Chapter 3, Stillenstadt, Part 1 Summary

Benjamin chooses exile from Zemyock after the attack and settles in Germany, believing that to be a German Jew will bring him contentment. Berlin disappoints him. He finds work as a tailor, sleeps among the many homeless in the synagogue and wonders at the cruelty the Jews show toward one another. One of the homeless is Yankel the Balician, a young man whose hands tremble like those of an old man. Benjamin offer to share his meals with Yankel, who is sometimes friendly, other times nasty. Benjamin labels such behavior "Berlin madness," something he begins to see in all those around him. They unsuccessfully try to provoke Benjamin into insulting just one of them.

Chapter 3, Stillenstadt, Part 1 Analysis

As did his father before him, Benjamin seeks to leave Zemyock and chooses Berlin, but Berlin is a place of madmen...