Refugee Stories: Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud

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Questions and Answers

What does the Nazi flag symbolize in Josef's story?

Fear, hatred, oppression

When and where did Josef's story begin?

1938 Germany

What is the name of Cuba's dictator?

Fidel Castro

What is the name of the uprisings that spread through the Middle East in the 2010s?

Arab Spring Signup and view all the answers

What does Josef try to buy on the train to Hamburg?

Newspaper & candy Signup and view all the answers

What musical instrument does Isabel play?

Trumpet Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Mahmoud's apartment building in Aleppo?

It's hit by a bomb Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the ship Josef's family is traveling on?

MS St. Louis Signup and view all the answers

What does Isabel trade her trumpet for?

Gasoline Signup and view all the answers

Where does Mahmoud's family ultimately plan to go?

Germany Signup and view all the answers

Where does Isabel's family plan to go?

America; El Norte Signup and view all the answers

What celebration does Josef have on the boat?

Bar mitzvah Signup and view all the answers

When & where does Isabel's story begin?

1994; outside of Havana, Cuba Signup and view all the answers

When & where does Mahmoud's story begin?

2015 Aleppo, Syria Signup and view all the answers

What laws did Germany pass that made Jewish people second-class citizens?

Nuremberg Laws Signup and view all the answers

Why does Josef's boat stop when they're at sea?

For an elderly passenger's funeral Signup and view all the answers

What almost destroys Isabel's boat?

A huge tanker Signup and view all the answers

What do the boat smugglers keep telling Mahmoud's family?

Tomorrow Signup and view all the answers

What mood does this passage portray?

Resentful, Bitter, Indignant Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is Alan Gratz using when Aaron Landau remembers his time at Dachau?

Flashback Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the Landau cabin on the MS St. Louis?

It's ransacked by Schiendick Signup and view all the answers

How has Josef changed from the beginning of the novel until now?

He has matured greatly, struggling to keep his family together. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what the iPhone symbolizes in Mahmoud's story.

Hope and life; provides maps and communication. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the 'wet foot, dry foot' policy the U.S. had in the 1990s for Cubans.

If Cubans land on U.S. soil, they can stay; if found at sea, they return to Cuba. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mahmoud's father cope with the conflicts they all face?

Makes jokes; shows positivity and a deep care for his family. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Schiendick want the deceased body covered with the Nazi flag?

Claims it's Nazi Germany law; may assert power and embarrass Jewish people. Signup and view all the answers

What does Josef do to his father to help him seem healthy?

Slaps him & tells him he'll be sent back to Dachau if he doesn't appear healthy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Schiendick really mean when he says to Josef's dad, 'It's time you had your head shaved again'?

Implies that Josef's dad should be a prisoner again in the concentration camps. Signup and view all the answers

What sacrifice do Mahmoud and his mother make when trying to swim in the ocean after their raft crashes?

They give Hana to a stranger on a small boat. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates Aaron to jump overboard?

To escape the Nazis and his fear; hopes to die but is rescued. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Aaron after he jumps from the boat?

He is rescued by a Cuban police officer who jumps in after him. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Aaron and the police officer get shot at while in the water?

Passengers are trying to scare away the shark(s) closing in on them. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about Isabel's weakening boat in chapter 32?

The image of Fidel Castro; the strong part of the boat reminds them of their situation. Signup and view all the answers

What do the passengers on Isabel's boat decide to do to help keep their boat afloat?

Have 1-2 people swim alongside the boat to lessen the weight. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mahmoud do so he would be visible to the boat passing by while they float in the sea at night?

He lights the screen up on the bagged cell phone. Signup and view all the answers

Who rescues Mahmoud and his mother from the sea?

The Greek Coast Guard. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mahmoud's father react when he learns Hana is not with Mahmoud and his mother?

He tells Mahmoud he knows she's alive somewhere and it's because of Mahmoud. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mahmoud see on the Greek island when he arrives there?

Piles of life vests & dead bodies. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Josef's Story

Represents the fear and oppression faced by Jewish people during Nazi Germany, symbolized by the Nazi flag.
Begins in 1938 Germany with the implementation of the Nuremberg Laws, making Jews second-class citizens.
Travels on the MS St. Louis with his family, where he celebrates his bar mitzvah.
Struggles to maintain his family’s morale and sanity under dire circumstances, showcasing his maturity transition throughout the narrative.

Isabel's Story

Set in 1994, outside Havana, Cuba, during the government regime of Fidel Castro.
Isabel plays the trumpet and even trades it for gasoline while trying to escape to America (El Norte).
Her boat faces dangers, including a near collision with a huge tanker and the necessity to lighten their load by having passengers swim alongside.
Irony exists in her weakening boat, symbolizing the very regime creating their struggles.

Mahmoud's Story

Begins in 2015 Aleppo, Syria, where his family deals with the devastation of war.
His apartment building is bombed, highlighting the harsh realities of conflict.
They aim to reach Germany, where Mahmoud's family hopes for safety and stability.
Utilizes an iPhone as a vital tool for survival, providing hope through communication and mapping routes.

Common Themes

Each character faces exceptional struggles characterized by displacement, loss, and the pursuit of safety.
The symbol of hope manifests in various forms: iPhones, bar mitzvahs, and familial bonds.
Sacrifices made by characters, such as giving away loved ones for safety, underline the desperation driven by their circumstances.

Key Plot Points

Josef's father is coerced into appearing healthy to avoid a return to Dachau, demonstrating the precarious nature of their existence.
Schiendick's cruelty is highlighted as he covers a body with a Nazi flag, illustrating his desire to assert power over Josef's family.
The recurring theme of resilience surfaces through Mahmoud's father coping with challenges by maintaining humor for family morale.

Life and Death Struggles

Both Aaron and Mahmoud face critical moments where escape becomes a dire need. Aaron jumps overboard to escape Nazis, while Mahmoud uses his phone to signal for help.
Rescue efforts are crucial; Mahmoud is ultimately saved by the Greek Coast Guard, while Aaron is aided by a Cuban officer amidst gunfire aimed warding off sharks.

Symbolism and Irony

Objects like the iPhone and the trumpet serve as symbols of identity, hope, and sacrifice.
Irony plays a prominent role, especially in the juxtaposition of Isabel's boat situation against Castro’s image, reminding them of their painful reality while seeking freedom.

Reflections on Humanity

Characters like Mahmoud and Josef deeply reflect on familial bonds and the impact of war on personal identity and community.
Through flashbacks, Aaron recounts harrowing experiences, enriching the narrative with historical context and personal tragedy.

Decision and Consequences

Decisions made by characters are critical; Mahmoud's sacrifice and the desperate actions of Josef's family reveal their complex struggles for survival.
The "wet foot, dry foot" policy illustrates the harsh realities faced by Cubans seeking refuge, dictating their fates depending on their physical location.

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Description

Explore the powerful narratives of Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud as they navigate through their harrowing experiences amid persecution and hardships. This quiz delves into the historical contexts of Jewish oppression in Nazi Germany, the struggles in Cuba under Fidel Castro, and the plight of Syrian refugees. Test your knowledge on these compelling stories of resilience and bravery.