Podcast
Questions and Answers
What skill does Mila possess that establishes her background before the war?
What skill does Mila possess that establishes her background before the war?
- She is a professional writer.
- She is a skilled teacher.
- She is an accomplished pianist. (correct)
- She is a trained nurse.
How does Mila's relationship with her husband change after his return from the war?
How does Mila's relationship with her husband change after his return from the war?
- Their communication improves significantly.
- They become more distant due to his experiences. (correct)
- They grow closer than ever before.
- She begins to resent him for leaving.
What motivates Genek to volunteer for the Polish Home Army?
What motivates Genek to volunteer for the Polish Home Army?
- An urge to escape the labor camp.
- A desire for adventure.
- A hope for personal recognition.
- A need to protect his family. (correct)
How does Mila manage to keep her daughter safe during the war?
How does Mila manage to keep her daughter safe during the war?
What challenge does Genek face regarding his Jewish identity?
What challenge does Genek face regarding his Jewish identity?
What is Mila's initial reaction to motherhood?
What is Mila's initial reaction to motherhood?
What does the war ultimately take a toll on besides Mila?
What does the war ultimately take a toll on besides Mila?
What emotion does Mila experience upon the revelation of Selim's survival?
What emotion does Mila experience upon the revelation of Selim's survival?
What is Jakob's main profession at the beginning of the story?
What is Jakob's main profession at the beginning of the story?
What is Bella's reaction when Jakob goes to fight in the war?
What is Bella's reaction when Jakob goes to fight in the war?
How do Jakob and Bella respond to the challenges they face during the war?
How do Jakob and Bella respond to the challenges they face during the war?
What significant life event does Bella endure during the story?
What significant life event does Bella endure during the story?
What drives Jakob to propose to Bella despite the challenges they face?
What drives Jakob to propose to Bella despite the challenges they face?
What do Jakob and Bella ultimately do after the war?
What do Jakob and Bella ultimately do after the war?
What challenge does Genek face on his journey to reunite with his family?
What challenge does Genek face on his journey to reunite with his family?
How does Halina's early career begin in the story?
How does Halina's early career begin in the story?
What critical action does Halina take to protect her family?
What critical action does Halina take to protect her family?
What is one hardship Halina faces during the war?
What is one hardship Halina faces during the war?
What significant journey does Halina undertake while pregnant?
What significant journey does Halina undertake while pregnant?
Which character is known for remaining resolute and determined to reunite her family?
Which character is known for remaining resolute and determined to reunite her family?
What was Addy's profession before joining the army?
What was Addy's profession before joining the army?
Why did Addy and Eliska break off their engagement?
Why did Addy and Eliska break off their engagement?
How does Addy feel when he loses contact with his family?
How does Addy feel when he loses contact with his family?
What demonstrates the importance of Addy's family to his self-identity?
What demonstrates the importance of Addy's family to his self-identity?
What significant act does Addy perform after reaching Brazil?
What significant act does Addy perform after reaching Brazil?
Which characteristic does NOT describe Addy?
Which characteristic does NOT describe Addy?
What is Nechuma Kurc's primary concern at the beginning of the story?
What is Nechuma Kurc's primary concern at the beginning of the story?
How does Sol Kurc demonstrate his character throughout the war?
How does Sol Kurc demonstrate his character throughout the war?
What imaginary belief does Felicia hold about her father?
What imaginary belief does Felicia hold about her father?
What emotion primarily drives Nechuma's actions throughout the story?
What emotion primarily drives Nechuma's actions throughout the story?
What aspect of Felicia's upbringing contributes to her feelings of fear and confusion?
What aspect of Felicia's upbringing contributes to her feelings of fear and confusion?
How does Nechuma respond when her worst fears about the war are realized?
How does Nechuma respond when her worst fears about the war are realized?
Which of the following best describes Sol Kurc's demeanor?
Which of the following best describes Sol Kurc's demeanor?
At the end of the novel, what does Nechuma reflect on regarding her family?
At the end of the novel, what does Nechuma reflect on regarding her family?
What significant traumatic event does Herta experience during her childhood?
What significant traumatic event does Herta experience during her childhood?
How does Herta cope with the hardships she faces after the war?
How does Herta cope with the hardships she faces after the war?
What decision does Herta make when her husband Genek is taken by Soviet police?
What decision does Herta make when her husband Genek is taken by Soviet police?
What happens to Adam Eichenwald's family during the war?
What happens to Adam Eichenwald's family during the war?
What role does Adam take on during the war?
What role does Adam take on during the war?
What is the significance of Herta stating that the Kurcs 'were the lucky ones'?
What is the significance of Herta stating that the Kurcs 'were the lucky ones'?
What traumatic experience does Herta endure while in the labor camp?
What traumatic experience does Herta endure while in the labor camp?
How does Adam help Halina's family during the war?
How does Adam help Halina's family during the war?
What issue arises between Eliska and Addy during their relationship?
What issue arises between Eliska and Addy during their relationship?
How does Caroline differ from Eliska in her approach to Addy's concerns?
How does Caroline differ from Eliska in her approach to Addy's concerns?
What role does Caroline play in Addy's life after they marry?
What role does Caroline play in Addy's life after they marry?
What ultimately leads Addy to break his engagement with Eliska?
What ultimately leads Addy to break his engagement with Eliska?
What background does Caroline have in relation to her family history?
What background does Caroline have in relation to her family history?
What is Eliska's perspective on talking about family matters with Addy?
What is Eliska's perspective on talking about family matters with Addy?
What is the central theme of the novel?
What is the central theme of the novel?
How does Addy cope with his separation from his family?
How does Addy cope with his separation from his family?
What motivates Genek to volunteer for the Polish Army?
What motivates Genek to volunteer for the Polish Army?
Which character refuses to endanger her family by confessing her identity?
Which character refuses to endanger her family by confessing her identity?
What does Mila attempt to do for her daughter?
What does Mila attempt to do for her daughter?
What role does music play for Addy during his family’s absence?
What role does music play for Addy during his family’s absence?
What was the primary goal of the Holocaust as mentioned in the context?
What was the primary goal of the Holocaust as mentioned in the context?
What challenge did the Kurc family face daily during the Holocaust?
What challenge did the Kurc family face daily during the Holocaust?
How did Nechuma reflect on her family's survival during the Passover Seder?
How did Nechuma reflect on her family's survival during the Passover Seder?
What long-term effects did the trauma of the Holocaust have on Felicia?
What long-term effects did the trauma of the Holocaust have on Felicia?
What reflects the sheer improbability of survival for Jewish families during the Holocaust?
What reflects the sheer improbability of survival for Jewish families during the Holocaust?
What phrase from Felicia emphasizes the miraculous nature of their survival?
What phrase from Felicia emphasizes the miraculous nature of their survival?
What psychological impact did the struggle for survival have on Mila?
What psychological impact did the struggle for survival have on Mila?
What does the story suggest about the nature of the Kurc family's survival?
What does the story suggest about the nature of the Kurc family's survival?
What represents the comfort and security of home for Sol and Nechuma at the beginning of the story?
What represents the comfort and security of home for Sol and Nechuma at the beginning of the story?
How do Bella and Herta find emotional healing after their loss?
How do Bella and Herta find emotional healing after their loss?
What happens to the Kurcs when the Germans take over Radom?
What happens to the Kurcs when the Germans take over Radom?
What does the act of playing the piano together signify for the Kurc family?
What does the act of playing the piano together signify for the Kurc family?
What signifies Brazil as the new home for the Kurc family?
What signifies Brazil as the new home for the Kurc family?
What is a key theme reflected in the title We Were the Lucky Ones?
What is a key theme reflected in the title We Were the Lucky Ones?
What role does the concept of home play in the Kurc family's journey?
What role does the concept of home play in the Kurc family's journey?
What distinguishes the ghetto from the Kurcs' apartment in Radom?
What distinguishes the ghetto from the Kurcs' apartment in Radom?
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Study Notes
Addy Kurc
- Middle son of the Kurc family, originally from Poland, works as an engineer in France.
- Pursues a career in music composition but is unable to return home due to WWII.
- Joins Polish division of French Army as a refugee and later escapes to Brazil.
- Gets engaged to Eliska during the ship journey to Brazil, but they ultimately break off the engagement due to differing priorities.
- Marries Caroline in Brazil and has a daughter named Kathleen; helps his family emigrate to Brazil.
- Talented musician and charming personality; suffers emotional turmoil from losing contact with his family.
- His family's survival brings him renewed hope and self-identity.
Mila Kurc Kajler
- Elder daughter of the Kurc family, college-educated in music, and a skilled pianist.
- Initially overwhelmed as a new mother to baby Felicia; relies on help from her mother and maid.
- Grows stronger during wartime, displaying resilience as her husband Selim goes missing.
- Sacrifices personal comfort to ensure the safety of her daughter, showing great maternal instinct.
- Emotional turmoil is evident upon learning about Selim’s survival and the impact of the war on their family dynamics.
Genek Kurc
- Eldest son, a lawyer, and skilled speaker who faces antisemitic discrimination in his profession.
- Strives to protect his family despite being taken to a Siberian labor camp with his wife and child.
- Volunteers for the Polish Home Army to fight against oppressors and to improve his family's circumstances.
- Experiences extreme hardship but finds indescribable joy when reunited with his family.
Halina Kurc
- Youngest child, fiercely independent and rebellious; works in a medical lab.
- Protects her family by acquiring false documents to prevent their deportation to concentration camps.
- Faces severe hardships, including imprisonment and starvation, yet remains resolute.
- Ultimately leads her family out of Poland and to Italy, showcasing her strength during adversity.
Jakob Kurc
- Youngest son in the Kurc family, gentle and soft-spoken, studies law.
- Plans to marry Bella but is interrupted by the war, facing challenges that reshape their lives.
- Shows resilience as he helps Bella cope with her grief and depression after family losses during the war.
Nechuma Kurc
- Matriarch of the Kurc family, proud and devoted to her children, who run a fabric business together.
- Struggles to maintain hope for her family's safety as the war escalates.
- Ultimately marvels at the survival of all her children amidst horrific circumstances.
Sol Kurc
- Patriarch of the family, optimistic and hardworking, dedicated to providing for his loved ones.
- Experiences emotional strain during the war yet finds gratitude after reuniting with his family post-conflict.
Felicia Kurc
- Infant daughter of Mila and Selim, grows up amidst war's fear and confusion.
- Constructs fantasies about her missing father, reflecting the psychological impact of separation on children.
Herta Seifert Kurc
- Genek's wife, shares emotional and physical struggles during their time in a labor camp.
- Successfully gives birth under dire conditions; undergoes significant trauma from the war but ultimately finds joy in her family.
Adam Eichenwald
- Initially a medical student and later becomes a member of the Underground resistance in Lvov.
- Develops a deep bond with Halina, supporting her family through forged documents and ultimately marrying her.
Eliska Lowbeer
- Wealthy young Jewish woman from Czechoslovakia, initially engaged to Addy but unable to understand his emotional plight regarding family.
- Represents the struggle between personal happiness and familial obligations.
Caroline Martin Kurc
- American embassy worker in Rio who marries Addy and supports his quest to locate his family.
- Her connections and assistance play a crucial role in reuniting the Kurc family in Brazil.
Themes
The Power of Family
- Central theme emphasizing the dedication and resilience of the Kurc family members during tumultuous times.
The Importance of Home
- Home signifies safety and belonging; characters navigate loss and find new homes, culminating in Brazil.
Survivor's Luck During the Holocaust
- The novel highlights the unpredictable luck that allowed the Kurc family to survive numerous harrowing experiences.
The Struggle to Survive in War-Torn Europe
- Characters face daily challenges including deprivation, anxiety over loved ones, and loss, illustrating the trauma of war.
The Impact of Survival on the Family
- Reflects on the improbability of all family members surviving, marking their story as one of luck amidst chaos and trauma.
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