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Questions and Answers
What type of novel is The Nightingale?
What type of novel is The Nightingale?
- Historical Fiction (correct)
- Biography
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
How is Isabelle told to separate the cards with names on them when she begins clerical work for the Germans?
How is Isabelle told to separate the cards with names on them when she begins clerical work for the Germans?
She is told to separate the names of foreign-born Jews from those born in France.
Who comes to Vianne to warn her to hide her friend in Chapter 22?
Who comes to Vianne to warn her to hide her friend in Chapter 22?
Beck
What illness does Vianne say her baby may have when the Germans come to her home in Chapter 27?
What illness does Vianne say her baby may have when the Germans come to her home in Chapter 27?
For how long must Isabelle hold out under questioning to allow her friends to protect themselves in Chapter 33?
For how long must Isabelle hold out under questioning to allow her friends to protect themselves in Chapter 33?
Who hits Beck over the head with a shovel in Chapter 25?
Who hits Beck over the head with a shovel in Chapter 25?
Whose card does Isabelle slip up her sleeve in Chapter 21?
Whose card does Isabelle slip up her sleeve in Chapter 21?
Whom does Vianne go to for papers for the Jewish orphan in Chapter 30?
Whom does Vianne go to for papers for the Jewish orphan in Chapter 30?
What happens to Daniel in Chapter 37?
What happens to Daniel in Chapter 37?
What does the brown and white check ribbon on the apple tree signify?
What does the brown and white check ribbon on the apple tree signify?
How long after Antoine's return does Vianne tell him she is pregnant?
How long after Antoine's return does Vianne tell him she is pregnant?
What is Beck holding in his hand at the train station in Chapter 23?
What is Beck holding in his hand at the train station in Chapter 23?
What is Isabelle's MI-9 contact's codename from the British Intelligence in Chapter 21?
What is Isabelle's MI-9 contact's codename from the British Intelligence in Chapter 21?
How does Isabelle escape Le Jardin in Chapter 25?
How does Isabelle escape Le Jardin in Chapter 25?
What is the false name that Ari is given after Vianne takes him?
What is the false name that Ari is given after Vianne takes him?
How many airmen have Isabelle now brought across the Pyrenees in Chapter 21?
How many airmen have Isabelle now brought across the Pyrenees in Chapter 21?
Why are the streets barricaded when Vianne is going home from the rations line in Chapter 29?
Why are the streets barricaded when Vianne is going home from the rations line in Chapter 29?
How did Sophie die, according to the narrative in Chapter 39?
How did Sophie die, according to the narrative in Chapter 39?
Name the WWII hero that Ian Fleming used as inspiration for his novel James Bond aka 007?
Name the WWII hero that Ian Fleming used as inspiration for his novel James Bond aka 007?
To whom does Vianne take the orphan boy to in Chapter 29?
To whom does Vianne take the orphan boy to in Chapter 29?
For how long have the Germans occupied France in Chapter 32?
For how long have the Germans occupied France in Chapter 32?
Who is the German who will come live with Vianne after Beck's disappearance?
Who is the German who will come live with Vianne after Beck's disappearance?
What happens to the American airman who didn't follow Isabelle's orders on the journey across the Pyrenees in Chapter 21?
What happens to the American airman who didn't follow Isabelle's orders on the journey across the Pyrenees in Chapter 21?
How many orphans' names are on the list that Vianne hands over in Chapter 37?
How many orphans' names are on the list that Vianne hands over in Chapter 37?
What is Isabelle's prison ID number?
What is Isabelle's prison ID number?
When Isabelle is captured and questioned, how does she know they do not know that she is the Nightingale?
When Isabelle is captured and questioned, how does she know they do not know that she is the Nightingale?
Why does Vianne create two records for each child she hides at the orphanage?
Why does Vianne create two records for each child she hides at the orphanage?
What does Rachel mean when she asks Vianne 'How?' before going to hide in the cellar?
What does Rachel mean when she asks Vianne 'How?' before going to hide in the cellar?
Why does Vianne feel so guilty about pushing Beck away before he can kiss her?
Why does Vianne feel so guilty about pushing Beck away before he can kiss her?
What is the secret that Vianne decides to keep from her son in Chapters 37-39?
What is the secret that Vianne decides to keep from her son in Chapters 37-39?
What reason does Vianne give Sophie for needing to save Helene Ruelle's son?
What reason does Vianne give Sophie for needing to save Helene Ruelle's son?
Who does the elderly woman believe people will want to see at the reunion in France?
Who does the elderly woman believe people will want to see at the reunion in France?
How does Vianne feel after killing Beck?
How does Vianne feel after killing Beck?
What does Vianne believe would be worse than risking Sophie's life?
What does Vianne believe would be worse than risking Sophie's life?
After the war, why does Vianne say that Daniel is now truly Sophie's brother?
After the war, why does Vianne say that Daniel is now truly Sophie's brother?
Why do the men who arrive to take Ari from Vianne feel he should be with his relatives even though Vianne promised Rachel she would care for him?
Why do the men who arrive to take Ari from Vianne feel he should be with his relatives even though Vianne promised Rachel she would care for him?
Why does Beck speak harshly to Vianne after the airman goes down near Carriveau?
Why does Beck speak harshly to Vianne after the airman goes down near Carriveau?
What does Henri mean when he talks about a 'friend' who survived a 'German holiday' in the note he leaves with Madame Babineau for Isabelle?
What does Henri mean when he talks about a 'friend' who survived a 'German holiday' in the note he leaves with Madame Babineau for Isabelle?
What is Vianne's impression of her father when he arrives at her door before going to rescue Isabelle?
What is Vianne's impression of her father when he arrives at her door before going to rescue Isabelle?
Why does Vianne agree to have sex with Von Richter?
Why does Vianne agree to have sex with Von Richter?
What does Beck give Sophie when she was sick in Chapter 21?
What does Beck give Sophie when she was sick in Chapter 21?
Who tells Isabelle to slow down because the Germans are looking for the Nightingale in Chapter 21?
Who tells Isabelle to slow down because the Germans are looking for the Nightingale in Chapter 21?
Why does Isabelle dress in brown clothing when she goes to work?
Why does Isabelle dress in brown clothing when she goes to work?
Who helps Rachel make a plan to escape in Chapter 22?
Who helps Rachel make a plan to escape in Chapter 22?
What happens after Sara gets shot?
What happens after Sara gets shot?
Where does Vianne bury Sara?
Where does Vianne bury Sara?
Where does Rachel go in Chapter 23?
Where does Rachel go in Chapter 23?
What does the lace on the apple tree represent?
What does the lace on the apple tree represent?
What is Ari's new name?
What is Ari's new name?
What does Isabelle witness in Chapter 25?
What does Isabelle witness in Chapter 25?
Where does Isabelle hide the American pilot in Chapter 25?
Where does Isabelle hide the American pilot in Chapter 25?
What does Vianne feel when she finds out that Isabelle has hidden a pilot in her barn cellar?
What does Vianne feel when she finds out that Isabelle has hidden a pilot in her barn cellar?
What happens to Isabelle when Vianne hits Beck in the head?
What happens to Isabelle when Vianne hits Beck in the head?
What does Vianne and Gaetan discuss while traveling to the border?
What does Vianne and Gaetan discuss while traveling to the border?
What does Isabelle dream about when she is in the coffin?
What does Isabelle dream about when she is in the coffin?
What does Vianne tell Sophie and Ari to do if she ever gets taken away?
What does Vianne tell Sophie and Ari to do if she ever gets taken away?
What does Isabelle believe to be the only sane thing in war?
What does Isabelle believe to be the only sane thing in war?
Where is Von Richter's bedroom in Le Jardin?
Where is Von Richter's bedroom in Le Jardin?
What does Vianne tell Yvette who Daniel is in Chapter 29?
What does Vianne tell Yvette who Daniel is in Chapter 29?
What does the black ribbon symbolize?
What does the black ribbon symbolize?
What does Vianne do about the child that a woman begs her to take in Chapter 29?
What does Vianne do about the child that a woman begs her to take in Chapter 29?
What does Vianne tell Von Richter about who the boy is?
What does Vianne tell Von Richter about who the boy is?
Who does Vianne take the boy to?
Who does Vianne take the boy to?
What can Mother Superior get for the boy?
What can Mother Superior get for the boy?
What is Vianne's position in the resistance?
What is Vianne's position in the resistance?
What is Vianne's cover-up job in Chapter 29?
What is Vianne's cover-up job in Chapter 29?
Where do Gaetan and Isabelle go in Chapter 30?
Where do Gaetan and Isabelle go in Chapter 30?
What are the Germans trying to take over in Chapter 30?
What are the Germans trying to take over in Chapter 30?
What group does Gaetan join in Chapter 30?
What group does Gaetan join in Chapter 30?
Where does Henri hide the identity papers for Vianne?
Where does Henri hide the identity papers for Vianne?
What is the elderly woman dying of in Chapter 31?
What is the elderly woman dying of in Chapter 31?
What does Von Richter tell Vianne in front of her classroom in Chapter 32?
What does Von Richter tell Vianne in front of her classroom in Chapter 32?
What does Vianne reveal to Von Richter is her weakness in Chapter 32?
What does Vianne reveal to Von Richter is her weakness in Chapter 32?
Where is Isabelle when she gets arrested?
Where is Isabelle when she gets arrested?
Who is Isabelle being held captive by?
Who is Isabelle being held captive by?
What is hanging from every streetlamp in Carriveau in Chapter 33?
What is hanging from every streetlamp in Carriveau in Chapter 33?
What does Julien tell Vianne he is going to do in Chapter 33?
What does Julien tell Vianne he is going to do in Chapter 33?
Why does Von Richter rape her?
Why does Von Richter rape her?
Where do the Germans shoot Julien?
Where do the Germans shoot Julien?
Where does Vianne see her father's body in Chapter 34?
Where does Vianne see her father's body in Chapter 34?
Where is Isabelle being held?
Where is Isabelle being held?
Who does Isabelle see on the train to the concentration camp?
Who does Isabelle see on the train to the concentration camp?
What name does Madame Babineau tell Isabelle to call her?
What name does Madame Babineau tell Isabelle to call her?
Why is Von Richter getting meaner and angrier in Chapter 35?
Why is Von Richter getting meaner and angrier in Chapter 35?
Where does Vianne realize she is pregnant?
Where does Vianne realize she is pregnant?
What does Von Richter tell Vianne?
What does Von Richter tell Vianne?
What does Vianne feel when she sees Antoine?
What does Vianne feel when she sees Antoine?
What do Vianne and Sophie realize about Antoine in Chapter 35?
What do Vianne and Sophie realize about Antoine in Chapter 35?
What did Antoine think when the Germans were beating him?
What did Antoine think when the Germans were beating him?
What are Isabelle and Micheline chosen to do at the concentration camp?
What are Isabelle and Micheline chosen to do at the concentration camp?
What does Isabelle do at road crew?
What does Isabelle do at road crew?
What sickness does Isabelle get in the concentration camp?
What sickness does Isabelle get in the concentration camp?
How long do Isabelle and Micheline walk to reach the train to go to the other camp?
How long do Isabelle and Micheline walk to reach the train to go to the other camp?
What happens to Henri in Chapter 36?
What happens to Henri in Chapter 36?
What happens to Paul and Gaetan?
What happens to Paul and Gaetan?
In chapter 37, what do people think Vianne is when she hands them the list of Jewish children to reunite with their parents?
In chapter 37, what do people think Vianne is when she hands them the list of Jewish children to reunite with their parents?
When Vianne is in Paris after the war looking for her sister and friends, what does she learn?
When Vianne is in Paris after the war looking for her sister and friends, what does she learn?
After the war, what is the surprise that Antoine takes Vianne to?
After the war, what is the surprise that Antoine takes Vianne to?
How many men come looking for Ari in Chapter 37?
How many men come looking for Ari in Chapter 37?
What does Sophie give Ari before he leaves for America?
What does Sophie give Ari before he leaves for America?
Study Notes
The Nightingale Overview
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Central themes include the impacts of war, resistance, and the struggle for survival.
Chapters 20-39 Key Events
- Isabelle is instructed to separate non-French Jews from French Jews while working for the Germans.
- Vianne receives a warning from Beck about the increasing dangers and is advised to hide friends.
- Vianne’s baby is suspected to have tuberculosis amidst German encroachment.
- Under duress, Isabelle must withstand interrogation for two days to protect fellow resistors.
- Vianne strikes Beck with a shovel, revealing her desperate actions for survival.
- Isabelle tucks Paul Levy’s card for protection and a false identity.
- The plight of Jewish orphans intensifies; Vianne seeks Henri to help secure necessary papers.
Character Developments
- Vianne faces moral dilemmas regarding hiding Jews, symbolizing her deepening resistance.
- Vianne and Isabelle's relationship is tested through actions of kindness and betrayal under extreme pressures.
- Beck evolves from an ally to an antagonistic force affecting Vianne's decisions.
- The ramifications of war lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and resistance within the main characters.
Motifs and Symbols
- The brown and white check ribbon on the apple tree represents Julien, connecting Vianne to her lost child.
- The black ribbon symbolizes Beck and the anguish of choices made.
- The lace on the apple tree signifies Rachel, evoking memories of those lost in conflict.
War and Resistance
- The occupation of France lasts 18 months, with increasingly harsh realities depicted, such as public executions.
- Vianne becomes a leading figure in the resistance, operating covertly to save Jewish children.
- Isabelle’s heroic acts bring her into direct conflict with the Gestapo, highlighting her bravery.
Conclusion and Aftermath
- Vianne discovers the tragic fates of family members post-war, adding layers of grief and resilience.
- The narrative resolves with the realization of shared grief and survival amongst survivors in a shattered world.
- The connection between Daniel and Sophie illuminates themes of family and continuity amid loss.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key events and character developments in chapters 20 to 39 of 'The Nightingale'. This historical fiction novel explores themes of war, resistance, and survival in a poignant narrative. Delve into the moral dilemmas faced by Vianne and Isabelle during the German occupation.
