117 pages • 3 hours read
Alan GratzA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Michael wonders, in a time of war, “How did you decide who to sacrifice and who to save?” (86). Does Michael ever reach a definitive answer to his question, and if so, what is his response? Why is Michael’s question so difficult to answer, and so important to the novel’s narrative?
Michael develops two important friendships throughout the novel: one with the British pilot Simon, and another with his fellow student Fritz. Compare and contrast these friendships. How do these relationships influence Michael’s character development throughout the novel?
The author incorporates real historical incidents throughout the novel, such as Kristallnacht, the drafting of 17-year-old Germans, and dialogue from Hitler’s actual speeches. Discuss how these historical elements influence the plot, themes, and characterization of the novel.
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By Alan Gratz