's family with respect, contrasting Nazi attitudes due to shared humanity aboard a vessel without Nazi enforcement.
Isabel and Ivan's Departure
- The scene is a mix of excitement and apprehension, highlighting the dramatic stakes of their escape.
Conflicts at Sea
- Isabel's group faces dangers such as detection by authorities and natural threats, highlighting the uncertainty of their journey.
Escape from Soldiers
- Mahmoud's family complies with soldiers out of fear of violence, revealing the harsh realities migrants face in conflict zones.
Motivations for Fighting
- Motivations for conflict include personal grievances, societal injustice, and the desire for revenge, reflecting complex human emotions.
Important Belongings
- Mahmoud's family likely relies on significant items for emotional and practical support during their perilous journey.
Emerging Themes in Josef's Story
- Themes of responsibility and maturity resonate as Josef transitions towards independence away from his father's shadow.
Reactions to Nazi Symbolism
- Reactions to the removal of Nazi imagery foreshadow potential discord aboard the ship.
Overhearing Tensions
- Josef's overheard conversation suggests uncertainty about their journey, foreshadowing potential distress.
Hopes for a New Life
- Aspirations for freedom and improved living conditions reflect the struggles faced by Cuban families and their desires for a better future.
Mood on Isabel's Boat
- Lighthearted moments amid hardship showcase resilience and character relationships on their journey.
Invisibility as Safety
- Mahmoud prefers invisibility as a protective mechanism against danger, illustrating trauma's effects on personal security.
Observations of Turkish Guards
- Turkish guards may feel apprehensive and judgmental towards incoming migrants, indicative of broader societal tensions.
Josef's Below Deck Experience
- Encountering supporters of Nazi ideologies reinforces his feelings of vulnerability and hatred towards oppression.
Symbolism of Song
- Songs evoke national unity for the crew but heighten feelings of anger and helplessness for Josef, reflecting diverging perspectives.
Lito's Journey Decision
- Lito's departure is motivated by familial bonds and fear of isolation, reflecting his conflicting feelings about leaving home.
Importance of Clave
- Clave represents cultural identity and continuity for Isabel and Lito, symbolizing their connection to Cuban heritage.
Mahmoud's Flashback Significance
- Flashbacks showcase the contrast between Waleed's former joy and his current despondency, highlighting trauma's deep impact.
Character Conflicts
- All three protagonists face departures from their homelands and the barriers tied to seeking a brighter future.
Shroud of Nazi Flag
- Shroud practices symbolize adherence to German law and possibly circulate propaganda about loyalty to the regime.
Aaron Landau's Transformation
- Experiences in Dachau deeply affect Aaron, motivating him to support the living while reflecting on mortality.
Perceptions of Josef's Father
- Josef's feelings towards his father are complex; disappointment coexists with understanding the fear that drives parental behavior.
Suspense Building Techniques
- The author employs dramatic incidents, like loss and immediate danger, to heighten the stakes in Isabel's narrative.
Isabel's River Heroism
- Isabel's motivations for bravery stem from personal history, underscoring the weight of memory in her heroic actions.
Exploitation in Mahmoud's Narrative
- The chapter addresses exploitation through systemic violence against refugees, showcasing moral wrongs associated with such practices.
Mahmoud's Visibility
- Mahmoud's actions towards visibility and the resulting consequences reflect his need for connection and safety amidst turmoil.
Predicting Future Conflicts
- Ongoing journeys lead to unpredictable trials, heightening tensions and fears among Mahmoud's group.
Cuban Ship Experiences
- Disparities in treatment between ships in Cuba hint at bureaucratic whims and underlying biases in immigration practices.### Schiendick's Implications
- Schiendick's statement about shaving one's head is a derogatory reference to the dehumanization of Jewish people during the Holocaust.
- The phrase conveys his hatred towards Jews, suggesting a desire to send them to concentration camps.
- Schiendick expresses animosity towards Josef's family due to his father's non-compliance with German laws.
Josef's Inner Conflict
- At the chapter's conclusion, Josef feels guilt and responsibility for his father's fate after providing false reassurance.
- He struggles with the moral dilemma of lying to his father to alleviate fear versus revealing the harsh truth.
- Josef's decision to protect his father with a lie exacerbated his father's fear instead of providing genuine comfort.
Isabel's Flashback
- Isabel recalls her grandmother drowning, which emotionally parallels her current experience with Senor Castillo’s perilous situation.
- This flashback emphasizes the trauma Isabel experienced and her deep-seated fears regarding loss and helplessness.
- Isabel's motivation to save Senor Castillo stems from a desire to prevent another personal tragedy reminiscent of her grandmother's death.
Isabel's Figurative Language
- Isabel likens her life to a symphony, reflecting the complex and varied nature of her experiences.
- This metaphor highlights the uniqueness of each event in her life, indicating a mixture of emotions and challenges.
- The use of figurative language effectively portrays her journey as a blend of chaotic elements that create a cohesive story.
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Description
This study guide covers key themes, conflicts, and settings in chapters 1-27 of the book 'Refugee.' It provides thought-provoking questions that support critical analysis of the characters' experiences during challenging times. Use this guide to explore the interconnected stories of Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud.