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Parallel Journeys – Character & Plot Development

Keep notes on the characters and what happens in their lives during the following time periods. The book flips back and forth from one character to the other as the chapters change.

Alfons Heck – a young German boy

Helen Waterford – a young Jewish woman, married with a child

Mid-1930s Chapters 1 - 2

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______Late 1930s chapters 3 – 4

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1938 –> 1944 chapters 5 – 8

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______1942 –> mid 1944 chapters 9 - 12

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______mid 1944 -> April 1945 chapters 13 - 17

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______April 1945 -> 1950 chapters 17 - 22

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Epilogue ______

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Postscript______

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______PJ Chapters Notes Chapters 1 – 4 Characters o Alfons Heck o Helen Waterford Germany post WWI Hitler’s rise to power Discrimination/Persecution of the Jews o In the German classroom o Around the world o On Kristallnacht The beginning of WWII Chapters 5 – 8 Hitler Youth o Parents’ perspective o Children’s perspective Hitler’s invasion of other countries: Sitzkreig vs. Blitzkreig o Poland – What did he gain? o France and the other Low Countries o Russia Helen & Siegfried o Effect of the German invasion of the Netherlands on Helen and Siegfried o What happened to Doris? o What happened to Siegfried’s mother? Final Solution – Hitler’s plan pushes forward o What happened to the Jews in Nazi- occupied countries in Europe PJ Chapters Notes Chapters 9 – 12

What made 1942 to early 1944 so great for Alfons? What led to his “transformation?” Who was Rabbit? Who was Herman Goring? What challenges did Germany face? Explain Judenrein – what steps were taken to achieve this goal? What was a Righteous Gentile? What plan did Helen and Siegfried make? What is the RAF? What did this group do to German cities? What happened to young German pilots? What did the Jews in Warsaw do? Who was Jo Vis? What happened to him? What complaint did German generals have with the killing of the Jews? When and what was D day? What did Siegfried give up on the train ride? PJ Chapters Notes Chapters 13 – 17 What, when was D Day? What was the West Wall? Describe what it was like when Helen and Siegfried arrived at the camp. What is the “selection process?” Who was the “beautiful devil?” What was the importance of shoes? Describe the barracks. Describe the revolt at the camp. Why was the German fighting force described as pathetic? What advice did Leiwitz give Alfons? When was Germany’s all-out attack? What happened in Wittlich on Christmas 1944? Describe Helen’s new camp and her job. What was the purpose of the death marches? What about Helen’s behavior scared her? Why did the women lose hope? Describe what the Russians found when they arrived at Auschwitz. Why was Alfons sent to the town of Spang? Describe what Alfons found when he returned to Wittlich. How did Alfons’ aunt protect him? How did Alfons’ knowledge of English benefit him? How did Oma feel about the end of the war? How is her reaction different from Alfons’ reaction? Chapters 18 – 22  What problems did the newly released prisoners face?  How were Becky & Helen treated at the DP (Displaced Persons) camp?  Describe a typical camp survivor’s welcome home.  What was Dwight Eisenhower’s reaction to the work and concentration camps?  How did Alfons feel about Adolf Hitler after the war ended?  How did Helen feel about the move to America?  Explain why many camp survivors were reluctant to talk about their experiences at the camp.