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?
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What does Josef try to buy on the train to Hamburg?
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What musical instrument does Isabel play?
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What happens to Mahmoud's apartment building in Aleppo?
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What is the name of the ship Josef's family is traveling on?
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What does Isabel trade her trumpet for?
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Where does Mahmoud's family ultimately plan to go?
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Where does Isabel's family plan to go?
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What celebration does Josef have on the boat?
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When & where does Isabel's story begin?
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When & where does Mahmoud's story begin?
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What laws did Germany pass that made Jewish people second-class citizens?
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Why does Josef's boat stop when they're at sea?
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What almost destroys Isabel's boat?
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What do the boat smugglers keep telling Mahmoud's family?
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What mood does this passage portray?
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What literary device is Alan Gratz using when Aaron Landau remembers his time at Dachau?
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What happens to the Landau cabin on the MS St. Louis?
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How has Josef changed from the beginning of the novel until now?
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Describe what the iPhone symbolizes in Mahmoud's story.
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Explain the 'wet foot, dry foot' policy the U.S. had in the 1990s for Cubans.
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How does Mahmoud's father cope with the conflicts they all face?
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Why does Schiendick want the deceased body covered with the Nazi flag?
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What does Josef do to his father to help him seem healthy?
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What does Schiendick really mean when he says to Josef's dad, 'It's time you had your head shaved again'?
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What sacrifice do Mahmoud and his mother make when trying to swim in the ocean after their raft crashes?
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What motivates Aaron to jump overboard?
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What happens to Aaron after he jumps from the boat?
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Why do Aaron and the police officer get shot at while in the water?
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What is ironic about Isabel's weakening boat in chapter 32?
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What do the passengers on Isabel's boat decide to do to help keep their boat afloat?
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What does Mahmoud do so he would be visible to the boat passing by while they float in the sea at night?
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Who rescues Mahmoud and his mother from the sea?
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How does Mahmoud's father react when he learns Hana is not with Mahmoud and his mother?
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What does Mahmoud see on the Greek island when he arrives there?
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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.