4. Under whose rule was Palestine since the 1930's, what kind of people was the population, how did they get along and how did the residents feel about themselves after World War II?

5. What would a current student of the Middle East find strange about Palestine in the late 1940's?

6. With what was Elias suspected of doing by Zionist soldiers and what was the final outcome of that accusation?

7. What did Elias begin to do after so many people were taken from the village of Gish? What did he believe about the situation?

8. How did Elias feel about school and where else did he learn what he considered important?

9. What did a second Supreme Court rule about the town of Biram and what happened after that ruling?

10. What type of journal did Elias begin when he was at school? How long did this journal last?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Singled Out," it is the end of 1949, and things had begun to change somewhat. The new Zionist landowners were unschooled in the proper cultivation of the orchards and needed to employ native Palestinians to care for them. Discuss one the following:

1. Compare and contrast Michael's reaction to working in his own orchards as hired help with that of Elias' reaction. Which reaction is more like to how you would feel? Which seems psychologically healthier? Which seems more in line with the doctrines of Christianity?

2. In this same chapter, it states that other villagers left for Haifa, hoping to secure better jobs in the new factories being built by the Jews. What is the irony in both this situation and in that of the former orchard owners working as hired hands in their orchards?

3. How do you think the Jewish families who steal the Palestinian lands justify such actions? Is the land stolen? Or paid for by fair market value? Even if the land is paid for, if the villager does not want to sell but is forced to do so, it that a fair exchange?

Essay Topic 2

Elias found himself seeking out longer periods of solitude, talking to Jesus and praying for the safe return of the village men and boys. It was during this time that he began to feel that the message from Jesus was peace, and he offered himself to that end, if he could be of use. Discuss the following:

1. Most governments and individuals profess to desire peace, yet it seems almost impossible to obtain. What is the reason for the discrepancy between wanting peace and it not happening?

2. Are there some people who really do not want peace? Discuss fully both with examples from the book and other situations.

3. If the world were totally peaceful, would it be as interesting? Why or why not? Discuss fully both with examples from the book and other situations.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of violence throughout Blood Brothers. Include the following: Is any of the violence justified, necessary, or gratuitous? Is it motivated by greed, hate, revenge, or a form of projection?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of forgiveness throughout Blood Brothers. Include the following: Is it a realistic concept for this situation? Does the forgiven have to return forgiveness? How could true forgiveness change the Middle East situation?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of religion throughout Blood Brothers. Include the following: How does religion influence the actions of the people/groups in the book? Is religion generally seen as a positive thing to embrace? Can people of different religions live together peacefully? Is this demonstrated in the book? How? When?

(see the answer keys)

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