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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the narrator's father confess?

2. Who clears the snow?

3. What does Friedrich's father ask him?

4. Where do Friedrich and the narrator go in the department store?

5. Who lives above the narrator's family?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator describe the Jewish Sabbath dinner at Friedrich's home? What does this indicate to the reader?

2. What does Friedrich do after the verdict and what is the judge's response? Why do you think Friedrich responds the way he does?

3. Who is Dr. Jakob Askenase and what is significant about the boys' visit there in this chapter?

4. What are the indications that the narrator's family is not as well to do as Friedich's family?

5. What is the first couple of indications in this book that this story will have something to do with the persecution of the Jewish people?

6. What indications are there that Friedrich and his mother enjoy a good relationship?

7. What does the speaker at the meeting talk about and what is Friedrich's reaction?

8. Describe how the window is broken. Do you think the narrator shows courage in taking responsibility for breaking the window or is lying never acceptable?

9. How does the teacher demonstrate his sympathy for the Jews and for Friedrich in particular?

10. Summarize what the teacher says about Jewish history.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter named "Grandfather," Grandfather inspects the hands before he will shake them and the bottoms of his shoes for proper polishing. He assumes the position at the head of the table and never fails to remind Father of his failure to take care of his family. Answer of the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How does the Grandfather attempt to control his son and his son's family? Give specific examples.

2. What do you think is the main reason for this attempt at control?

3. How do you think the grandfather's personality might be a metaphor for the "personality" of the Nazi regime?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter titled "The Festival," the rabbi reminds Friedrich, who is 13, that he alone is now responsible before God for his actions. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What is a Bar Mitzvah?

2. Why do you think the Jews celebrate this ceremony? Is it still celebrated today?

3. Do you think a boy of 13 is ready to be solely responsible for his own actions and decisions? Why or why not?

4. The narrator is astonished by Friedrich's wisdom. Do you think this wisdom is gained partially through the fire of persecution?

Essay Topic 3

The chapter titled "The Pogrom" is probably a very difficult one for many readers, not only because it is the first instance of physical harm done to a character but also because of the narrator's seeming betrayal of his Jewish friends. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research and explain the topic of mob psychology and how this applies to the narrator's participation in the destruction.

2. What is a pogrom? Research the history of pogroms and cite some of the most well-known ones. Have they always been against Jews? Why do you think otherwise sane and good people participate in a pogrom?

3. Could you ever imagine yourself participating in the kind of activities that take place in this chapter? Not necessarily against the Jews, but against some group of people with whom you feel uncomfortable or threatened. Write an essay about this topic.

(see the answer keys)

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