Explain the view Vasily held about Jewish men regarding their bravery. How does Alicia respond to this generalization? Who was correct? Use specific instances from the novel to support your answer.

Vasily did not believe that Jewish men were courageous. His view on the Jews was steeped in "the attitudes and prejudices of old Russia". He did however describe Kola and his sons as exceptions to this.... he said they "fight like lions".

Alicia disagreed but kept her opinion to herself. Vasily had notes that Kola stayed with his unit even after being wounded three times. Vasily said, "He acted as though he were driven by the devil himself." Alicia noted that she wanted to tell Vasily that Kola was not driven by the devil, but rather, by his hatred for the Germans who'd murdered his mother and sisters..... that he wanted to destroy the "evil", but she stayed silent, as their was a private grief.